Dispersion: Frazer-Nash can help you understand the dispersion of gases, vapours, liquid mists and particulate solids (including chemicals, flammable substances and pollutants) to support the safety justifications for plant, sites and facilities.
Far-Field Assessments: Away from the source, dispersion behaviour is often dominated by topology and meteorological considerations. We often use gaussian plume dispersion modelling software in these situations, which enables many different scenarios taking into account a wide range of conditions and site types to be considered:
- Understand the impact of site-specific wind characteristics, topography and terrain on dispersion behaviour,
- Simulate emissions from combustion plant such as emergency diesel generators, to predict the dispersion of pollutants (see also [Process Engineering -> Environmental Technical Assessment]),
- Predict dilution behaviours in the unlikely event of short-term releases from plant,
- Calculate potential inhalation doses and deposition rates.
Near-Field Assessments: Nearer the source, the detailed impact of any surrounding plant and buildings on the dispersion behaviour becomes greater. We have extensive experience of using proportionate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis in these situations to:
- Predict the behaviour of a released gas, vapour, mist or particulate cloud in complex plant environments and help understand the impacts on operators or the public,
- Understand the impacts of local features, site-specific wind characteristics, topography and terrain on dispersion,
- Predict concentrations of dangerous substances, in support of Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) assessments (see [Process Engineering -> Process Technical Safety: Explosion]),
- Understand complex sources such as road traffic or construction dust,
- Support engagements with regulators and planning authorities.
Explosion: Frazer-Nash can help you understand the risks associated with explosion hazards, from detailed understanding of the initiating event to propagation into the far field, and impacts on structures, to support the safety justifications for plant, sites and facilities.
We can support programmes by:
- Performing proportionate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis using general purpose or specific explosion modelling codes to determine the extent and duration of overpressure events following gas cloud ignition,
- Working with other disciplines such as structural integrity to understand the impacts of the predicted explosion events,
- Designing and managing experimental test programmes for gas explosion to substantiate design decisions,
- Carrying out Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) assessments for a range of industries including nuclear and clean energy to support compliance.
Fire and Smoke: Frazer-Nash can help you understand the risks associated with fire and smoke hazards, from detailed understanding of the fires, propagation of smoke into the far field, to support the safety justifications for plant, sites and facilities, and support passive control methods such as fire zoning and active control methods such as design of fire suppression systems.