What can result from a "boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion"?

A boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion, often abbreviated as BLEVE, occurs when a vessel containing a pressurized liquid is heated, causing the liquid to vaporize rapidly. This rapid expansion of vapor can lead to a significant increase in pressure within the vessel, which may ultimately cause it to rupture. When the pressure relief mechanisms or structural integrity of the vessel fail, the sudden release of both liquid and vapor can ignite, resulting in an explosion.

Option B is correct because it directly addresses the phenomenon's nature—vapor expansion that leads to explosions. The rapid transition from liquid to gas increases the volume significantly, generating explosive force as the vapor escapes.

In contrast, the other choices do not directly relate to the nature of a BLEVE. Extended production timeframes and improved inspection protocols do not reflect the immediate consequences of a BLEVE and are more about operational outcomes or procedural enhancements in a facility. Minor fluctuations in temperature relate to changes that are unlikely to cause such drastic effects as an explosion, focusing instead on normal operating conditions rather than the catastrophic failure that can occur in a BLEVE scenario.