Burst of a Tank Due to Accidental Formation of Hydrogen
A tank receives, after a negative reactivity test with the bottom supernatant of the tank, 20 m of methyl hydro-dichloro-silane, then 24 m of a mixture of oil and tar (negative reactivity test) and 10 m of a Tar mixture (no reactivity test). Simultaneously, the operator feeds an oven by pumping into the tank. A reaction appears 24 hours after these discharges, filters clog up, the tank overflows, then the reaction stops. The management states that there is no danger; 15 days later a sudden release of hydrogen occurs with a projection of solid polymer within a radius of 25 m. The tank is found inflated and disengaged from its base, broken anchors.
Event Date
August 18, 1983
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes (Select all applicable options):
Cause Comments
delayed chemical reaction forming gaseous hydrogen
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
chemicals storage tank
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Currency
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Emergency Action
Unknown
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References