Disclaimer: The Lessons Learned Database includes the incidents that were voluntarily submitted. The database is not a comprehensive source for all incidents that have occurred.
All installed and certified safety and emergency systems functioned as designed.
1. The fuel cell turned off immediately after fire detection.
2. The fire suppression system was immediately initiated thereafter.
3. The physical…
Several procedural and design changes should be considered for the future:
The turbine components that caused the vibrations were a retrofit design which had been in service for about two years and were under warranty from the vendor. The root cause analysis of the event determined that the damage was caused by a defect…
Recommendations:
Although the preparation-for-transport procedures were done the same way they were done for previous outreach programs, this time it proved to be a different situation. It is not clear what caused the ignition of the first balloon, which then set…
During charging, most batteries will offgas hydrogen, making adequate ventilation and the elimination of ignition sources critical attributes of the charging area. Data from the battery manufacturer should be consulted to determine appropriate…
Process changes have been implemented for development and review of safety basis documents that focus on a collaborative effort between the preparer and reviewers in order to provide a more in-depth review. This change is anticipated to provide…
Three root-causes were noted during the investigation: (1) the use of incompatible materials in the manufacturing of the PRD valve, (2) improper assembly resulting in over-torquing of the inner assembly, and (3) over-hardening of the inner…
Personnel were focused on the AGES system test and results, not the compatibility of the test equipment. The manual valve was needed to successfully test the system, however the fact that this particular valve could not accommodate the full…
An important aspect of the reliability of a valve is the condition of the stem seal which tends to deteriorate with time and wear. Valves used in hydrogen service should be packed with the correct valve packing material and periodically checked…
Procedures for safe handling of compressed gas cylinders, marking design of gas cylinders and connecting lines, and arrangement of cylinders were reviewed and modified as necessary. The spectrometer was returned to the manufacturer for a careful…
In addition to the probable causes listed above, the lack of a standard operating procedure for hydrogen leak detection was one of the probable causes of this incident. Additional contributing factors included the following:
- Severe pipe…
The company investigation revealed that the incident arose because insufficient water was added to the batch. This resulted in a rapid increase in temperature and evolution of hydrogen gas following the addition of aluminum powder in the last…
The incident was the result of a combination of factors leading to exceptional temperature conditions that were not taken into account in the mechanical design of the reactor. Corrective actions that were implemented by the plant management…
Safe storage and transportation of balloons filled with a hydrogen-oxygen mixture is a very risky undertaking. There are few scenarios that do not involve enclosed spaces (e.g., a car) and the potential for static discharge. Perhaps a mesh bag…
The incident resulted from an inadequate design for the storage location of the copper gas supply tubing (too close to an electrical outlet). The gas supply tubing was too long for its intended purpose and posed a hazard in its coiled state near…
Key:
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