DC-8: Muchen Zhang

Contact

E-mail: muchen.zhang@upc.edu

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Project

Development of a new methodology using CFD-based tools for a better assessment of accident effects in QRA

Host Organization

UPC

Supervisor

Prof. Eulàlia Planas (UPC) 

Objectives

Overall objective: to develop an original easily operated methodology to assess major accident effects employing CFD in QRA studies.

For this purpose, these further objectives are also drawn:

  • To develop an improved accident modelling CFD-based methodology.
  • To provide guiding principles for CFD correct use in QRA of major accident scenarios.
  • To apply the methodology to hydrogen case study.

Project Description

In the chemical process industry, the inherent properties and large quantities of hazardous materials necessitate quantitative risk assessment (QRA) as a powerful tool for reducing risks in chemical plants. It is a systematic approach to evaluate risk levels, probabilities, and consequences of hazardous events in complex technological systems.

Traditionally, QRA methods often rely on empirical models and simplified approaches, which may not sufficiently capture the complex dynamics of major accidents, especially in facilities with very complex structures and surrounding topography. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools, on the other hand, are highly reliable when modelling major accident effects such as dispersion, fire, and explosion, and they are widely used to facilitate more refined QRA methods. However, there is still a gap in the correct use of CFD in QRA of major accidents. In this research project, an original easily operated methodology will be developed by integrating CFD into QRA. This methodology will offer a more realistic consequence modelling of accident scenarios, meanwhile, taking into account the computational intensity of CFD and the variety of CFD software, the rightful use of CFD in QRA of major accidents will be discussed in depth. Furthermore, the values obtained from the methodology will be verified by reliable data from real accidents. Special attention will be paid to renewable energy vectors such as hydrogen-related cases in chemical process industry.

Relevant Background

  • B.Sc.: Bachelor’s Degree in Safety Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, 2010-2014
  • M.Sc.: Master’s Degree in Safety Engineering – Risk Assessment of Domino Effects, Nanjing Tech University, 2021-2024

Publications

  1. Zhang, M., Li, Z., Hou, S., Deng, S., Reniers, G., Yang, M., Zhang, B., 2024. Optimizing safety barrier allocation to prevent domino effects in large-scale chemical clusters using graph theory and optimization algorithms. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 184, 1192–1205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.02.057
  2. Luan, X., Zhang, M., Zhao, S., Zhang, B., 2023. Numerical study on the effects of bund on liquid pool spreading and vapor dispersion after a catastrophic LNG tank failure. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 176, 74–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.06.006
  3. Wang, Z., Hou, S., Zhang, M., Xu, J., Gao, Z., Cozzani, V., Zhang, B., 2022. Assessment of the mass burning rate of LNG pool fires by a validated CFD model. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 168, 642–653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2022.10.019
  4. Zhang, Y., Jing, M., Zhang, M., Hou, S., Zhang, B., 2022. Preparation and Properties of Silica Gel Foam as Fire-Retardant with High Water Retention for Wood. Fire Technology 58, 3597–3621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-022-01334-y