CFD Simulation Models and Diffusion Models for Predicting Carbon Dioxide Plumes following Tank and Pipeline Ruptures—Laboratory Test and a Real-World Case Study

Ruptures of pipelines can result in dangerous fluids spreading toward populated areas. It is critical for designers to have tools that can accurately predict whether populated areas might be within a plume rupture zone. Numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are compared here with experimental and real-world carbon dioxide ruptures. The experimental data were used to validate the computer model; subsequently, the algorithm was used for a real-world rupture from 2020 that occurred in the USA. From experiments, CFD predictions were superior to diffusion model results based on measurements made downstream of the release (within 1% concentration). Results from the real-world simulation confirm that a nearby town was in a plume pathway. Citizens in the town sought medical attention consistent with the calculated plume concentrations. CFD predictions of the airborne concentration of carbon dioxide in the town approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) downstream of the rupture reveal time-averaged concentrations of ~5%. One person was unconscious for ~45 min at a distance of 0.6 miles from the rupture site; other unconscious persons were in the center of the town (~1 mile from the rupture site) and ~1.2 miles from the rupture. These reports are in excellent agreement with the calculated plume concentrations in the region.