THE EVALUATION OF HEAT RADIATION EMITTED BY BURNING TANKS WITH

PETROLEUM
1 2
Jerzy Galaj , Sylwester Kieliszek

The Main School of Fire Service, 52/54 Slowackiego St., 01-629 Warsaw, Poland,
E-mail: 1galaj@sgsp.edu.pl, 2sylwester.kieliszek@sgsp.edu.pl
Received ; accepted

Abstract. The evaluation of heat radiation emitted by burning tanks with petroleum especially from the possibilities
of fire suppression by extinguishing foam systems point of view is the subject of this paper. The fire of petroleum
tank with all surface burned and cylindrical shape of the flame were assumed. The heat is radiated only from side
surface of the flame, which temperature is constant. The relationship between radiation intensity, affected
extinguishing station with fireman standing on tank basis level, have been analysed. Selected results of computer
simulation based on the mathematical model of radiation for different tanks used in Poland have been presented.
Conclusions concerning influence of tank radiation on the possibilities of fireman operation including extinguishing
foam systems have been formulated.
Keywords: petroleum, fire of tank with petroleum, heat radiation, fire protection, extinguishing foam systems
1. Introduction 4 kW/m2 is accepted generally for the fire fighting
operation region [2, 3].
A building of petroleum tanks is necessary to ensure
sufficient reserve of energy source as well as continuity Table 1. The values of volume V, diameter D, height of
of refinery production. The tanks with floating roof and petroleum tanks H as well as standard capacities of foam agents
z

capacities 12000, 32000, 50000 m3 were mostly built in solution and foam agents [2]
Poland. The tanks of capacity 100000 m3 are also built No. V D H z
Q r
Q s

now. Four fires of tanks with petroleum were registered [m ]

3
[m] [m] [dm /min] [dm /min]
3 3

in Poland after Second War. All of them were concerned 1. 12000 36 12 13500 402
2. 32000 52 16 19400 592
with the tanks with fixed roofs. The tanks with panel 3. 50000 65 18 24200 725
wall are mostly built in Poland now. They are better from 4. 100000 84 20 31400 942
extinguishing fire point of view. The mission of
extinguishing systems installed on these tanks is to 2. Model of petroleum tank radiation
suppress the fire in initial phase practically limited to the
surface between floating roof and the side wall or The following assumptions have been accepted in
between tank shell and panel wall. The geometric physical model of tank radiation during petroleum fire:
parameters (V,D and Hz) and standard capacities of foam a) all surfaces of petroleum burn;
agent solution Qr and foam agent Qs for the typical tanks b) shape of the flame is a cylinder, which height Hp can
with petroleum, which we can meet in Poland, were be approximately calculated from Tomas equation
included in tab. 1. In opinion of the experienced firemen, [2]:
application of extinguishing agents with minimal 0,6
intensity equal to 20 dm3/(min m2) is required for
⋅ ⎛ vm ⎞
effective suppression of the fire of the whole or a part of H p = 42 ⋅ D ⋅ ⎜
⎜
⎟
⎟
(1)
ρa g ⋅ D
petroleum tank surface. Hence many resources either men ⎝ ⎠
or equipment are required for these fire fighting actions.
The action is usually connected with a big hazard because where: vm - mass speed of combustion per unit of spill
of high radiation and possibilities of petroleum boil-over surface [kg/(m2s);
or slop-over. A density of radiation stream not exceeding ρa - density of surrounding air [kg/m3];
 g - acceleration of gravity [m/s2]; q0 = σ 0 ⋅ (T p 4 - Tc 4 ) (4)
D - diameter of circular petroleum spill surface [m];
c) heat of radiation is emitted from the outer surface F1 where: σ = 5,67 10 W/(m K ) - Stephan-Boltzman
0 ⋅
-8 2 4

of the flame being a cylinder which sizes are defined constant,

in b), - flame temperature [K],
Tp

d) the influence of the wind on flame parameters is – fire man temperature [K].
Tc

omitted,
e) coefficient Rs of attenuation of stream of heat Applying principle of mutuality and taking into account
radiation by humid air is calculated according to the that F <<π·D·H , the relationship between configuration
2 p

following expression [3]: coefficient ϕ and ϕ can be written in the following

1-2 2-1

form [3]:
R
s
= 2,02 ⋅ (P
H O
2
⋅ x
t
-0,09
) (2) ϕ =
F
ϕ , (5) 2
⋅
1- 2 2 -1
π⋅D⋅Hp
where: PH2O - partial pressure of water vapour [N/m2];
xt - distance from the tank to radiant object Taking the equation (3),(4) and (5) into account we
(fireman) [m]; conclude, that the only problem to find the value q is 1-2

the calculation of configuration coefficient ϕ . 2-1

f) a fireman operating the foam extinguishing monitor The general expression for this coefficient is of the form
is assumed to be a surface F2 parallel to tank wall, [1,4]:
which height is Hc. and lower edge is located on the 1 cosΦ 1 ⋅ cosΦ 2
level of tank basis. Distance between fireman and the
tank is the changed variable denoted by xt.
ϕ2-1 =
F2 ∫ ∫ π ⋅d
2
, (6)
F F 1 2

