What does BLEVE stand for?

• A. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Emission
• B. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
• C. Boiling Liquid Expanded Vapor Explosion
• D. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Evaporation

Answer: (B)

BLEVE describes a violent hazard where a pressurized liquid inside a vessel boils and rapidly turns to expanding vapor, enough pressure build-up to rupture the container and cause an explosion. The standard expansion is Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, which is why the correct form ends with Explosion. The other endings don’t convey the explosive failure: Emission implies just releasing vapor, Expanded doesn’t capture the rapid pressure rise and rupture, and Evaporation refers to liquid turning into vapor without the explosive release. In practice, a BLEVE happens when heat raises the liquid’s temperature and pressure inside a sealed vessel, leading to a catastrophic rupture and explosion.