What is the term for a catastrophic failure of a pressurized cylinder of liquid?

A catastrophic failure of a pressurized cylinder of liquid is referred to as a BLEVE, which stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. This phenomenon occurs when a pressurized container holding a liquid is subjected to heat, causing the liquid to boil and expand rapidly. If the pressure exceeds the strength of the container, it can lead to an explosive rupture, resulting in a violent release of the pressurized contents. BLEVE events can be extremely dangerous due to the sudden release of energy, which can cause fires, substantial blasts, and the dispersion of hazardous materials over a wide area.

Understanding BLEVE is crucial in hazardous materials operations, as it highlights the dangers associated with handling pressurized cylinders and the importance of following safety protocols to prevent such incidents. Other terms listed, like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), vapor lock, and flash point, relate to different aspects of safety and materials handling but do not define the explosive failure characteristic of a BLEVE.