Lower & Upper Flammable Limits (LFL / UFL) for Selected Chemicals

as per NFPA 325

Chemical
Propane
n-Butane
Isobutane
Isopentane
n-Pentane
n-hexane
heptane
Isoheptane
n-Octane
H 2S
Methanol
Ethanol
Ethylene Glycol
Triethylene Glycol

LFL, % by Volume UFL, % by Volume Mol Wt

2.1
9.5
44.1
1.9
8.5
58.12
1.8
8.4
58.12
1.4
7.6
72.15
1.5
7.8
72.15
1.1
7.5
86.18
1.05
6.7
100.2
1
6
100.2
1
6.5
114.23
4
44
34.08
6
36
32.04
3.3
19
46.07
3.2
62.07
0.9
9.2
150.17

Minimum Velocity & Stack Height Needed for Adequate Dispersion

of Heavier-Than-Air Gases (Bodurtha Method)
Reference:
Section 15.48.8, Bodurtha Method, "Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Volume 1" by
Frank P Lees
Notes:
1. The minimum velocity and height calculated based on the Bodurtha method are
meant for keeping the flammable gas-air mixture below the LFL at a reference
point. It does NOT provide any information related to ground level concentration
of the individual component or gas-air mixture for the purpose of evaluating TOXICITY.
2. Some heavier-than-air gases act as asphyxiants by reducing the oxygen concentration
by dilution to such an extent that life cannot be supported. Monitoring the oxygen
content of the air is the best way to ensure a safe environment. The oxygen content of
the air in the entire work place should never be allowed to fall below 18% by volume.
3. For Heavier-Than-Air Gases which are toxic in nature and for whom exposure levels are
specified at ppm or mg/m3 levels, the evaluation has to be based on their concentration
being kept below the specified maximum allowable exposure limits in ppm or mg/m 3 on
a time-weighted average (TWA) basis
4. Actual velocities in stacks or vents are generally much higher than the critical stack
or vent gas exit velocity as calculated by the Bodurtha method. API 521 recommends that
velocity through atmospheric stacks / vents should be maintained at 150 m/s (500 ft/s) to
obtain good dispersion by the turbulence of the high velocity gas or vapor jet. Refer
Section 6.3.2.2 of API STD 521, 5th Edition.
5. The model is applicable to a release directed vertically upward and only for stack
specific gravity SG > 1.15 and for stack gas actual outlet velocity vs less than the choked,
or sonic value.
Critical stack or vent gas exit velocity

3 . 73 D 0 . 684
V s , crit =

where:
Vs,crit =

0. 368

x s
L
A

1 .05

0 . 001

2 . 05

critical stack or vent gas exit velocity, m/s

stack or vent exit diameter, mm
stack or vent exit concentration of the contaminant under consideration , % v/v
lower flammability limit (LFL), volume %
mean wind speed, m/s

D=
xs =
L=
u=
0 . 67

A=
where:
SG =

SG
( SG1 )0. 33
specific gravity of the vented gas (air =1)

Stack or Vent Height to keep momentary concentrations below the LFL

43 . 8D 1 . 35
h s=
where:
hs =
=

x s
L A

1 .05

106

0 . 702

stack height required, m (from a reference point where a flammable mixture can form)
multiplier to give momentary concentrations, commonly 2.5 to 5
Use 2.5 generally

Example Calculation
Inputs
D=
Gas =
xs =
L=
u=
MW of Gas
=
Calculations
SG =
A=
Vs,crit =
hs =

150
Propane
100
2.1
1
44.1
2.5

mm
%
%
m/s
kg/k-mol

1.523
1.642
6.28 m/s
9.7 m

(vol. or mole percent of the component under evaluation)

(gas mol. Wt. should be greater than mol wt of air (28.96))

(from a reference point where a flammable mixture can form)

es, Volume 1" by

ation , % v/v

e mixture can form)

onent under evaluation)

han mol wt of air (28.96))

ammable mixture can form)