Risk assessment associated with Oil Storage Tanks. A case study: Buncefield accident

Authors

  • Essa Shawail Department of chemical engineering, university of Sirte, Libya
  • Faraj Zaid 1Department of chemical engineering, university of Sirte, Libya
  • Khaled Osman Surman College of Science and Technology, Libya
  • Magdi Buaisha The General Directorate of Inspection and Measurement -National Oil Corporation (NOC), Tripoli, Libya

Keywords:

Storage Tanks, risk assessment, combustion, explosions, crude oil

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the global economy has led to an increased focus on energy reserve strategies and production necessities within the petrochemical industry. As a result, the scale of petrochemical storage tank farms has expanded significantly, leading to increased capacity and more intensive development efforts. In recent years, several severe incidents—such as oil spills, explosions, and fires linked to storage tanks—have underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation into the combustion and explosion dynamics of these facilities. This paper examines the mechanisms of explosive combustion in environments involving crude oil tanks, offering an extensive review of both domestic and international research advancements in the areas of crude oil explosions and combustion. Furthermore, it discusses several widely recognized risk assessment methodologies relevant to managing storage tank risks. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations, complemented by simulations of accident consequences, can provide vital technical support for safety management and emergency response initiatives. To mitigate the risk of future incidents, it is crucial to draw lessons from previous accidents, enhance theoretical research, and implement effective safety protocols. This strategy will not only improve the safety of national energy reserves but also promote the overall integrity of the petrochemical industry

References

References

F. Lees, Lees’ Loss Prevention in the Process Industries: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2012.

T. A. Kletz and P. Amyotte, Process Plants: A Handbook for Inherently Safer Design, Second Edition, 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2010. doi: 10.1201/9781439804568.

V. Villa, N. Paltrinieri, F. Khan, and V. Cozzani, “Towards dynamic risk analysis: A review of the risk assessment approach and its limitations in the chemical process industry,” Saf. Sci., vol. 89, pp. 77–93, Nov. 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.ssci.2016.06.002.

F. Stoessel, Thermal Safety of Chemical Processes: Risk Assessment and Process Design. John Wiley & Sons, 2021.

W. E. Baker, P. A. Cox, J. J. Kulesz, R. A. Strehlow, and P. S. Westine, Explosion Hazards and Evaluation. Elsevier, 2012.

T. Abbasi and S. A. Abbasi, “The boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE): Mechanism, consequence assessment, management,” J. Hazard. Mater., vol. 141, no. 3, pp. 489–519, 2007.

J. I. Chang and C.-C. Lin, “A study of storage tank accidents,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 51–59, 2006.

T. Kletz, “HAZOP and HAZAN: Identifying and Assessing Process Industry Hazards.. 1999,” Rugby UK Inst. Chem. Eng. IChemE.

F. Lees, Lees’ Loss prevention in the process industries: Hazard identification, assessment and control. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2012. Accessed: Feb. 10, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://books.google.com/books?hl=ar&lr=&id=73M6aqqy-uUC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Lees,+F.+P.+(2005).+Lee%E2%80%99s+Loss+Prevention+in+the+Process+Industries:+Hazard+Identification,+Assessment,+and+Control+(3rd+ed).+Elsevier,+Oxford.&ots=_Fd507PzlX&sig=DYk97AmSt8Hj-j-7sAaZYq0azXc

F. I. Khan and S. A. Abbasi, “MAXCRED–a new software package for rapid risk assessment in chemical process industries,” Environ. Model. Softw., vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 11–25, 1998.

F. I. Khan and S. A. Abbasi, “The world’s worst industrial accident of the 1990s what happened and what might have been: A quantitative study,” Process Saf. Prog., vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 135–145, Sep. 1999, doi: 10.1002/prs.680180304.

T. Abbasi, E. V. Ramasamy, F. Khan, and S. A. Abbasi, Regional EIA and risk assessment in a fast developing country. University of Tasmania, 2012. Accessed: Feb. 10, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/book/Regional_EIA_and_risk_assessment_in_a_fast_developing_country/23042954

S. M. Tauseef, T. Abbasi, and S. A. Abbasi, “Development of a new chemical process-industry accident database to assist in past accident analysis,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 426–431, 2011.

