Scott Davis, PhD., P.E., CFEI
\nJohn Pagliaro, Ph.D.
\nand
\nTom DeBold, P.E., CFEI
\nGexcon US, USA<\/p>\n
Presented at the International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, 2018<\/p>\n
ABSTRACT<\/p>\n
On July 1, 2014, a propane cylinder catastrophically failed and exploded on the back of a food\u00a0truck in Philadelphia, PA. The explosion led to a sudden release of pressurized propane vapor and\u00a0superheated propane liquid, which rapidly evaporated resulting in a large white cloud that entered and\u00a0engulfed the rear of the food truck. This cloud ultimately found an ignition source within the food truck\u00a0and resulted in a significant fireball burning both inside and outside of the food truck. The explosion and\u00a0ensuing fire fatally injured the food truck owner and her daughter, and also caused injuries to 11 other\u00a0individuals. This paper will first present the results of our investigation into the cause and origin of the\u00a0catastrophic failure and explosion event, which included: (1) analyzing video footage of the explosion and\u00a0ensuing fire; (2) applying propane phase diagrams to determine the expansion and resulting pressures\u00a0within the cylinder prior to failure; and (3) applying blast techniques to determine the post catastrophic\u00a0blast and ignition during the event. These techniques included advanced computational fluid dynamic\u00a0modeling.\u00a0The paper will also discuss safety critical design features and processes in the propane industry that must\u00a0be in place to ensure the safe use and filling of propane cylinders, which include: cylinder requalification;\u00a0having a fixed maximum liquid level gauge; having a pressure relief valve; and filling cylinders by weight\u00a0or volume.<\/p>\n
Download Complete Paper Here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Scott Davis, PhD., P.E., CFEI John Pagliaro, Ph.D. and Tom DeBold, P.E., CFEI Gexcon US, USA Presented at the International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, 2018 ABSTRACT On July 1, 2014, a propane cylinder catastrophically failed and exploded on the back of a food\u00a0truck in Philadelphia, PA. The explosion led to a sudden … Continue reading Propane Safety: Investigation Findings And Lessons Learned In The 2014 Philadelphia Food Truck Explosion<\/span>