Design of an experimental research program for LPG cloud dispersion modelling

Abstract

This thesis is the report of the internship conducted from Septemper 2013 to January 2014 in the Centre d’Estudis del Risc Tecnològic (CERTEC), located in the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (ETSEIB) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona, Spain. The internship was supervised by the professor Elsa Pastor of CERTEC and the doctoral candidate Adriana Miralles Schleder of the Universidade de São Paulo (USP). The main subject of this project is the study of the vapour cloud dispersion phenomenon trough the execution of an on-field experimental program, which design had been developed with the support of simulation tools. The purpose of the project was the research of answers about vapour cloud dispersion theme: “What is the actual status of the dispersion models and correlated simulation software? What are the parameters to be taken in consideration during the development of an experimental tests design? How could the simulation tools help or limit the work of a user?” The project had got as basis a long research supported by international papers, published book, monographs, academic works and everything could help in the comprehension of the complex and already not totally explored physical phenomenon of vapour cloud dispersion. Throughout the months passed in the CERTEC, the thesis had summarized the considerations and conclusions about the following items: - Study of the involved physical phenomenona, - Review of the mathematical models and simulation software available, - Introduction of the utilized simulation tool, - Design of the experimental program.