S. M. Tauseef, D. Rashtchian, T. Abbasi, and S. A. Abbasi, “A method for simulation of vapour cloud explosions based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD),” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 638–647, 2011.

T. Kletz, Learning from accidents. Routledge, 2007. Accessed: Mar. 03, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://api.taylorfrancis.com/content/books/mono/download?identifierName=doi&identifierValue=10.4324/9780080510064&type=googlepdf

G. Wells and G. L. Wells, Major hazards and their management. IChemE, 1997. Accessed: Feb. 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://books.google.com/books?hl=ar&lr=&id=xUSKzt5tKJUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR10&dq=Wells,+G.+(1997):+Major+Hazard+and+Their+Management&ots=r3iE4hEfBJ&sig=N1uj4-gPsfPmCXGSX40UMmoWNNc

F. Lees, Lees’ Loss Prevention in the Process Industries: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2012.

B. Eskenazi, M. Warner, P. Brambilla, S. Signorini, J. Ames, and P. Mocarelli, “The Seveso accident: A look at 40 years of health research and beyond,” Environ. Int., vol. 121, pp. 71–84, Dec. 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.051.

M. Nicholas and A. Whitfield, “The Buncefield Accident and the Environmental Consequences for Fuel Storage Sites and other Sites in the UK, Regulated under the Seveso Directive,” Chem. Eng. Trans., May 2013, Accessed: Feb. 08, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Buncefield-Accident-and-the-Environmental-for-Nicholas-Whitfield/aee912c7880237f25d1c950295643b75f6e3d202

A. Usher, “The Flixborough Disaster,” Med. Leg. J., vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 84–102, Sep. 1979, doi: 10.1177/002581727904700303.

IChemE, “Flixborough 50 Years On: Lessons for Managers and Engineers Today.” Accessed: Feb. 08, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/features/flixborough-50-years-on-lessons-for-managers-and-engineers-today/

P. A. Bertazzi, “Long-term effects of chemical disasters. Lessons and results from Seveso,” Sci. Total Environ., vol. 106, no. 1–2, pp. 5–20, 1991.

Fire Journal, March 1982, pp. 13–14

J.-F. Lechaudel and Y. Mouilleau, “Assessment of an accidental vapour cloud explosion. A case study: Saint-Herblain, October the 7th 1992, France,” in 8. International Symposium Loss Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Process Industry, 1995, pp. 377–388. Accessed: Feb. 10, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ineris.hal.science/ineris-00969645/

“consequences-plant-details.pdf.” Accessed: Feb. 10, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.icheme.org/media/7155/consequences-plant-details.pdf

H. Persson and A. Lönnermark, “Tank Fires-Review of fire incidents 1951-2003,” 2004, Accessed: Feb. 12, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:962266

T. Watanabe, “Damage to oil refinery plants and a building on compacted ground by the Niigata earthquake and their restoration,” Soils Found., vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 86–99, 1966.

Health and S. Commission, Buncefield Major Incident Investigation. 2006.

J. E. S. Venart, “Buncefield: cause and consequences,” in ESREL 2010 Conference, Greece, 2010, pp. 5–9.

M. S. Mannan, “The Buncefield explosion and fire–lessons learned,” Process Saf. Prog., vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 138–142, Jun. 2011, doi: 10.1002/prs.10444.

J. I. Chang and C.-C. Lin, “A study of storage tank accidents,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 51–59, Jan. 2006, doi: 10.1016/j.jlp.2005.05.015.

K. Sotoodeh, Storage Tanks Selection, Design, Testing, Inspection, and Maintenance: Emission Management and Environmental Protection: Emission Management and Environmental Protection. Elsevier, 2024.

P. A. Carson, The safe handling of chemicals in industry. Longman Scientific and Technical, 1988.

S.-Y. Huang and M. S. Mannan, “Technical aspects of storage tank loss prevention,” Process Saf. Prog., vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 28–36, 2013.

