Explosion in a hydrogen production unit

An explosion and fire occurred at a hydrogen production plant serving the hydrocracker and the diesel hydroteater of a nearby refinery.
According to the plant owner, the incident occurred in the collection manifold, also referred to as a collection header or a transfer line, due to the failure of an external carbon steel pipe of the collection manifold.
No injuries were reported among the employees and no damage to the nearby refinery, but exnsive damage to the hsyrogen production unit.

The INITIATING CAUSE was the rupture of a carbon steel pipe, for undisclosed reasons.

According to one of the sources, the plant owner and operator suited a contractor for the "for causing the energy release, saying they negligently failed to provide it with accurate safe operating temperatures, failed to warn of the potential for a cracked refractory inside the collection manifold and failed to design the collection manifold from materials able to withstand the potential operating temperature."
This statement suggests the failure of the pipe because experiencing to too high temperatures, due to (1) inadequate materials design, (2) deterioration of heat insulator. It also implies shortcoming in the communication between contractor responsible for the plant operation and its owner.

The ROOT CAUSE could be a combination of shortcomings in design, inspection/maintenance/repair and eventually additional responsibility in the management of the plant.

unknown

DESCRIPTION OF THE FACILITY
The hydrogen plant, which at the time of the incident had a capacity of 100 million standard cubic feet a day, was connected to a 300-mile hydrogen pipeline that runs along the Gulf Coast.

The vent caused damage to the manifold, a gas boiler, the facility's electrical system and other equipment near the manifold. The costs are unknown.
No injuries were reported among the employees and no damage to the nearby refinery, but exnsive damage to the hsyrogen production unit.

According to the spokeswoman, the fire was quickly under control.