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Clean Hydrogen Partnership

Explosion in a turbine-generator system

Event

Event ID
279
Quality
Description

Explosion in generator area, thought to be hydrogen leak as a result of radial lead seal failure. Extensive plant damage.

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
H2 coolant system (rotating seal)
Failure mode
leak & ignition
Initiating cause
unknown
Root CAUSE analysis

The reason for the radial lead seal failure is not given. Root cause also unknown.

Root causes
Unknown
Date entry in HIAD
28/02/2009

Facility

Application
Power plant
Sub-application
unspecified power plant
Hydrogen supply chain stage
All components affected

Generator system

Process temperature range [C]
Above ambient temperature (50°C to 100°C)
Location type
Unknown
Location
unknown
Operational condition

Emergency & Consequences

Number of fatalities
0
Number of injured persons
0

In-depth data

Release type
gas
Involved substances (% vol)
H2 100%
Release temperature [°C]
25
Probable IGNITION SOURCE
Explosion type
Detonation

References

Sources categories
HSE
Reference & weblink

Event description provided by HSE, original source confidential