EXTENT OF INDOOR FLAMMABLE PLUMES RESULTING FROM CNG BUS FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS

A validated three -dimensional mathematical model was used to examine the extent of flammable plumes resulting from both large and small CNG leak scenarios inside a typical transit maintenance and storage facility ventilated at a rate of five air changes per hour. The leak rates were based on an engineering and experimental analysis of actual CNG bus fuel system components. The results showed that both large and small CNG leaks produced flammable plumes, such plumes extended from a half a bus length to several bus lengths away from the leak source, and the plume from a large leak formed a layer along the ceiling before being dispersed by building ventilation.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Paper presented at the International Truck and Bus Meeting and Exposition, Toledo, OH, November 16-19, 1992
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • Murphy, M J
  • Brown, S T
  • Philips, D B
• Publication Date: 1992-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 9 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality; Alternate fuels; Buses; Compressed natural gas; Flammability; Fuel systems; Leak tests; Plumes
• Old TRIS Terms: Clean air; Leak testing
• Subject Areas: Highways; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00634650
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE-922486
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 17 1993 12:00AM