Our 2,300-acre Box Canyon Test Facility has the capability to conduct large-scale vapor cloud explosion (VCE) tests that range from slow speed deflagrations to deflagration-to-detonation transitions (DDTs). In addition to conducting client specific tests, BakerRisk also conducts VCE test programs in support of our Explosion Research Cooperative (ERC), internal research projects, and industry regulatory organizations. We use data collected from these test programs to improve VCE consequence modeling, to help clients better understand their specific hazards, and to investigate potential enhancements to VCE mitigation techniques.
We characterize a number of parameters that affect blast loads generated to better understand and predict the serious consequences from these catastrophic events.
The VCE testing and research programs investigate the following relevant parameters:
- Fuel type and concentration
- Obstacle size
- Ignition location
- Separation distance between congested volumes
- Presence of confinement
- Directional venting with panels
- Jet releases
- Conditions required to create a Deflagration to Detonation Transition (DDT)
Results from our extensive industry leading research continue to generate improvements in the prediction methodologies and mitigation techniques used throughout industry. Publications and presentations from this research are often shared at conferences and regulatory organizations to the benefit of our clients and the safety of personnel everywhere.
Explosion testing programs can accommodate specific client requirements in order to simulate real-world scenarios and provide results designed for specific needs.
Our test programs can:
- Create congested volumes from 216 ft³ (6 m³) up to 5,000 ft³ (145 m³)
- Field multiple high speed cameras with a typical resolution of 1024×768 @ 3,000 fps
- Record 100 channels of data at 100,000 Hz