LNG increases health risks by supporting additional wells and production. But it also brings added risks of its own. Leaks and flares produce hazards for the locals. (You knew these facilities would not improve the air or safety of the neighborhood, didn’t you?) And having large volumes of gas under extreme pressure in huge spherical tanks . . . what could possibly go wrong? What mischief could a rogue band of terrorists make?
There is a special word that experts use to describe the hazard: “BLEV.” Here’s what you get when you Google the word:
- Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE):This refers to a specific type of explosion characterized by the rapid vaporization of a liquid due to a sudden pressure drop.
- Mechanism:When a vessel containing a pressurized liquid, like propane or another chemical, is heated to a temperature exceeding its boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure, the liquid inside becomes superheated. If the vessel ruptures, the pressure inside drops suddenly, causing the superheated liquid to flash into vapor.
- Consequences:This rapid vaporization leads to a significant expansion of volume, generating a powerful explosion. The explosion can be accompanied by a large fireball, blast waves, and the projection of debris from the ruptured vessel.
- Danger:BLEVEs are extremely dangerous, posing risks of injury, death, and significant property damage.
If the explosion is preceded by leaked gas that spreads through the neighborhood, mixing with air, the horrendous effects are multiplied because the explosive gas/air mix is everywhere, and the explosion envelops everything. With LNG tanks, the amount of stored energy is vast, and the radiated heat from the expanding fireball sears and ignites everything that can burn. Read more here.
How many of the politicians and investors who seek LNG terminals want to live near one?
(I hear only the crickets.)