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Clean Hydrogen Partnership

Explosion of a chemicals storage tank

Event

Event ID
815
Quality
Description

In a chemical plant, a 1750 m³ tank containing an ammoniac solution exploded.
The anchorage of the tank was ripped, the tank lifted on one side and crashed against the retention wall, which was partially destroyed. 1000 m³ of solution (10-20% NH3) was discharged; the stream destroyed another part of the retaining wall at the opposite side and contaminated the surroundings.

The presence of an explosive atmosphere consisting of an air-NH3 / H2 / CH4 mixture was strongly suspected. The source of ignition was unknown (electrostatic, pyrophoric sulphides?).
Four people were slightly intoxicated (inhalations).

Preventive measures were adopted (inerting, grounding, etc.).

Event Initiating system
Classification of the physical effects
Hydrogen Release and Ignition
Nature of the consequences
Macro-region
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Date
Component involved
chemical storage tank
Failure mode
rupture & ignition
Initiating cause
unknown
Root CAUSE analysis

The INITIATING cause is the formation and ignition of an flammable atmosphere, probably a mixture consisting of air-NH3 / H2 / CH4.
The source of ignition is unknown (electrostatic, pyrophoric sulphides?)
ROOT CAUSE analysis is no given.

Root causes
Unknown
Date entry in HIAD
01/01/2020

Facility

Application
Chemical industry
Sub-application
Ammonia production
Hydrogen supply chain stage
All components affected

tank containing an ammoniac solution

Process temperature range [C]
ambient temperature (-50°C to +50°C)
Location type
Semiconfined
Location
industrial area
Operational condition

Emergency & Consequences

Number of fatalities
0
Number of injured persons
4
Post-event summary

4 people were slightly intoxicated (inhalations).

Lesson Learnt

Corrective Measures

Following the incident, measures aiming at preventing the incident were adopted: among which inertisation of the atmosphere and electrical grounding of the tank.

In-depth data

Release type
gas-liquid mixture
Involved substances (% vol)
NH3
H2
CH4
Release temperature [°C]
25
Probable IGNITION SOURCE
Explosion type

References

Sources categories
ARIA
Reference & weblink