Simulation Study of Gas Leakage and Explosion Zone in External Floating Roof Oil Storage Tanks

External floating roof tanks are essential facilities for oil storage but are prone to gas leakage at the sealing ring due to corrosion and material degradation. If the leaked gas encounters an ignition source, it could lead to fire or explosion. This study employs COMSOL simulation software to analyze the variations in the flammable zone around a fully loaded 10,000 m³ external floating roof oil storage tank under different leakage positions in turbulent conditions. The findings reveal that airflow above the floating roof significantly influences the gas diffusion direction and the size of the flammable zone. There is a notable inverse relationship between the wind speed at the leakage point and the extent of the flammable zone. Higher wind speeds significantly reduce the flammable zone area at the leakage position, thereby lowering the risk of fire or explosion. These findings provide important references for improving the safety of external floating roof tanks.