VEHICLE EXPLOSIONS

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The arrow points to the fuel level in one of the other compartments that was partially filled with gasoline. Evidence suggested that the propane cylinder was over‐filled and vented in the warm trunk, causing propane to enter the occupant compartment. This article appeared in the Winter 2008 Issue of the NASP Subrogator. Direct flame impingement on the cylinder resulted in cylinder wall failure and release of propane, causing a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE). , but the usual deficiency is the improper release of the gas, suggesting that the ignition source is almost irrelevant. This is a volatile mixture that can auto ignite at room temperatures, which is what most likely happened, causing fragmentation of a cylinder shown in Figure 12. Figure 3a shows the tertiary phase with minor burning in the vehicle and Figure 3b is the accompanying thermogram showing residual hot spots and fires. Low order pressure damage to vehicles such as blown out windows and slightly deformed body panels are characteristic of defuse source explosions. During loading of the vehicle, oxygen was inadvertently pumped into a cylinder filled with hydrogen. © NASP Figure 14 is a view of a propane tank that was just filled and placed in the trunk of an automobile. Figure 10 shows the remains of an empty tanker that was driven into a loading terminal to be filled with gasoline. Another type of explosion, called a diffuse source explosion, is more common in automotive vehicles. © NASP Figures 1 through 3 show photos of an explosion test of a vehicle. The smoker, who was unaware of the propane leakage, ignited the gas, causing significant damage to the vehicle and incurring severe burns. Diffuse source explosions are typically accidental, with fuel sources such as gasoline vapor in large, nearly empty tanks, propane release, volatile industrial gas release and hydrogen from batteries. Figure 13 shows a 12‐volt battery and subsequent damage after a battery explosion. The high order detonation drives debris at high velocities, causing severe damage near to the point of initiation. The degree of damage from such an explosion depends on the ability of the structure to vent explosive pressure. These types of deformations are typical of terrorist acts or criminal activity. What usually occurs is that gasoline vapor vents from the filler neck during a fire, thereby relieving pressure in the tank