Event
- Event ID
- 776
- Quality
- Description
The explosion took place in the hydrogen gasometer. The bell in the gasometer was lifted 15-20 m straight up and cracked. The cover fell down on the pipe bridge besides the gasometer. The cylindrical part of the bell fell down into the gasometer basin.
The reason for the explosion was transportation of oxygen into the hydrogen gasometer. This was due to poor drainage, and corresponding overpressure in the oxygen flow line.
No persons were injured.
The hydrogen gasometer was destroyed, and there was also considerable damage to the 02 and N2 gasometers. Several pipes were knocked off and foundations for the pipe bridge were damaged. There was also some damage to the neighbouring buildings and many windows were either blown in or sucked out of their frames. In total 1,200 m3 of glass were damaged. No comments are made regarding possible ignition sources.
The HAZOP study which was done after the explosion revealed that a series of improvements could be carried out to increase safety.- 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
- gasholder/gasometer (H2)
- Failure mode
- internal explosion
- Initiating cause
- malfunctioning (electrolyser, cross-over)
- Root CAUSE analysis
The direct cause for the explosion was transportation of oxygen into the hydrogen gasometer. This was due to poor drainage, and corresponding overpressure in the oxygen flow line.
- Root causes
- Date entry in HIAD
- 01/01/2021
Facility
- Application
- Hydrogen production
- Sub-application
- CH2 stationary tank
- Hydrogen supply chain stage
- All components affected
hydrogen gasometer
- Process temperature range [C]
- ambient temperature (-50°C to +50°C)
- Process pressure range [MPa]
- low to medium pressure (below 2 MPa)
- Location type
- Unknown
- Location
- unknown
- Operational condition
Emergency & Consequences
- Number of fatalities
- 0
- Number of injured persons
- 0
- Post-event summary
Nobody was injured.
As well as the hydrogen gasometer being destroyed, there was also considerable damage to the 02 and N2 gasometers. Several pipes were knocked off and foundations for the pipe bridge were damaged. There was also some damage to the neighbouring buildings and many windows were either blown in or sucked out of their frames. In total 1,200 m3 of glass were damaged. No comments are made regarding possible ignition sources.
In-depth data
- Release type
- gas
- Involved substances (% vol)
- H2 100%
- Release temperature [°C]
- 25
- Probable IGNITION SOURCE
- Explosion type
References
- Sources categories
- Scientific article
- Reference & weblink
6th International Symposium 'Loss Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Process Industries', Oslo, Norway, June 19-22 1989, Vol.2, pp. 40.1-40.14, available from Norwegian Society of Chartered Engineers