R. E. Sanders, “Treat Tanks with Care,” Chemical Processing. Accessed: Feb. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/processing-equipment/fluid-handling/article/11372951/storage-tank-safety-treat-tanks-with-care-chemical-processing

https://whatispiping.com/storage-tank-failure-examples-causes-and-prevention/,” What is Piping. Accessed: Feb. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://whatispiping.com/storage-tank-failure-examples-causes-and-prevention/

“5 Most Common Causes of Storage Tank Failures | Concord Tank.” Accessed: Feb. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.concordtank.com/blog/5-most-common-causes-of-storage-tank-failures

B. M. I. I. Board, “Buncefield major incident investigation,” Initial Rep. Health Saf. Comm. Environ. Agency Investig. Explos. Fires Buncefield Oil Storage Transf. Depot Hemel Hempstead 11th Dec., pp. 4–203, 2005.

H. Fire and R. Service, Buncefield: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Review of the Fire Response. The Stationery Office, 2006. Accessed: Feb. 08, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://books.google.com/books?hl=ar&lr=&id=5rlIM0Q1E64C&oi=fnd&pg=PA10&dq=Buncefield:+Hertfordshire+Fire+and+Rescue+Service%E2%80%99s+%E2%80%9CReview+of+the+Fire+Response%E2%80%9D.&ots=gbn0SI3Tfk&sig=axMo0Xd1lr-rMKt3jAzhxR7zpY4

“Storage Tank Failure | PDF | Oil Refinery | Tanks.” Accessed: Feb. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.scribd.com/document/469623154/Storage-Tank-Failure

J. R. Taylor, Risk analysis for process plant, pipelines and transport. Routledge, 2003. Accessed: Feb. 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203474914/risk-analysis-process-plant-pipelines-transport-taylor

P. R. Roberge, Corrosion Inspection and Monitoring. John Wiley & Sons, 2007.

K. Kidam and M. Hurme, “Analysis of equipment failures as contributors to chemical process accidents,” Process Saf. Environ. Prot., vol. 91, no. 1, pp. 61–78, Jan. 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.psep.2012.02.001.

M. I. I. Board, “Buncefield investigation,” 2006.

I. Baran and G. Lackner, “Analysis of Corrosion Processes and Leaks in Aboveground Storage Tanks with AE Monitoring,” in 30th European Conference on Acoustic Emission Testing &7th International Conference on Acoustic Emission, University of Granada, 2012, pp. 12–15. Accessed: Feb. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ndt.net/article/ewgae2012/content/papers/126_Baran.pdf

P. G. Cirimello, J. L. Otegui, D. Ramajo, and G. Carfi, “A major leak in a crude oil tank: Predictable and unexpected root causes,” Eng. Fail. Anal., vol. 100, pp. 456–469, 2019.

K. Sarvestani, O. Ahmadi, and M. J. Alenjareghi, “LPG Storage Tank Accidents: Initiating Events, Causes, Scenarios, and Consequences,” J. Fail. Anal. Prev., vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 1305–1314, Aug. 2021, doi: 10.1007/s11668-021-01174-y.

M. G. Zabetakis, “Flammability characteristics of combustible gases and vapors,” Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (United States), 1964. Accessed: Mar. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7328370

A. Kumar, “Guidelines for evaluating the characteristics of vapor cloud explosions, flash fires, and bleves. Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) of the AIChE, Published by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, N.Y. (1994), 387 pages, [ISBN:0-8169-0474-X], U.S. List Price: $150,” Environ. Prog., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. S11–S12, 1996, doi: 10.1002/ep.670150107.

S. M. Tauseef, T. Abbasi, and S. A. Abbasi, “Risks of Fire and Explosion Associated With the Increasing Use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas,” J. Fail. Anal. Prev., vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 322–333, Aug. 2010, doi: 10.1007/s11668-010-9360-9.

A. W. Cox, F. P. Lees, and M. L. Ang, Classification of hazardous locations. IChemE, 1990. Accessed: Feb. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://books.google.com/books?hl=ar&lr=&id=Bkud4RbL0DsC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=Cox,+A.W.,+Lees,+F.P.+and+Ang,+M.L.,+1990,+Classification+of+hazardous+locations,+I.+Chem.+E.&ots=dmMB2YuW8I&sig=5Bh0wZDhulODCprLktS_yn4qug4

S. & W. E. Corporation, Risk Assessment and Risk Management for the Chemical Process Industry. John Wiley & Sons, 1991.

F. Lees, Lees’ Loss Prevention in the Process Industries: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2012.

“The Buncefield Investigation: the Government and Competent Authority’s response November 2008,” GOV.UK. Accessed: Feb. 08, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-buncefield-investigation-the-government-and-competent-authoritys-response-november-2008

I. Herbert, “The UK Buncefield incident – The view from a UK risk assessment engineer,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 913–920, Nov. 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.jlp.2010.09.001.

