In the acronym BLEVE, the B stands for:

In the context of BLEVE, which stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, the "B" specifically refers to "boiling." This term is crucial because it indicates the state of the liquid involved in this type of explosion. A BLEVE occurs when a container holding a pressurized liquid, such as propane or other flammable substances, has its integrity compromised, leading to a sudden drop in pressure. This causes the liquid to rapidly boil, turning into vapor and expanding explosively.

Understanding "boiling" in the acronym highlights the mechanism behind the dangerous scenario: as the liquid heats up, the pressure within the container increases until a critical point is reached, resulting in a catastrophic failure of the container. This makes the term "boiling" significant not only in identifying the type of explosion but also in understanding the conditions that lead to such an event.