In oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical and power facilities, explosion hazards are a critical threat to personnel safety, asset integrity and business continuity. A structured CFD Explosion Study provides a realistic and defensible way to assess explosion consequences by simulating gas dispersion and overpressure in complex, congested environments.
What is a CFD explosion study?
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a numerical simulation technique used to model fluid flow and combustion behaviour. In explosion studies, CFD is used to simulate gas cloud dispersion, predict explosion overpressure, account for congestion, confinement and obstacles, and provide 2D and 3D visualisation of explosion scenarios.
Purpose of the study
- Identify credible explosion scenarios.
- Assess overpressure levels on structures and buildings.
- Support layout optimisation and facility design.
- Define fire and blast protection requirements.
- Support QRA and consequence modelling.
Methodology
- Define release scenarios and frequencies.
- Input process conditions, gas composition and weather data.
- Model dispersion to estimate the flammable cloud size.
- Run the explosion simulation to predict the overpressure distribution.
- Assess the impact on personnel, equipment and buildings.
- Identify risk reduction and mitigation measures.
Study outputs
- Overpressure contour plots (2D and 3D).
- Explosion consequence maps.
- Vulnerability assessment of buildings and equipment.
- Recommendations for layout improvement and protection systems.
- A clear, auditable CFD explosion study report.
Why CFD is valuable
- It is more realistic than simplified models such as TNT, TNO and Baker-Strehlow.
- It accounts for real plant congestion and confinement.
- It supports safer layout and design decisions.
- It helps avoid over-design and unnecessary cost.
- It strengthens regulatory and stakeholder confidence.
How EnTech can help
We offer realistic 2D and 3D explosion modelling, integration with QRA and wider process safety studies, practical mitigation measures and technical reporting aligned with industry standards. Contact us at info@EnTech-Solution.com.