Configuration of the fire system tank-fireman was where: Φ - angle between direction perpendicular to
1

presented in fig. 1. element dF of surface F and direction

1 1

connecting the centres of the elements dF 1

and dF [radian]; 2

Φ - angle between direction perpendicular to

2

element dF of surface F and direction

2 2

connecting the centres of the elements dF 1

and dF [radian]; 2

d- distance between the centres of the elements

dF and dF [m]
1 2

Fig 1. Configuration of the fire system tank-fireman

A density of radiation stream q emitted from 1-2

the flame to fireman respecting (2) can be calculated from

the following expression [3, 4]:
f ⋅ ε p ⋅ εc ⋅ϕ
q1- 2 =
2 -1
⋅ R s ⋅ q0 , (3)
1 - (1 - ε p ) ⋅ (1 - ε c )⋅ϕ 1- 2
⋅ ϕ 2 1 −

where: ε - absorption coefficient of the flame;

p

ε - absorption coefficient of the fireman;

c

ϕ - configuration coefficient of the surface F

1-2 1

(flame) with respect to surface F (fireman); 2

ϕ - configuration coefficient of the surface F

2-1 2

(fireman) with respect to surface F (flame); 1

- reducing coefficient connected with unsteady of

f Fig 2.Vertical and horizontal sections of the system tank-
flame surface, partly dissipation of heat energy fireman in Cartesian coordinate system
by convection, real condition of tank fire etc.
Basing on the Cartesian coordinate system presented
A density of radiation stream of black body q can 0
in fig. 2, the following equations for cosΦ and cosΦ can 1 2

be calculated from the following equation [1, 4]: be written as:

 2
− Functions A(β) and B(β) can be expressed by the
Φ2 =
x⋅x − R x x
cos Φ 1 =
f
cos
f
(7) following mathematical relations:
d d

where: A(β ) = [x + R(1 − cos β )]⋅ [x ⋅ cos β − R(1 − cos β )] (13)

f f

→
d = (x − x ) f
2
+ y 2 + z 2 - value of the vector r21
1 ⎡ zg zd 1 ⎛ zg zd ⎞⎤
D B(β ) = ⎢ − + ⋅ ⎜ arctg − arctg ⎟⎥
R= - radius of the cylindrical surface of the flame. 2a ⎢⎣ z g + a z d + a a ⎝
2 2 2 2 2 ⎜ a a ⎟⎥
⎠⎦
2
xf= coordinate x of surface F (fireman);
xt+R - 2
(14)
x,y,z– coordinates of the point lying on the cylindrical
surface F 1. where: a = x f
2
+ R ⋅ (R − 2 x f
⋅ cos β ) .

After substituting epressions (7) into eq. (6) and

integrating with respect to surface F , the following
expression for ϕ was received:
2-1
1 ( x −
Because of rather complicated form of the integrated
2
functions (13) and (14) the value of the integrator (12)
cannot be determined analytically. Hence the numerical
method was applied here to obtain the value ϕ . The
x )⋅ (x ⋅ x − R2 ) following values of input data have been used [1,2,3]:
2-1

ϕ 2 -1 ∫ R (R
f f
dF1 (8)
)
=
π ⋅
2
+ z2 + x 2
− 2⋅ x⋅ x f
2
εp=0,85; εc=0,8; Tc=310K; Tp=1073K (800 °C) or 1273 K
(1000 °C); ρa=1,23 kg/m ; PH2O=2810 N/m ; F2=1 m ;
F1 f 3 2 2

Hc=1,75 m; g=9,81 m/s ; vm=0,029 kg/(m s) and f=0,35. 2 2

To integrate (8) with respect to F , we must earlier 1

Diameters of the flame D and heights of the tank H were
specify the relation for dF . As an element of side 1
assumed to be equal to diameters and heights of the tanks
z

cylindrical surface it can be written in the form: included in tab. 1.