B. M. I. I. Board, “Buncefield major incident investigation,” Initial Rep. Health Saf. Comm. Environ. Agency Investig. Explos. Fires Buncefield Oil Storage Transf. Depot Hemel Hempstead 11th Dec., pp. 4–203, 2005.

N. Paltrinieri, N. Dechy, E. Salzano, M. Wardman, and V. Cozzani, “Lessons Learned from Toulouse and Buncefield Disasters: From Risk Analysis Failures to the Identification of Atypical Scenarios Through a Better Knowledge Management,” Risk Anal., vol. 32, no. 8, pp. 1404–1419, Aug. 2012, doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01749.x.

B. M. I. I. Board, “Explosion mechanism advisory group report,” 2007, Accessed: Feb. 08, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.icheme.org/media/10696/buncefield-explosion-mechanism-advisory-group-report.pdf

D. Bradley, G. A. Chamberlain, and D. D. Drysdale, “Large vapour cloud explosions, with particular reference to that at Buncefield,” Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Math. Phys. Eng. Sci., vol. 370, no. 1960, pp. 544–566, Feb. 2012, doi: 10.1098/rsta.2011.0419.

“Fire Safety Analysis: Buncefield Oil Depot Incident Report.” Accessed: Feb. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://desklib.com/study-documents/buncefield-accident-report/

R. Mohan et al., “The buncefield oil depot fire of 2005: potential air-pollution health impacts under alternative meteorological scenarios,” PLoS Curr., vol. 4, 2012, Accessed: Feb. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271948/

“Buncefield Explosion Mechanism Phase 1 - FABIG.” Accessed: Feb. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.fabig.com/publications-and-videos/fire-explosion-research-data/bem-phase-1/hse-rr718/

A. A. Véchot Moataz Nour, Solayman Kawsher, Mary Kay O’Connor, Tank, Dr Luc, “Case Study: Buncefield Fire What We Have Learned - ppt download.” Accessed: Feb. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://slideplayer.com/slide/12177900/

G. Atkinson and L. Cusco, “Buncefield: A violent, episodic vapour cloud explosion,” Process Saf. Environ. Prot., vol. 89, no. 6, pp. 360–370, 2011.

J. Gill, G. Atkinson, E. Cowpe, H. Phylaktou, and G. Andrews, “Experimental investigation of potential confined ignition sources for vapour cloud explosions,” Process Saf. Environ. Prot., vol. 135, pp. 187–206, 2020.

D. Bjerketvedt, J. R. Bakke, and K. van Wingerden, “Gas explosion handbook,” J. Hazard. Mater., vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 1–150, Jan. 1997, doi: 10.1016/S0304-3894(97)81620-2.

J. L. Woodward, Estimating the Flammable Mass of a Vapor Cloud. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.

“Mechanisms and occurrence of detonations in vapor cloud explosions - ScienceDirect.” Accessed: Feb. 24, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360128519300243

C. J. H. Van den Bosch and R. Weterings, Methods for the Calculation of Physical Effects: Due to Releases of Hazardous Materials (liquids and Gases),’yellow Book’. CPR 14E [in Two Parts]. Sdu Uitgevers, 1997.

D. M. Johnson, “The potential for vapour cloud explosions–Lessons from the Buncefield accident,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 921–927, 2010.

