Emergency Shutdown of a Sofc Plant
This near miss occurred at a CHP plant operation with a SOFC. During the heating phase, the SOFC stopped due to the opening of the mainpower switch.This was due to a contact problem inside the SOFC module, but the reason was not clear at first. Many equipment had to be double checked to avoid problem to other components.Because the SOFC module was at high temperature and a bad smell was coming from the module (probably because of an electrical wire touching some metallic parts), it was decided to go into a safety mode shutdown.The gas was stopped by the main gas valve, while heating circuit was kept working to cool down the unit. A portable gas sensor was used by plant workers to check possible gas leakages, but nothing was detected. The SOFC went into shutdown mode (flushed with N2) and cooled down slowly.Manufacturer's personnel performed a maintenance onsite to repair the problem and increased the distance between the wire and the metallic part.
Event Date
January 16, 2019
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
sensor
Storage/Process Medium
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Safety procedures were correctly implemented. Some modification was done to the system (power cabling). The following two lessons learned are reported for the plan operator:(1) Importance of having safety procedures already planned and implemented at the plant site .(2) Cooperation with the manufacturer team remotely connected to detect the problem and organize an effective and quick maintenance visit.The following lesson learned are reported for the plant manufacturer:(3) to have a check of the design of the BoP around the stack modules.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Report provided but confidential