Forecast of emergency situations with the spillage of liquid rocket fuel components in the territory for the disposal of chemically hazardous substances

Introduction. Liquid fuel includes two main components – fuel and oxidizer. Common liquid rocket fuels components are highly toxic compounds – heptyl (asymmetric dimethylhydrazine) and amyl (nitrogen tetraoxide). The calculation of emergency scenarios with the spill of liquid rocket fuel components on the terrain is intended for operational forecasting of the scale of pollution, optimization of work in the zone of chemical contamination and the development of a system for providing medical care to the population in case of an extreme situation.

Material and methods. The article presents scenarios of emergency situations with the spill of liquid rocket fuel components on the territory of chemically hazardous facilities and during transportation.

Results. The calculation of the distribution of approximate concentrations at spills in an open area of nitrogen tetroxide (NT) and asymmetric dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) is investigated. The received scenarios of emergency situations indicate the possibility of distribution of toxic concentrations: at the level of CL₅₀ within 1 km at the UDMH spill from 0.5 to 10 tons, NT – from 0.1 to 5 tons; at the level of 1/10 CL₅₀ – threshold toxodose (concentration) at a distance of 0.5–0.7 km at the UDMH spill 0.5–1.0 t, and NT – up to 1 t.

Limitations. When studying emergency scenarios with the spillage of liquid rocket fuel components in the territory, an assessment was made of the distribution of approximate concentrations of components according to the regulatory document on the methodology for predicting the extent of contamination of highly toxic substances in accidents (destruction) at chemically hazardous facilities and transportation.

Conclusion. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the population living within a radius of more than 2 km from the accident site may suffer from the spread of liquid rocket fuel components, which depends on the volume of the spill, the type of emergency hazardous chemicals and the wind direction in the chemical damage zone.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the Biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Authors contribution:
Kucherskaya T.I. – data collection and processing, writing the article;
Gulmamedov E.Yu., Polyakov A.D. – data collection and processing, editing;
Kombarova M.Yu. – the concept and design of the study.
All co-authors – approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding: The study had no sponsorship.

Accepted: February 28, 2024 / Received: July 10, 2024 / Published: August 30, 2024