Explosion at Generator Unit of the a Power Plant
A hydrogen-cooled electricity generator exploded inside a coal-fired power plant killing two workers and injuring fifty others. An investigation into the incident found that a hydrogen gas leak may have caused the explosion, which occurred as the generator was being tested following routine maintenance.A press release of the company (see references) immediately after the accident stated that their "safety procedures may not have been followed"
Event Date
August 4, 1999
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
Immediate cause was the cover accessing generator cooling system was prematurely opened during a maintenance outage (according to the company first statement).
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
generator, hydrogen cooled
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Pre-event Summary
Accident took place during maintenance.Gaseous hydrogen was used to cool power generators during normal operation. The gas was contained in a closed system under pressure. The hydrogen had to be removed before starting maintenance.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
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
Company news release of 9 April 1999,
https://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mediacenter/article/index.cfm?art…
(accessed September 2020)