MODELING THE CONSEQUENCES OF A LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION AT A GAS STATION IN THE CITY OF BAKU

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a highly demanded energy carrier widely used in industry and transportation. However, its transportation and storage are associated with a number of potential emergencies due to the physicochemical properties of the substance. LNG is a high-energy fuel that, when leaked and mixed with air, can form explosive mixtures, necessitating strict compliance with safety regulations at all stages of operation. The primary causes of accidents during LNG transportation include human errors, violations of safety regulations, equipment wear and degradation, as well as the phenomenon of "rollover"—a rapid evaporation of gas inside a storage tank, leading to a sudden pressure increase and potential structural failure of the containment system. According to statistical data, up to 95% of accidents in the oil and gas industry are related to explosions, with 42.5% involving liquefied hydrocarbon gases. These figures highlight the need for effective risk analysis methods and accident prevention strategies. This study describes the application of an interactive interface for modeling the consequences of an LNG explosion at a gas station. The computational scenario considered an explosion involving 40,000 kg of LNG, followed by an analysis of thermal impact zones. Additionally, the probability of thermal exposure at a distance of 1,000 m was calculated to be 0%, confirming that this zone remains unaffected. The key fireball parameters were also determined - diameter: 170.5 m, fireball rise height: 85.2 m, burn duration: 22.8 seconds. To assess the impact of an accident on the surrounding environment, a visualization of the affected zones was generated using a city map. This visualization enabled the identification of potential threats to infrastructure and the population in the event of an accident at an LNG refueling station. The proposed analytical approach can be utilized in industrial safety systems to develop accident prevention measures and emergency response plans. To minimize accident risks during LNG transportation and operation, the following measures are recommended: compliance with international safety standards and the use of certified equipment, regular inspections and technical maintenance of storage tanks and pipelines, personnel training in handling cryogenic materials and emergency response protocols, implementation of monitoring systems and predictive diagnostics for early leak detection and equipment failure prevention. The interactive LNG explosion modeling interface used in this study can be used for analyzing the consequences of industrial accidents and their impact on infrastructure, developing safety strategies for LNG storage and transportation facilities, personnel training and emergency response drills for first responders. Thus, the proposed computational modeling approach, based on advanced numerical methods and data visualization, enhances the safety of facilities handling liquefied natural gas and minimizes the likelihood of catastrophic consequences in case of accidents. Keywords: liquefied natural gas (LNG), LNG transportation risks, explosion modeling, fireball phenomenon, thermal radiation, accident impact analysis.