Finite Element Analysis of a Vacuum Deaeration Tower Subjected to Explosive Loads

Mandaiye, Xinaer; Guo , Shuping; Li, Xiangyang; Yuan , Ling; Zhu , Qiuyu

doi:10.22050/ijogst.2025.509791.1733

Finite Element Analysis of a Vacuum Deaeration Tower Subjected to Explosive Loads

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

xinaer mandaiye ¹

Shuping Guo ²

Xiangyang Li ²

Ling Yuan ²

Qiuyu Zhu ²

¹ 2 Research Engineer, Beijing Branch, China Petroleum Engineering Co., Ltd., CPE Building, No. 8 Xinxi Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China

² 1 Senior Engineer, Beijing Branch, China Petroleum Engineering Co., Ltd., CPE Building, No. 8 Xinxi Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China

10.22050/ijogst.2025.509791.1733

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to apply finite element analysis to identify the stress levels of a standard chemical tower subjected to explosive loads. The geometric finite element model is developed based on the design drawings of the tower, and a mathematical model of the explosion load is defined in accordance with relevant specifications, including ASCE 41088 and recent literature. By accounting for geometric large deformation and material nonlinearity of the tower, the time histories of stress and deformation under explosion loading are obtained, and the analysis results are subsequently validated. Two explosion scenarios are examined: a moderate case with a peak side-on overpressure (P_so) of 14.6 kPa and a severe near-field case with P_so of 30 kPa. Comparative results indicate that increasing explosion intensity leads to significant increases in both deformation and stress, with pronounced stress concentrations consistently observed at the bottom of the tower. Numerical damping is introduced to investigate its mitigation effects, and the results confirm that damping effectively reduces peak structural responses under high-intensity loading. A buckling analysis shows that the first buckling mode initiates at the skirt, identifying this region as particularly vulnerable to instability. Furthermore, bolt deformation and stress remain within safe limits throughout the explosion events. The functional relationship between peak reflected pressure, action time, and spatial position under explosion loading is also established. This study provides an important theoretical basis and technical support for the anti-explosion design and safety assessment of the tower. The results contribute to improving the safety and reliability of chemical plants equipped with such towers, particularly under explosion accident scenarios.

Highlights

· Incorporates geometric large deformations and material nonlinearity in the structural analysis of the tower.

· Evaluates and optimizes the tower structure using ductility ratio and rotation angle criteria.

· Considers explosion shock loads with spatial and temporal variations.

Keywords

Ductility ratio, Explosive loads, Reflected overpressure, Positive pressure of shock wave, Vacuum deaeration tower

Subjects

Technical Inspection Engineering

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