In addition to the technical capabilities of BREEZE Incident Analyst, the product is easy to use and quick to run. An intuitive interface guides the user through entering required and optional inputs associated with a potential chemical release (e.g. size and position of tank rupture, shape of storage tank, spill volume, and existence of an impoundment basin), and selecting the appropriate algorithms. Results are provided in both tabular and graphical formats including 2D contour, 3D volume, and time-series chart.
Features in BREEZE Incident Analyst include:
- Models key hazards including toxicity, thermal radiation (heat), and overpressure (explosion blast force) related to chemical releases that result in toxic gas dispersion, fires, and/or explosions.
- Includes options to model the dispersion of both neutrally buoyant and dense gas plumes.
- Has the ability to model multiple sources simultaneously.
- Easy-to-use design includes a step-by-step source term wizard for easy model set up and execution.
- Users can create and use start up templates which allows for efficient and successful operation during high-pressure situations.
- Receptor/target locations can be user defined and drawn over a base map (AutoCAD DXF, ERSI Shapefile, or raster image) using a mouse for precise placement.
- Runs quickly on standard personal computers using Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, or 7 operating systems.
- Operator error is greatly minimized via a clear list of model run warnings and fatal errors along with on-screen help that offers quick access to explanations of available features and options.
- And many more!
BREEZE Incident Analyst provides a wide range of dispersion models for analyzing accidental releases of toxic chemicals. The program is ideal for emergency response and planning as well as modeling accidental release scenarios for regulatory programs like the U.S. EPA's Risk Management Program (RMP).
Click the model name for more information.
DEGADIS is a dense gas dispersion model that estimates concentrations downwind from an accidental chemical release where the dispersing toxic or flammable substance is initially heavier than air.
SLAB is a dense-gas dispersion model used to estimate pollutant concentrations downwind from an accidental chemical release that is heavier than air.
INPUFF is a Gaussian puff model that simulates the atmospheric dispersion of neutrally buoyant or buoyant chemical releases. The model accounts for point sources and a release duration that is either finite or continuous.
AFTOX is a Gaussian puff/plume dispersion model that estimates concentrations downwind from accidental chemical releases where the dispersing plume has the same density as air.
Explosion Models
If a quantity of flammable material is released, it will mix with the air and may result in a flammable vapor cloud. If this flammable vapor cloud finds an ignition source a vapor cloud explosion may result. Two main methodologies exist for modeling the explosion resulting from a vapor cloud explosion:
The explosion models include the following widely accepted approaches:
U.S. Army TNT Equivalency was based on the work of the U.S. Army. This model uses a proportional relationship between the flammable mass in the cloud and an equivalent weight of TNT and assumes that the entire flammable mass is involved in the explosion and that the explosion is centered at a single location. The model uses one of two blast curves, depending upon whether the explosion being modeled is a surface burst or a free-air burst.
U.K. HSE TNT Equivalency was based on the work of the U.K. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This model uses a proportional relationship between the flammable mass in the cloud and an equivalent weight of TNT. It assumes that the entire flammable mass is involved in the explosion and that the explosion is centered at a single location.
TNO Multi-Energy treats the explosive potential of the vapor cloud as a corresponding number of equivalent fuel-air charges. The vapor cloud explosion is modeled as a series of sub-blasts with each sub-blast corresponding to a potential blast source within the cloud.
Baker-Strehlow was based on the work of Baker and Strehlow and takes into account the variability of the blast strength by expressing the explosion as a number of fuel-air charges, each with individual characteristics.