J. Gill, H. N. Phylaktou, G. Atkinson, G. E. Andrews, and E. Cowpe, “Explosions in Electrical Control Boxes as a Potential ‘Nested Bang-Box’ Mechanism for Severe Vapour Cloud Explosions,” in Proceedings of the Ninth International Seminar on Fire and Explosion Hazards., Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 2019, pp. 356–365. Accessed: Feb. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/157366/

“Fire And Blast Information Group (FABIG), The Buncefield... - الباحث العلمي من Google.” Accessed: Mar. 10, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=ar&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Fire+And+Blast+Information+Group+%28FABIG%29%2C+The+Buncefield+explosion+mechanism%2C+Technical+Meeting+n858%2C+1st+presentation%2C+Overpressure+and+directional+indicators%2C+Tam%2C+V.%2C+British+Petroleum%2C+London%2C+June+2009.&btnG=

J. R. Taylor, Risk analysis for process plant, pipelines and transport. Routledge, 2003. Accessed: Feb. 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203474914/risk-analysis-process-plant-pipelines-transport-taylor

S. W. Behie, S. Z. Halim, B. Efaw, T. M. O’Connor, and N. Quddus, “Guidance to improve the effectiveness of process safety management systems in operating facilities,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 68, p. 104257, 2020.

G. F. Li, E. A. Charles, and J. Congleton, “Effect of post weld heat treatment on stress corrosion cracking of a low alloy steel to stainless steel transition weld,” Corros. Sci., vol. 43, no. 10, pp. 1963–1983, 2001.

J. Mencík, Mechanics of Components with Treated or Coated Surfaces. Springer Science & Business Media, 2013.

S.-M. Park, A study of hydrogen and solidification cracking in steel weld metal related to solidification behavior. The Ohio State University, 1989. Accessed: Mar. 09, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://search.proquest.com/openview/6a74fe0820450e84ba35804e51fd3a46/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

M. J. Lovejoy, Magnetic Particle Inspection: A practical guide. Springer Science & Business Media, 1993.

R. H. Jones, “Stress-Corrosion Cracking,” Jan. 2003, doi: 10.31399/asm.hb.v13a.a0003633.

L. Popoola, A. Grema, G. Latinwo, B. Gutti, and A. Balogun, “Corrosion problems during oil and gas production and its mitigation,” Int. J. Ind. Chem., vol. 4, no. 1, p. 35, 2013, doi: 10.1186/2228-5547-4-35.

G. Koch, J. Varney, N. Thompson, O. Moghissi, M. Gould, and J. Payer, “International measures of prevention, application, and economics of corrosion technologies study,” NACE Int, vol. 216, no. 3, 2016.

P. A. Carson and C. J. Mumford, “The safe handling of chemicals in industry,” No Title, 1988, Accessed: Feb. 21, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1130000794380260864

K. Y. Choi and S. S. Kim, “Morphological analysis and classification of types of surface corrosion damage by digital image processing,” Corros. Sci., vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 1–15, Jan. 2005, doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2004.05.007.

N. B. S. Gloria, M. C. L. Areiza, I. V. J. Miranda, and J. M. A. Rebello, “Development of a magnetic sensor for detection and sizing of internal pipeline corrosion defects,” NDT E Int., vol. 42, no. 8, pp. 669–677, 2009.

V. S. Agarwala, P. L. Reed, and S. Ahmad, “Corrosion detection and monitoring-A review,” Nace Corros., p. NACE-00271, 2000.

R. G. Kelly, J. R. Scully, D. Shoesmith, and R. G. Buchheit, Electrochemical techniques in corrosion science and engineering. CRC Press, 2002. Accessed: Feb. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.1201/9780203909133/electrochemical-techniques-corrosion-science-engineering-robert-kelly-rudolph-buchheit-john-scully-david-shoesmith

J. E. Orth, “Corrosion coupon testing,” WATER Manag. Int., pp. 47–50, 1997.

L. Robinet and D. Thickett, “A New Methodology for Accelerated Corrosion Testing,” Stud. Conserv., vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 263–268, Dec. 2003, doi: 10.1179/sic.2003.48.4.263.

G. Hirschberg et al., “Accumulation of radioactive corrosion products on steel surfaces of VVER type nuclear reactors. I. 110mAg,” J. Nucl. Mater., vol. 265, no. 3, pp. 273–284, Mar. 1999, doi: 10.1016/S0022-3115(98)00656-4.

B. T. Bastian, N. Jaspreeth, S. K. Ranjith, and C. V. Jiji, “Visual inspection and characterization of external corrosion in pipelines using deep neural network,” NDT E Int., vol. 107, p. 102134, 2019.

