Study on Separation Distance Determination of LNG Filling Station on Water

In China, more and more ships use LNG as fuel. So, more LNG filling station on water will be constructed in the future. In order to assure the safety of the community around the LNG filling station on water, the appropriate separation distance should be maintained between LNG filling station on water and community. In this paper, according to the regulation of NFPA 59A, the numerical simulation was conducted to calculate the separation distance between LNG filling station on water and buildings around it. The scenario of LNG tank and filling arm on pontoon leakage were considered. The commercial software FLACS was used to calculate the LNG diffusion behavior and independent development software LNGFHR was used to calculate the LNG fire thermal radiation. The extended distance of concentration of methane in air of 50 percent of the lower flammability limit (LFL) and LFL were obtained. Moreover, the affected distance of different heat flux, including 1.5kW/m², 5kW/m², 9kW/m² and 13kW/m², were obtained too. According to the results of LNG diffusion distance and thermal radiation affected distance, the separation distance between LNG filling station on water and buildings around it, such as important public buildings, bridge, wharf, railway, etc, were determined.

Key words: LNG filling station on water, separation distance, LNG diffusion, LNG fire