Explosion and Fire from a Liquid Hydrogen Tanker
The incident occurred at a fuel cells manufacturing plant. The tanker was preparing to transfer liquid hydrogen to the company hydrogen bulk storage tank. During backing, it impacted an industrial building, causing a hole in the tank, with consequent leak and ignition. When the City fire brigade arrived on scene, the hydrogen gas was still escaping from the leak feeding the fire. They let the fire burn out and kept dousing the tanker till Saturday to reduce the temperature and to minimise possible the risk of explosion. A technician of the company delivering the hydrogen arrived on the site and isolated the leak by shutting off a valve.The truck driver suffered minor burns to his face but there were no other injuries or damage to the plant.
Event Date
August 6, 2004
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The immediate cause was the wrong maneuvering of the tanker driver. Nothing is known on the design or operation deficiencies which could have allowed the incident.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
liquid hydrogen tanker
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Inhabited Area
Pre-event Summary
The tanker was delivering liquid hydrogen to the company
Consequences
Number of Injured Persons
8
Currency
Property Loss (onsite)
Y
Property Loss (offsite)
N
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Company employees were evacuated, including those of a nearby company. An evacuation perimeter was created with a three-kilometre extension around the company, including a nearby golf club, The company operations were stopped until the following day.
Release Type
Release Substance
Hydrogen Release Concentration (%)
100.00
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
CASTANET news of 7 August 2004
https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/3211/Hydrogen-Fire-Cooling
(accessed November 2021)
VWvortex news of 7 august 2004
https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/those-who-believe-in-the-hydrogen-econ…
(accessed November 2021)