(Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) Used when describing fires involving compressed gases in cylinders which rupture due to extreme pressures and proceed to burn rapidly.
Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion. Explosion of a pressure tank containing an overheated material when the vapor expansion rate exceeds the pressure relief capacity (e.g., steam boiler or propane tank). If the contents are flammable, the rapidly released vapor may react in a secondary fuel-air explosion.
a catastrophic explosion of a flammable fuel
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. The failure of a closed container as a result of overpressurization caused by an external heat source. A major failure of a closed liquid container into two or more pieces when the temperature of the liquid is well above its boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure.
Catastrophic explosion of pressurized vapors from pressurized tank such as propane or anhydrous ammonia tanks.
BLEVE is an acronym for boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion. It is defined as a major failure of a vessel that contains a liquid whose temperature is well above its normal boiling point. When the vessel ruptures, part of the liquid flashes to vapor, which expands rapidly. This causes the remaining liquid to be broken into droplets that travel with the expanding vapor. The resultant aerosol cloud of vapor and liquid drops mixes with air as it expands in all directions. Pieces of the vessel shell can be propelled from their initial positions by the force of the expanding vapor. If the released fluid is flammable, and the aerosol cloud is ignited, a fireball will be created.
An acronym for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. Materials which BLEVE may cause storage containers and parts of containers to rocket great distances, in many directions. Any liquid may cause a BLEVE.
See Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.
A major container failure, into two or more pieces, at a moment in time when the contained liquid is at a temperature well above its boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure.
BOILING LIQUID EXPANDING VAPOR EXPLOSION. A container failure with a release of energy, often rapidly and violently, that is accompanied by a release of gas to the atmosphere and propulsion of the container or container pieces due to an overpressure rupture. The explosion associated with the sudden failure of a container whose contents is a flammable liquefied compressed gas. Typically a BLEVE is due to flame impingement, which causes an increased pressure inside the vessel and a weakening of the vessel material. Upon rupture, the pressure inside the vessel is immediately reduced to atmospheric pressure. At atmospheric pressure, the contents of the vessel instantly boil and vaporize. The vapors of the material occupy several hundred times the space that the liquid had required. This produces a quickly expanding vapor cloud that can be ignited causing a massive explosion and fireball
BLEVE, pronounced blevy, is an acronym for "boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion". This is a type of explosion that can occur when a vessel containing a pressurized liquid is ruptured. Such explosions can be extremely hazardous.
