Which statement correctly defines BLEVE?

Which statement correctly defines BLEVE?

• A. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
• B. Burning Liquid Expanding Vapor Emission
• C. Boiling Liquid Evaporation Vapor Emission
• D. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Emission

Answer: (A)

BLEVE stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. It describes a scenario where a vessel containing a liquid at a temperature above its boiling point is heated, causing the liquid to boil and generate high-pressure vapor. If the vessel fails, the pressurized contents are released and rapidly flash to vapor, producing a violent explosion. This explosive rupture and rapid vapor expansion is what distinguishes BLEVE from mere evaporation or vapor emission. The other options swap in Burning or Evaporation/Emission terms, which do not capture the explosive rupture and blast that define a BLEVE.

BLEVE stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. It describes a scenario where a vessel containing a liquid at a temperature above its boiling point is heated, causing the liquid to boil and generate high-pressure vapor. If the vessel fails, the pressurized contents are released and rapidly flash to vapor, producing a violent explosion. This explosive rupture and rapid vapor expansion is what distinguishes BLEVE from mere evaporation or vapor emission. The other options swap in Burning or Evaporation/Emission terms, which do not capture the explosive rupture and blast that define a BLEVE.