Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Spray Shields and BLEVE Explosions

Although in its liquid state LNG is not explosive and cannot ignite, if vaporised and mixed with air LNG becomes combustible; which occurs when LNG leaks from a faulty flange joint, in a pipeline during movements between processing, storage, transportation and regasification. The LNG vaporises rapidly at which point if it reaches a source of ignition could catch fire.

For Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) applications, we recommend the following spray shields:

For LNG itself, we recommend Sureband Steel

Sureband Steel

316 STEEL shield with Pressure Diffusion Technology (PDT) incorporating multi-layered steel mesh.

Simple design and quick-connection latch for easy installation.

RECOMMENDED

For other process chemicals, we recommend Sureband Clear

Sureband Clear

All PTFE shield with Pressure Diffusion Technology (PDT), incorporating multi-layered PTFE mesh.

No pull-cords, quick connection. Litmus indicator patch included.

RECOMMENDED

BLEVE - Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion

Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) is an explosion caused by the rupture of a vessel containing a pressurized liquid, which has reached a temperature above its boiling point.[1][2] Because the boiling point of a liquid rises with pressure, the contents of the pressurized vessel can remain a liquid as long as the vessel is intact. If the vessel's integrity is compromised, the loss of pressure drops the boiling point, which causes the liquid to convert to a gas, expanding rapidly. If the gas is combustible, as in the case with hydrocarbons and alcohols, fires break out and cause further damage.

Many such incidents have occurred, with catastrophic results.

How can I mitigate risk?

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) projects have numerous applications for safety shields, whether it be the cryogenic LNG process itself or one of the many other chemicals used. Shields are commonly used as one way to mitigate the risk of a BLEVE incident.

The flange joints along the LNG lines themselves need to be shielded to prevent a jet release which would otherwise permit LNG vapour to mix with air and become combustible. This can be done by installing spray safety shields on flange joints stopping the formation of a mist/vapour cloud.

Flangeguards has successfully delivered thousands of safety shields for LNG applications, on projects all around the world. Installation of Sureband Steel spray safety shields to the flanges of pipelines at LNG processing plants and storage facilities control LNG spray out, mitigating risk of fire and explosions.

  • Sureband Steel is manufactured from 316 Stainless Steel and works effectively at high pressure and wide temperature ranges.
  • Sureband Steel features Pressure Diffusion Technology to control any escape of LNG from a faulty flange preventing vaporisation.
  • Sureband Steel has a Quick Fit connection and fits multiple flange sizes preventing fitting errors.
  • Sureband Steel is manufactured by Flangeguards Limited to ISO9001:2015.