Event
- Event ID
- 116
- Quality
- Description
Workers were connecting a compressed hydrogen cylinder, when a release of hydrogen occurred within a safety-box for flammable gases (a fire-proof safety cabinet).
During the emergency response, the explosive atmosphere ignited and destroyed the safety-box. A fire followed the explosion, which was extinguished by the company fire department. Three employees were injured.
- Event Initiating system
- Classification of the physical effects
- Hydrogen Release and Ignition
- Nature of the consequences
- Macro-region
- Europe
- Country
- Germany
- Date
- Component involved
- CGH2 cylinder(s)
- Failure mode
- internal explosion
- Initiating cause
- unknown
- Root causes
- Date entry in HIAD
- 28/02/2009
Facility
- Application
- Chemical industry
- Sub-application
- unspecified chemical process
- Hydrogen supply chain stage
- All components affected
CGH2 cylinders
- Process temperature range [C]
- ambient temperature (-50°C to +50°C)
- Process pressure range [MPa]
- unknown
- Location type
- Unknown
- Location
- industrial area
- Operational condition
Emergency & Consequences
- Number of fatalities
- 0
- Number of injured persons
- 3
- Post-event summary
The consequences of the explosion were two employees with serious and one with minor injures.
Lesson Learnt
- Corrective Measures
Nothing is known on the results of the accident investigation. The company recommended all users of hydrogen-gas-cylinders to immediately ensure that the following conditions are in place:
- All gas-cylinders are in a technically good condition.
- The fixed pipe system with all its components and devices are sealed and tight.
- All operators are specifically trained in handling hydrogen.
- The operators have a documented training in the connection procedures of cylinders.
In-depth data
- Release type
- gas
- Involved substances (% vol)
- H2 100%
- Release temperature [°C]
- 25
- Probable IGNITION SOURCE
- Explosion type
- Detonation
References
- Sources categories
- NEWS
- Reference & weblink
Company own annuncement
