Study on Mechanisms of CO2 BLEVE Based on the Cusp-catastrophe Model

AbstractCarbon capture and storage systems (CCS) need to handle large volumes of high-pressure CO2, and when a vessel containing pressurized CO2 receives heat load or fails, it is likely to occur boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE). With the characteristics of discontinuity and mutability, CO2 BLEVE procedure under thermal attack can be qualitatively descripted with a catastrophe model established by the van der Waals equations, which made a good explanation of the mutation process of CO2 phase transition. Meanwhile, the unstable superheated degree and superheated limit temperature were also obtained, which helped to predict the occurrence and intensity of CO2 BLEVE. Hence, this will provide theoretical support to accident prevention and control in industrial process