dF1 = H p ⋅ R ⋅ dβ , (9)
3. The results of digital simulation of tank radiation
where: dβ - elementary integration step of angle β shown The calculations were performed for all types of
in fig. 2. tanks specified in tab. 1.
After respecting (9) in (8), it can be changed into the
form of double integrator as follows: 18
16
zg
⎡β g
x R cos β )⋅ (x cos β − R )⋅ H R ⎤⎥ (10) 14 12000
1 ( f −
ϕ 2−1 = ⋅
∫⎢∫
⎢ dβ ⎥ dz
f p

m 12 32000
/
2
π 2
R x 2 + z 2 − 2 R ⋅ x ⋅ cos β )
2
zd ⎢β d
⎣
( + ⎥
⎦ W 10 50000
k
f f

, 8 2 100000
where: z = H – 0,5·H – lower limit of integration with q 6
-
1
d z c

respect to variable z; 4
z = H +H – 0,5·H – upper limit of integration with
g p z c
2
respect to variable z; 0
β = –β – lower limit of integration with respect to
d 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
variable β, x, m
β = β – upper limit of integration with respect to
t

g 0

variable β
β can be calculated from the expression (see fig. 2): Fig 3. Density of radiation as a function of distance from
the tank (F ) to fireman (F ) for T =800°C (all tanks)
0

1 2 p

R
β 0 = arccos (11) The results of digital simulation in the form of
x f
graphs presenting density of radiation as a function of q1-2

Integrating analytically (10) with respect to variable z distance for all tanks and two temperatures of the flame
xt

considering above specified boundary conditions, finally 800°C and 1000°C have been shown in fig. 3 and 4. The
the following expression for ϕ was obtained: 2-1 values of the height of flame and "safe" distance Hp xs

corresponding to density 4 kW/m given in introduction 2

R
β0 for all tanks and two temperatures of the flame were
ϕ2 −1 = ⋅
∫ A(β ) ⋅ B(β )dβ
(12) included in tab. 2.
π
−β0
 9
that this type of monitors will be rather useless in
extinguishing actions, especially in the case of biggest
8 12000 tanks 50000 and 100000 m and flame temperature higher
3

7 32000 than 1000 °C.

6 50000
The following conclusions have been formulated on
m
/ 5
2
the basis of the results obtained during computer
W 100000 simulation:
k,
2
4 1. According to the expectations, density of radiation
q3 emitted by burning tank with petroleum decreases
-
1

2
exponentially with increasing of (see fig. 3 and 4).
xt

The significant influence of temperature T and the

p

1 height H of the flame, dependant on tank volume, on

p

0 the distribution of radiation intensity in the area

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 surrounding the tank, can be noticed. Increasing of
x,m
t flame temperature from 800°C to 1000°C causes over
Fig 4. Density of radiation as a function of distance from twofold increasing of "safe" distance x (see tab. 1)
s .

2. The values of radiation density during real fire can be

the tank (F ) to fireman (F ) for T =1000°C (all tanks)
1 2 p
smaller than those received from computer model,
because often burning surface is located below upper
Table 1. The values of H and "safe" distance x for all
p s
edge of tank.
considered tanks and two temperature of the flame 800 3. Heat radiation emitted by tanks with all petroleum
°C and 1000 °C surfaces burned delimits the zone of fireman
V, m H ,m
3 x,m s
operation. The special very high capacity foam
T = 800°C T = 1000°C
p

p p monitor, assuring distant foam throw, should be

12000 27,5 7,5 17,5 necessary applied in the case of largest tanks with
32000 32,5 10,5 23,5 high flame temperature exceeding 1000°C.
50000 41,5 12,5 28,5
100000 50,0 16,0 35,0 References
4. Summary and conclusions 1. Staniszewski B.: "Heat transfer-theoretical fundaments".
PWN, Warsaw 1979. (in Polish).
The distribution of real radiation emission decides 2. Borysiewicz M., Furtek A., Potempski S. Method of risk
about possibility of effective application of foam stream evaluation in dangerous technological installations
in extinguishing of tank fire. With respect to technical handbook. Institute of Atomic Energy, Otwock-Świerk
capabilities of fire fighting equipments, especially the 2000. (in Polish).
range of stream, a distance between operator station and 3. Pofit-Szczepańska M., Piórczyński W. The calculation of
the tank doesn’t exceed maximum acceptable value. For fire and explosion parameters during catastrophes and
accidents. The Main School of Fire Service edition,
example, the maximum range of foam solid stream for Warsaw 1998. (in Polish).
foam-water monitor DWP 24 mounted on many fire 4. Wiśniewski S.,Wiśniewski T. Heat transfer. WNT, Warsaw
appliances is from 33 m to 40 m. It is dependant on water 2000. (in Polish).
capacity, which can be changed from 800 dm /min to 3

2400 dm /min. The monitor can operate at different angle

3

positions, which can be set smoothly from -50° to 80°.

Considering values of tank heights given in tab. 1 and the
results of digital simulation, we can generally conclude