Event
- Event ID
- 251
- Quality
- Description
An explosion occurred on a unit producing hydrogen for the nearby refinery. A gas supply pipe failed because of corrosion and a released hydrogen resulting in an explosion.
The following fire was extinguished in 10 minutes by the public service fire brigade. Two workers were lightly injured. Noise of the explosion was heard offsite for well over a mile. Some minor damage offsite.- Event Initiating system
- Classification of the physical effects
- Hydrogen Release and Ignition
- Nature of the consequences
- Macro-region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Date
- Component involved
- pipeline (generic)
- Failure mode
- leak & ignition
- Initiating cause
- material degradation (internal corrosion / erosion)
- Root CAUSE analysis
The INITIATING CAUSE was a material failure due to corrosion.
- Root causes
- Unknown
- Date entry in HIAD
- 28/02/2009
Facility
- Application
- Petrochemical industry
- Sub-application
- Unspecified refinery process
- Hydrogen supply chain stage
- All components affected
hydrogen pipeline, H2 production unit (unspecified)
- Location type
- Unknown
- Location
- industrial area
- Operational condition
Emergency & Consequences
- Number of fatalities
- 0
- Number of injured persons
- 2
- Official legal action
Authorities recommended to avoid the fumes or to evacuate the vicinity.
- Emergency action
The hydrogen unit was shut down.
The fire is extinguished in 10 minutes by the firemen of the refinery.
In-depth data
- Release type
- gas
- Involved substances (% vol)
- H2 100%
- Probable IGNITION SOURCE
- Explosion type
References
- Sources categories
- ARIA
- Reference & weblink
Event description in the French database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/8248/
(accessed October 2020)Snapshot from the site of the Major Accidents at Chemical/Refinery Plants in Contra Costa County
https://www.cchealth.org/health-and-safety-information/hazmat-programs/…
(accessed January 2025)
