Numerical simulation of liquefied fuel spills: II. Instantaneous and continuous LNG spills on an unconfined water surface

A simple numerical model based on the shallow water equations in radial symmetry is used to simulate both instantaneous and continuous spills of liquefied natural gas (LNG) onto a water surface. Using the computed results, a study is made of the similarities and differences in the pool structure resulting from the two types of spills. For instantaneous spills a relation linear on a logarithmic plot is suggested between the maximum pool size and the spill volume. The effects of shear forces and surface cohesivity on the evolution of the spill are also examined.