title: A dispersion safety factor for LNG vapor clouds.
abstract: The growing importance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global energy demand has increased interest in the possible hazards associated with its storage and transportation. Concerning the event of an LNG spill, a study was performed on the relationship between the distance at which the lower flammability limit (LFL) concentration occurs and that corresponding to the visible contour of LNG vapor clouds. A parameter called the dispersion safety factor (DSF) has been defined as the ratio between these two lengths, and two expressions are proposed to estimate it. During an emergency, the DSF can be a helpful parameter to indicate the danger of cloud ignition and flash fire.
authors.affiliation: TIPs - Trámites, Informes y Proyectos, SL, Llenguadoc 10, 08030 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vílchez
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Villafañe
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casal
mesh_terms: D000397:Air Pollution; D000465:Algorithms; D004190:Disasters; D006813:Humidity; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D059206:Natural Gas; D059392:Petroleum Pollution; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D059206:Natural Gas