(55q) Modeling and Analysis of Flammable Gas Dispersion and Deflagration from Offshore Platform Blowout

The operational safety of offshore platform is challenged by a series of adverse factors including harsh environmental conditions and process accidents. Blowout is a type of major accident that may result in catastrophic consequences. This paper uses a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to simulate the blowout accident on an offshore drilling platform. The simulation includes the dispersion of flammable gas and the resulting deflagration based on dispersion results. Through the modeling, the blowout gas dispersion processes under different wind speeds and directions are analyzed, and a deflagration scenario due to the ignition of flammable gas is predicted in which the impacts of jet fire, overpressure and heat radiation are assessed. The simulations indicate that wind speed and direction have a great impact on the dispersion behavior of blowout gas. During the deflagration, the maximum overpressure is 280 KPa, the jet fire mainly distributes in the derrick, and the maximum radiation flux of thermal radiation field is 2300 W/m². Essentially, the outcomes from simulations could help to conduct a prior risk assessment and make an emergency response plan. Additionally, it could give a reference for the inherent safety design of offshore platform to mitigate the unexpected consequences due to blowout accidents.