Fire hazard assessment of elastic tanks based on thermogravimetric analysis

Introduction. Every year, new types of polymer composite materials appear, which are used for the manufacture of quickly erected soft tanks. These materials are tested for mechanical and chemical resistance, while much less attention is paid to the study of their fire-hazardous properties. Due to the fact that composite materials for elastic tanks are combustible, the experimental study of the process of their thermal destruction process, in particular by the method of thermal analysis, is an urgent task.

Purpose and objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the fire hazard of elastic tanks based on thermogravimetric analysis of three specimens of composite materials, which are widely used in the manufacture of elastic tanks for the storage of flammable liquids. The paper analyzes the results of synchronous thermal analysis of composite materials similar in structure, as well as surface layer temperatures during burning of oil and petroleum products; the intervals of thermal destruction, mass loss rates, and thermal effects of thermo-oxidative destruction in the nitrogen-oxygen environment of the studied materials are determined.

Materials and methods. To assess the thermal resistance of polymer composite materials used in the manu­facture of soft storage tanks for flammable liquids, the physical and mechanical properties of the following material grades were studied: Yan Yang YY1600; Jinlong JL1600; L3690 NESU. Thermal destruction of these materials in nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere was studied by the method of synchronous thermal analysis (TGA+DSC) using Setsys Evolution 16 device.

Results of the study. The experiments carried out made it possible to establish that thermal destruction of the materials under study occurs at temperatures of 280–290 °С, which is close to the temperature of the surface layer during combustion of dark petroleum products. The maximum rate of destruction in all specimens was observed at 410–420 °С, and the maximum coke residue did not exceed 4.5 %. The time of complete destruction of the studied materials at the maximum rate of mass loss ranged from 9 to 14 minutes, depending on the type of specimen.

Conclusions. The temperature of the beginning of thermal destruction of the three grades of polymer composite materials under study is close to the temperature of the surface layer during the combustion of high-boiling liquids, which creates danger of depressurization during ignition of a spill of dark petroleum products on the surface of the materials under study.

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