Study on mechanisms of CO₂ BLEVE based on the cuspcatastrophe model

Carbon capture and storage systems (CCS) need to handle large volumes of high-pressure CO₂, and when a vessel containing pressurized CO₂ receives heat load or fails, it is likely to occur boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE). With the characteristics of discontinuity and mutability, CO₂ BLEVE procedure under thermal attack can be qualitatively descripted with a catastrophe model established by the van der Waals equations, which made a good explanation of the mutation process of CO₂ phase transition. Meanwhile, the unstable superheated degree and superheated limit temperature were also obtained, which helped to predict the occurrence and intensity of CO₂ BLEVE. Hence, this will provide theoretical support to accident prevention and control in industrial process.