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In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Publication history
Received August 17, 2024
Revised April 17, 2025
Accepted June 12, 2025
Available online September 25, 2025
articles This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Inherent Safety Design for LNG Terminals Through Risk Assessment

Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering , Ajou University 1Department of Architecture and Fire Safety , Gyeonggi University of Science and Technology
processsafety@ajou.ac.kr, lovesme@ajou.ac.kr
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, September 2025, 42(11), 2713-2728(16)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-025-00485-2

Abstract

Achieving carbon neutrality is a critical global objective, driving eff orts to transition toward clean energy sources such as

hydrogen. However, the full-scale adoption of a hydrogen economy remains constrained by technological and economic

challenges. During this transitional period, the industrial demand for Liquefi ed Natural Gas (LNG), a relatively low-carbon

fuel capable of co-fi ring with hydrogen, is expected to rise signifi cantly. Consequently, research on the safety of LNG terminal

plants, which handle large volumes of LNG, has become urgent. These plants operate with hazardous substances under

high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, making them prone to severe risks such as leaks or explosions. In particular,

petrochemical facilities, characterized by complex processes and the storage of substantial quantities of hazardous chemicals,

are susceptible to accidents that can result in signifi cant human and property damage. It is, therefore, essential to predict and

calculate the potential impact of accidents in advance and incorporate safety measures into the design phase to minimize

damages. This study aimed to address these challenges by quantitatively assessing the risks associated with LNG terminals

and proposing a framework for optimized safety design through isolable sections. A virtual LNG terminal model was divided

into fi ve isolable sections, and various accident scenarios were evaluated through CFD simulations. The fi ndings highlighted

the variability of explosion impacts across sections and underscored the importance of spatial confi gurations and operational

conditions in determining safety outcomes. By recommending the optimization of protection performance through section

isolation, this study provides valuable insights for enhancing the safety and resilience of LNG facilities. These results contribute

to establishing more eff ective safety designs from the initial plant development stage, thereby minimizing accident

impacts and supporting the sustainable transition to cleaner energy systems.

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