Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Blast Quantification Using Hopkinson Pressure Bars
Published on: July 5, 2016
Using liquid superheating energy for a quick estimation of overpressure in BLEVEs and similar explosions
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre d'Estudias del Risc Tecnològic, CERTEC, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Diagonal 647, 08028-Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. joaquim.casal@upc.edu
Abstract:
A method is proposed for the quick estimation of the peak overpressure caused by a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) or a similar explosion. The method is based on the use of the "superheating energy" (SE), which is the difference between the specific enthalpy of the liquid at the temperature just before the explosion and the specific enthalpy of the liquid at its saturation temperature, at atmospheric pressure. The analysis performed with a set of reference substances showed that in a BLEVE or in similar explosions, the energy converted into overpressure will range between 3.5 and 14% of SE. The comparison of the values thus obtained with experimental data from the literature shows a fairly good agreement.
Related Concept Videos
Excess Pressure Inside a Drop and a Bubble
The Joule and Joule–Thomson Experiments
Design Example: Flow Through a Fire Extinguisher
The key to understanding how the...
Constant Volume Calorimetry
Vapor Pressure
Vapor Pressure of Fluid
When a liquid is placed in a closed container with a small air space, and the space is evacuated, vapor molecules will...
