Fast numerical simulation for full bore rupture of pressurized pipelines

An efficient numerical simulation (CNGS-MOC), based on rite method of chara cteristics for simulating frill bore rupture of long pipelines containing t wo-phase hydrocarbons, was developed. The use of curved characteristics, in conjunction with a compound nested grid system, as well as a fast mathemat ical algorithm, lead to a significant reduction of CPU time, while improvin g accuracy. The model is validated extensively against field data including those obtained during the Piper Alpha tragedy, as well as the Isle of Grai n depressurization tests. Its predictions are compared with those based on other mathematical models including PLAC, META-HEM, MSM-CS, as well as BLOW DOWN. Both CNGS-MOC and META-HEM produce reasonably accurate predictions wi th the remaining models assessed performing relatively, poorly.