Assessment of fire resistance of structures after exposure to LNG leakage (FULLY FUNDED)

Keywords: Structural mechanics, heat transfer, mechanical testing, finite element modelling

Industrial Sponsor: Exova Warringtonfire

This project is available via the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Materials for Demanding Environments (M4DE)

Background

Marine structures, with or without Passive Fire Protection (PFP) materials, may be subject to extreme cold temperature, due to LNG leakage, followed by fire attack, sometimes accompanied by explosion. In order to maintain integrity of such structures, it is important to quantify the exposure scenarios, the material properties under the relevant demanding environments (very low and very high temperatures) and structural integrity. It is equally important to be able to demonstrate safety of the structure through physical testing and to develop an assessment method.

Project Outline

The objectives of this project are to establish thermal and mechanical properties of materials (fire protection, steel structure) at very low temperatures and the influences of low temperatures on high temperature performances, and to develop a method to evaluate fire resistance of structures subject to very low temperatures followed by a fire, due to exposure to LNG leakage. This will include the following work packages:
(1) Scenario assessment of LNG leakage and followed by fire.
(2) Method of testing Passive Fire Protection (PFP) and structural materials after being exposed to low temperatures caused by LNG and followed by fire
(3) Behaviour and thermal properties of Passive Fire Protection after exposure to low temperatures caused by leaked LNG
(4) Influence of low temperatures on high temperature thermal and mechanical properties of steel
(5) Assessment of structural integrity under LNG exposure followed by fire

The outcomes of this project will include development of elevated temperature material testing equipment incorporating initial low temperature exposure, a database of structural and PFP material properties at high temperatures after initial exposure to low temperatures, an assessment method of fire resistance of offshore/petrochemical plants exposed to LNG leakage. The experimental work will be carried out at Exova Warringtonfire.

About industrial sponsor

Exova is one of the world’s leading testing, calibration and advisory services groups, trusted by organisations to test and advise on the safety, quality and performance of their products and operations. Headquartered in the UK, Exova operates 111 permanent facilities in 22 countries and employs more than 3,500 experts throughout Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia/Asia Pacific. Exova provides technically demanding services that ensure compliance, extend asset life, bring predictability to applications, and shorten time to market. With over 90 years’ experience, Exova delivers mission critical support to customers across a number of sectors, including aerospace, oil and gas, fire, food and pharmaceuticals and construction. Exova Warringtonfire offers independent fire testing, fire engineering and fire certification services that are a globally-respected mark of quality assurance. For over 40 years, Exova Warringtonfire has been helping customers achieve regulatory compliance, market entry or competitive advantage.