Vapor Cloud Explosion (VCE) Blast Damage far Beyond the Company Property Line

A massive hydrocarbon leak in 2008 led to a Vapor Cloud Explosion (VCE) in a Texas refinery. This accident inflicted serious injuries, and significant property damage both inside the plant boundaries and far beyond. The explosion was heard at distances as far as 40 miles from the plant. The explosion produced ground motion recorded by seismic stations located approximately 120 to 440 miles away. A large number of houses, located several miles away from the plant, suffered damage. Yet, the analysis shows that the methodologies promulgated by CCPS are incapable of predicting the far field property damage caused by this accident.

 This paper will review the accident, and the observed far field property damage. Simplified analysis including blast propagation, atmospheric inversion, terrain effects, and appropriate damage criteria produces a more accurate representation of the consequences.