Explosion Vulnerability Analysis of Fuel Storage Facilities Using Scaled Overpressure Metrics and Energy Equivalency

Abstract

Vapor cloud explosions (VCE) remain among the most hazardous outcomes of accidental fuel release in storage tank environments. This research investigates the vulnerability of gasoline storage facilities by employing a TNT-equivalency-based explosion modeling approach. Using thermodynamic properties, the flash fraction of vaporized gasoline was determined from a 450,000 kg fuel release scenario. An equivalent TNT charge weight of 169,188 kg was computed to represent the explosive energy. Hopkinson's scaling law was applied to derive scaled distances for assessing blast overpressure effects at varying stand-off distances. The analysis revealed overpressures above 80 kPa within 150 meters, indicating fatal consequences for personnel and catastrophic failure of equipment. At distances up to 750 meters, moderate damage potential remains due to overpressures above 10 kPa. This study provides quantifiable insights into explosion damage zones, guiding the formulation of safety buffer distances, structural reinforcement needs, and emergency response plans. The integration of scaled overpressure metrics with energy equivalency models enhances proactive safety planning for high-risk petroleum storage systems.