Explosion in an Hazardous Waste Treatment Plant, Possible Caused by Hydrogen
In the acid treatment room of a Seveso low-threshold hazardous waste treatment centre, an explosion occurred on a 250 m concrete tank containing acid sludge being neutralized. The explosion occurred when the employee left the room and cut off the lighting of the building. The building was evacuated. The employee, severely burned, was transported to the hospital. Firefighters intervened. The concentration close to tank ceiling was 80% of the LFL. The operator filled the tank with water. The next day, the concentration was less than 10% of the LFL.The upper hatch of the tank was torn off. 30 m of false ceiling were blown.The presence of H2 was suspected to be at the origin of the event. The company has never controlled this room so no reference explosion-related survey is available.
Event Date
May 26, 2018
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
The presence of H2 was suspected to be at the origin of the event.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
hazardous waste treatment center, acid treatment room
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Pre-event Summary
250 m concrete tank, the explosion occurred when the employee leaves the room and cuts off the lighting of the building.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The building was evacuated. Firefighters intervened.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
ARIA data base
event no. 51639