Computational fluid dynamics simulation of LNG pool fire radiation for hazard analysis

• The CFD models of large LNG pool fire radiation have been validated by comparing field tests.
• A good agreement with test results has been reached with relative error being less than 10%.
• Radiation hazard analysis for a LNG plant is performed by using the validated CFD model.
• The LNG tanks and vaporizers can keep its material effectiveness, if the spacing distance is properly defined.

In this paper, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model has been conducted on liquefied natural gas (LNG) pool fire radiation. Besides the general governing equations (continuity, energy and momentum), three key components as viscous model of large eddy simulation (LES), non-premixed combustion model, and radiation model for pool fire radiation have been considered to take account of the unsteady and pulsed burning flames, which are especially important in capturing characteristics of large LNG pool fire. The experimental data from Montoir series field tests of LNG pool fire, which could demonstrate a relatively complete performance of large LNG pool fire, have been applied to validate the CFD model of fire radiation. The relative error is less than 10% and the results are in good agreement with the test data. CFD model performs better than the commonly used engineering model as Solid Flame Model. The verified CFD model is then applied to perform a hazard analysis for a LNG satellite station. The spacing distances between facilities (e.g. LNG tanks and vaporizers) and ignition source have been evaluated numerically to avoid thermal radiation damage. It is concluded that the spacing distance between AAV banks and impoundment walls should be enlarged.