B. M. I. I. Board, “Recommendations on the emergency preparedness for, response to and recovery from incidents,” Buncefield Major Incid. Investig. Board, 2007, Accessed: Feb. 19, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ecsconsultorias.com.br/wp-content/artigos_pdf/Buncefield_report_volume2b.pdf

B. M. I. I. Board, Recommendations on land use planning and the control of societal risk around major hazard sites. Buncefield Investigation, 2008. Accessed: Feb. 19, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ukopa.co.uk/pdfs/UKOPA-08-0063.pdf

M. I. I. Board, The Buncefield Incident, 11 December 2005, The Final Report of the Major Incident Investigation Board, volume 2a. 2008.

V. M. Fthenakis, “Mitigation options for accidental releases of hazardous gases,” Brookhaven National Lab.(BNL), Upton, NY (United States), 1995. Accessed: Feb. 26, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.osti.gov/biblio/78581

B. M. I. I. Board, Recommendations on the design and operation of fuel storage sites. March, 2007. Accessed: Feb. 19, 2025. [Online]. Available: http://firedirect.net/_pdfs/_news/0713_001.pdf

R. D. Darragh, “Controlled Water Tests to Preload Tank Foundations,” J. Soil Mech. Found. Div., vol. 90, no. 5, pp. 303–329, Sep. 1964, doi: 10.1061/JSFEAQ.0000657.

“ChemE, Loss Prevention Bulletin. [Online]. Available: https://www.icheme.org/media/1278/lpb251_digimag.pdf. [Accessed: 14-March-2019] - بحث Google‏.” Accessed: Mar. 10, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&sca_esv=81a1a0510470009f&sxsrf=AHTn8zr5y-Sz56CZYTNCemWlGqQ_1DWQng:1741619767855&q=ChemE,+Loss+Prevention+Bulletin.+%5BOnline%5D.+Available:+https://www.icheme.org/media/1278/lpb251_digimag.pdf.+%5BAccessed:+14-March-2019%5D&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwik3-Kc5_-LAxXHe6QEHffKErsQgwN6BAgMEAE&biw=1366&bih=643&dpr=1

J. C. Mecklenburgh, “Lessons from the post-enquiry discussion of Flixborough,” in Int. Chem. Eng. Symp. Ser, 1976, p. 445.

B. B. Liao et al., “Acoustic emission-based damage characterization of 70 MPa type IV hydrogen composite pressure vessels during hydraulic tests,” Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, vol. 44, no. 40, pp. 22494–22506, 2019.

J. F. Kiefner and W. A. Maxey, “The benefits and limitations of hydrostatic testing,” in API’s 51st Annual Pipeline Conference & Cybernetics Symposium, New Orleans Louisiana, Citeseer, 2000. Accessed: Mar. 03, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=7512249543318e9895c6532da3f3263ec07a3fcc

J. F. Kiefner, “Role of hydrostatic testing in pipeline integrity assessment,” in Northeast Pipeline Integrity Workshop, Albany, New York, Citeseer, 2001. Accessed: Mar. 03, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=4ed9b92944d8d6fc1f32e7f44c1f6ee09d6b21af

S. H. Lee, Three Months before the Samsung’s Water Tank Disaster, there was a ‘Preview.’ 2013.

K. K. Parthiban, An Accident with Brittle Fracture during Hydrotest. 2012.

“Examples of Hazards of Pressure Testing – What Is Piping.” Accessed: Mar. 03, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://whatispiping.com/hazards-of-pressure-testing/

D. C. Co, Dow’s Fire & Explosion Index Hazard Classification Guide: A AIChE Technical Manual. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 1994.

J. G. Speight, Handbook of industrial hydrocarbon processes. Gulf Professional Publishing, 2019.

I. O. Moen, D. Bjerketvedt, T. Engebretsen, A. Jenssen, B. H. Hjertager, and J. R. Bakke, “Transition to detonation in a flame jet,” Combust. Flame, vol. 75, no. 3–4, pp. 297–308, 1989.

D. J. Mackay, S. B. Murray, I. O. Moen, and P. A. Thibault, “Flame-jet ignition of large fuel-air clouds,” in Symposium (International) on Combustion, Elsevier, 1989, pp. 1339–1353. Accessed: Feb. 24, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0082078489801456

A. R. Hale, B. H. J. Heming, K. Smit, F. T. Rodenburg, and N. D. Van Leeuwen, “Evaluating safety in the management of maintenance activities in the chemical process industry,” Saf. Sci., vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 21–44, 1998.

