Torch fire - Accidentology, description, modelling

Torch fires, potentially devastating phenomena in industrial environments, are the result of accidental leaks of flammable fluids or intentional evacuation of by-products via flares . Accidental leaks generally result from the rupture of a fitting, valve or pipe.

When these leaks come into contact with a source of ignition, they produce flaming jets with a high calorific value, which can cause serious damage to the rest of the installation, leading to the spread of fire or new accidents such as BLEVE (Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion) on tanks.

To protect against such events, it is crucial to estimate the effect distances associated with this type of phenomenon. To this end, models exist in the field of technological risks to evaluate the geometric characteristics of a flaming jet, such as its length and position in space, and to determine the radiative and convective fluxes emitted by this flame.

In order to better understand the risks inherent in torch fires and their consequences, an analysis of past accidents is a rich source of information. This analysis enables us to identify the main causes and consequences of this type of accident. The accidentology is described in paragraph 2 . Furthermore, in order to estimate the consequences of a flare fire, it is crucial to understand the physics of the phenomenon in order to model it. With this in mind, paragraph 3 describes the flare fire, the conditions under which it is triggered, and its impact on the environment....