Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) is a vapour explosion caused by the rupture or catastrophic failure of a vessel containing a pressurised liquid, which is handling and storing pressure vessel or containing cargo liquid above the boiling point at nominal atmospheric pressure.

Reference Definition by Aiche.org/ccps: Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) is a type of rapid phase transition in which a liquid contained above its atmospheric boiling point is rapidly depressurized, causing a nearly instantaneous transition from liquid to vapor with a corresponding energy release. A BLEVE of flammable material is often accompanied by a large aerosol fireball, since an external fire impinging on the vapor space of a pressure vessel is a common cause. However, it is not necessary for the liquid to be flammable to have a BLEVE occur.

Related Definitions in the Project: The Process Safety Engineering