Multiscale Modeling for Process Safety Applications

Chapter 4

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation in Process Safety

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been applied extensively in process safety to assess possible catastrophic consequences such as fire, explosion, and dispersion of flammable and toxic materials from accidental release due to loss of primary containment events. If conducted properly, CFD simulations provide not only accurate hazard assessments such as radiation level, overpressure contour, and distribution of toxic cloud, but also detailed information about the spatial and temporal evolution of accidental events. A typical CFD simulation for a consequence modeling requires an extensive geometric setup, multiple input parameters, and related physical ...