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15 Explosion Calculations

This document contains a spreadsheet to calculate the pressure increase and explosive energy release associated with explosions in confined spaces. The spreadsheet allows the user to input parameters about the explosive fuel, such as its heat of combustion and mass, and calculates the maximum pressure developed, blast wave energy, and TNT mass equivalent based on established equations from fire protection engineering literature. The spreadsheet is protected to avoid errors from incorrect user inputs.

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149 views6 pages

15 Explosion Calculations

This document contains a spreadsheet to calculate the pressure increase and explosive energy release associated with explosions in confined spaces. The spreadsheet allows the user to input parameters about the explosive fuel, such as its heat of combustion and mass, and calculates the maximum pressure developed, blast wave energy, and TNT mass equivalent based on established equations from fire protection engineering literature. The spreadsheet is protected to avoid errors from incorrect user inputs.

Uploaded by

salcedopozas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as XLS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Division of Systems Safety and Analysis


Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

CHAPTER 15. ESTIMATING PRESSURE INCREASE AND EXPLOSIVE ENERGY


RELEASE ASSOCIATED WITH EXPLOSIONS
Version 1805.0
The following calculations estimate the pressure and energy due to an explosion in a confined space.
Parameters in YELLOW CELLS are Entered by the User.
Parameters in GREEN CELLS are Automatically Selected from the DROP DOWN MENU for the Fuel Selected.
All subsequent output values are calculated by the spreadsheet and based on values specified in the input
parameters. This spreadsheet is protected and secure to avoid errors due to a wrong entry in a cells(s).
The chapter in the NUREG should be read before an analysis is made.

INPUT PARAMETERS
EXPLOSIVE FUEL INFORMATION
Adiabatic Flame Temperature of the Fuel ((Tad)

Heat of Combustion of the Fuel (DHc)


Yield (a), i.e., the fraction of available combustion
1 percent for unconfined mass release and 100
percent for confined vapor release energy
participating in blast wave generation
Mass of Flammable Vapor Release (mF)
Ambient Air Temperature (Ta)

Initial Atmospheric Pressure (Pa)

THERMAL PROPERTIES FOR FUELS


FLAMMABILITY DATA FOR FUELS

Adiabatic Flame Temperature


Fuel
Tad (°F)
Acetylene 4779
Carbon Monoxide 4329
Ethane 2244
Ethylene 4152
Hydrogen 4085
Methane 2143
n-Butane 2442
n-Heptane 2586
n-Pentane 2356
n-Octane 2478
Propane 2338
Propylene 4050
User Specified Vlaue Enter Value
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 2nd Edition, 1995, Page 1-86.

1
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

METHOD OF ZALOSH
Reference: SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 2nd Edition, 1995, Page 3-312.

Pressure Rise from an Confined Explosion


(Pmax)/Pa = (Tad/Ta)
Where Pmax = maximum pressure developed at completion of combustion (kPa)
Pa = initial atmospheric pressure (kPa)
Tad = adiabatic flame temperature (K)
Ta = ambient temperature (K)
Pmax = (Tad/Ta) Pa
Pmax = 528.57 kPa

Blast Wave Energy Calculation


E = a DHc mF
Where E = blast wave energy (kJ) [E is the Trinitrotoluene (TNT) equivalent energy]
a = yield (a is the fraction of available combustion energy participating in blast wav
DHc = heat of combustion (kJ/kg)
mF = mass of flammable vapor release (kg)
E= 1011490.91 kJ

TNT Mass Equivalent Calculation


WTNT = E/4500
Where WTNT = weight of TNT (kg)
E = explosive energy release (kJ)
WTNT = 224.78 kg

NOTE
The above calculations are based on principles developed in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection
Engineering, 2nd Edition, 1995.
Calculations are based on certain assumptions and have inherent limitations. The results of such
calculations may or may not have reasonable predictive capabilities for a given situation, and should
only be interpreted by an informed user.
Although each calculation in the spreadsheet has been verified with the results of hand calculation,
there is no absolute guarantee of the accuracy of these calculations.
Any questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions, or to report an error(s) in the spreadsheet,
please send an email to nxi@nrc.gov or mxs3@nrc.gov.

2
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

Prepared by: Date

Checked by: Date

Additional Information

Revision Log Description of Revision


1805.0 Original issue with final text.

3
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

E AND EXPLOSIVE ENERGY

sion in a confined space.

P DOWN MENU for the Fuel Selected.


on values specified in the input
o a wrong entry in a cells(s).

2338 °F 1281.11 °C
1554.11 K
46360 kJ/kg
100.00 % 1

48.00 lb 21.82 kg
77.00 °F 25.00 °C
298.00 K
14.70 psi 101.35 kPa

Calculate

Heat of Combustion Select Fuel Type


DHc (kJ/kg)
48,220 Scroll to desired fuel type then
10,100 Click on selection
47,490
47,170
130,800
50,030
45,720
44,560
44,980
44,440
46,360
45,790
Enter Value

4
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

at completion of combustion (kPa)

76.66 psi Answer

rinitrotoluene (TNT) equivalent energy]


combustion energy participating in blast wave generation)

957983.04 Btu Answer

495.55 lb Answer

the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection

erent limitations. The results of such


abilities for a given situation, and should

ed with the results of hand calculation,

report an error(s) in the spreadsheet,

5
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Division of Systems Safety and Analysis
Plant Systems Branch
Fire Protection Engineering and Special Projects Section

Organization

Organization

Date
January 2004

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