Alfonso Ibarreta

Dr. Ibarreta applies thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer principles to the study of combustion processes in fires, explosions, and a variety of combustion devices. He is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and has investigated fires and explosions involving consumer products, residential and commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. Dr. Ibarreta has evaluated the compliance of industrial facilities with NFPA standards, as well as state and federal codes for the prevention and mitigation of dust and gas explosions. He has performed Dust Hazard Analyses (DHAs) at facilities handling combustible dust. He has also participated in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and performed consequence modeling of flammable liquid / gas releases during the permitting and planning stages of LNG terminals and other oil & gas facilities. Dr. Ibarreta has employed Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) models, including FLACS, to calculate the consequences of flammable liquid/vapor releases, vented deflagrations, and unconfined vapor cloud explosions. Dr. Ibarreta is a principal member of the NFPA's Technical Committee on Explosion Protection Systems. This committee is responsible for NFPA documents related to explosion protection systems for buildings and equipment, including NFPA 67 Guide on Explosion Protection for Gaseous Mixtures in Pipe Systems, NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting, and NFPA 69 Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems.