Which container failure type indicates a risk of BLEVE?

• A. Disintegration
• B. Runaway cracking
• C. Puncture
• D. Split or tear

Answer: (B)

The correct choice pertains specifically to "Runaway cracking," which indicates a failure mode associated with a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE). A BLEVE occurs when a vessel containing pressurized liquid is heated, leading to a rapid increase in pressure. When the structural integrity of the container fails due to runaway cracking, it can result in the sudden release of the pressurized contents, creating a significant risk of an explosion.

Runaway cracking typically involves a scenario where the material properties of the container have changed due to environmental conditions or prolonged exposure to heat, leading to uncontrollable stress and failure. This type of failure is particularly hazardous because it can cause the stored liquid to vaporize explosively, resulting in a BLEVE.

The other failure types, while they do represent different modes of container failure, do not directly lead to the same risk of BLEVE associated with runaway cracking. Disintegration refers to a complete breakdown of the container, while puncture and split or tear involve more localized failures that don't typically provide the same conditions for a BLEVE to occur.