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The Effects of a Fire Environment on a Rail Tank Car Filled with LPG

A 127 kiloliter (33,600 gallon) railroad tank car was instrumented and filled with liquefied petroleum gas. A large JP-4 fuel pool fire then engulfed the tank car, and measurements of temperature, pressure, etc. were recorded as a function of time. After 24.5 minutes, the car failed...

Energy Intensity of Intercity Passenger Rail

This research report deals with the Energy Intensity of Intercity Rail Passenger Systems. Included in the energy evaluation are the impacts of operating conditions (speed, load factor) and train consists. The report also documents an extensive list of data used for evaluation purposes. Impact of...

Thermodynamic Properties of Liquefied Petroleum Gases

The thermodynamic properties of several liquefied petroleum gases (with particular emphasis on propane) are discussed in detail. It is concluded that the widely used propane data by Stearns and George are too inconsistent and too inaccurate to be used for mass flow calculations of propane and...

Two-Phase Flow Model Test Facility

This report describes test facilities for the investigation of two-phase flows. These facilities were developed under Phase I and built under Phase II of a DOT sponsored program entitled “SAFETY VALVE STUDY” which is being carried out at the University of Maryland, Department of Mechanical...

Tank Car Head Puncture Mechanisms

In a number of railroad accidents the shell heads of hazardous material tank cars have been punctured. This report is concerned with the description and analysis of head puncture mechanisms. Three classification yard accidents and one main line accident were studied in detail, train-to-train...