Burst of Hydrogen Tank Due to Adverse Weather Conditions
A fire and a series of explosions occurred on a petrochemical plant, causing damage to process vessels, containment walls and process utility piping. It is believed that lightning struck a two story tall compressed hydrogen tank, which caused explosion in an aluminum alkyls distillation vessel. It was not known why the hydrogen tank exploded as it was equipped with relief valves and was grounded.
Event Date
June 26, 1982
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes (Select all applicable options):
Cause Comments
believed, lightning struck
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
Tank
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
Hydrogen pressure vessel failed causing extensive property damage. Failure was due to peaking in the zone of the longitudinal welds of the pressure vessel and execution of the welding seams - inside weld reinforcement and undercutting in the transitional zone cover pass/base metal, cyclic pressure loading due to discharging and filling operation of the H2 storage tank (in this case about 1500 load cycles) and pure hydrogen.
Number of Injured Persons
1
Currency
Lessons Learned
It was not known why the hydrogen tank exploded as it was equipped with relief valves and was grounded.
Emergency Action
Unknown
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
source lost