R. King, Safety in the Process Industries. Elsevier, 2013.

M. Mohan, T. S. Panwar, and M. P. Singh, “Development of dense gas dispersion model for emergency preparedness,” Atmos. Environ., vol. 29, no. 16, pp. 2075–2087, 1995.

J. R. Taylor, Risk analysis for process plant, pipelines and transport. Routledge, 2003. Accessed: Feb. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203474914/risk-analysis-process-plant-pipelines-transport-taylor

H. F. Coward and G. W. Jones, Limits of Flammability of Gases and Vapors. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1952.

M. Markiewicz, “A Review of Mathematical Models for the Atmospheric Dispersion of Heavy Gases. Part I. A Classification of Models,” Ecol. Chem. Eng. S, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 297–314, Jan. 2012, doi: 10.2478/v10216-011-0022-y.

D. R. Blackmore, M. N. Herman, and J. L. Woodward, “Heavy gas dispersion models,” J. Hazard. Mater., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 107–128, Jul. 1982, doi: 10.1016/0304-3894(82)80036-8.

S. R. Hanna and R. E. Britter, Wind Flow and Vapor Cloud Dispersion at Industrial and Urban Sites. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.

Y. Guo et al., “Pool fire burning characteristics and risks under wind-free conditions: State-of-the-art,” Fire Saf. J., vol. 136, p. 103755, 2023.

A. A. Grachev, E. L. Andreas, C. W. Fairall, P. S. Guest, and P. O. G. Persson, “The Critical Richardson Number and Limits of Applicability of Local Similarity Theory in the Stable Boundary Layer,” Bound.-Layer Meteorol., vol. 147, no. 1, pp. 51–82, Apr. 2013, doi: 10.1007/s10546-012-9771-0.

G. Atkinson, E. Cowpe, J. Halliday, and D. Painter, “A review of very large vapour cloud explosions: Cloud formation and explosion severity,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 48, pp. 367–375, 2017.

G. Atkinson and M. Pursell, “FABIG Technical Note 12-Vapour Cloud Development in Over-filling Incidents,” FABIG April Available Download Httpswww Fabig Compublications--Videostechnical-Guid.-Note-12, 2013.

G. Atkinson, S. Coldrick, S. Gant, and L. Cusco, “Flammable vapor cloud generation from overfilling tanks: learning the lessons from Buncefield,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 35, pp. 329–338, 2015.

F. Scargiali, E. Di Rienzo, M. Ciofalo, F. Grisafi, and A. Brucato, “Heavy gas dispersion modelling over a topographically complex mesoscale: a CFD based approach,” Process Saf. Environ. Prot., vol. 83, no. 3, pp. 242–256, 2005.

M. A. McBride, A. B. Reeves, M. D. Vanderheyden, C. J. Lea, and X. X. Zhou, “Use of advanced techniques to model the dispersion of chlorine in complex terrain,” Process Saf. Environ. Prot., vol. 79, no. 2, pp. 89–102, 2001.

S. E. Gant and G. T. Atkinson, “Dispersion of the vapour cloud in the Buncefield Incident,” Process Saf. Environ. Prot., vol. 89, no. 6, pp. 391–403, 2011.

V. Venkatasubramanian, J. Zhao, and S. Viswanathan, “Intelligent systems for HAZOP analysis of complex process plants,” Comput. Chem. Eng., vol. 24, no. 9–10, pp. 2291–2302, 2000.

N. Alileche, D. Olivier, L. Estel, and V. Cozzani, “Analysis of domino effect in the process industry using the event tree method,” Saf. Sci., vol. 97, pp. 10–19, 2017.

A. P. I. Standard, “Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-pressure Storage Tanks,” 2018, Accessed: Mar. 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://energy-steel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/API-620-23rd-Edition.pdf

Downloads

Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

Shawail, E., Zaid, F., Osman, K., & Buaisha, M. (2025). Risk assessment associated with Oil Storage Tanks. A case study: Buncefield accident. International Journal of Engineering Research, 4(1), 98–137. Retrieved from https://journal.su.edu.ly/index.php/ijer/article/view/3326