LNG Dispersion Modeling, by using a new modified method to model offshore spills

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes are increasingly being used in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry to predict natural gas dispersion distances. The risk from released flammable gases, such as LNG, is very dependent on the accuracy of the dispersion modeling. The object of this paper is to model consequence of LNG release and atmospheric dispersion by using commercial code FLUENT 6.2 and compare the results with experimental data. In this study, at first, LNG pool spreading and evaporation has been modeled to estimate the evaporation rate, pool radius and temperature of LNG during spill and then the information on pool spread and evaporation obtained from this simulation has been used as input for the natural gas cloud simulation. The spill model used is the Hissong model [1] modified by using a new method for considering changes in temperature with time and distance to the rupture site for spills on water. The simulation shows overall good agreement with experimental results.

Keywords:

Spill modeling , CFD , Dispersion , LNG