Potential Threat Assessment and Degree of Exposure in the event of an Explosion by Sudden Expansion of Boiling Liquid Vapor in the LPG Ground Storage Terminal in Monteverde, coastal Ecuador

The industrial complexes that handle dangerous products with flammable characteristics have been the cause of great misfortunes when sudden explosions are generated, either due to mechanical failures or human negligence. Monteverde Gas Complex (MGC), located in province Santa Elena Ecuador, represents a potential risk by housing close 105,000 m3 precursor gases such as Propane (PPN), Butane (BTN), and LPG finished product. Therefore, an analysis threat which population is exposed case explosion one tanks different they contain has carried out, considering closest communes MGC, Jambelí. Tools Probit method proposed TNO (The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research), ALOHA software EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, USA) were used, whose combinations allowed estimating radius influence, divided into zones according degree impact on community. results demonstrated community Monteverde, despite being more than 1 km away from CGM, within red zone high influence corresponds 2000 meters propane butane tanks. Whitin this area, person could fatal third-degree burns. calculations performed under ideal conditions, so it recommended review attenuations generated natural elevations terrain direction wind further studies