Explosion in a Hydrogen Production Unit
An explosion and fire occurred at a hydrogen production plant serving the hydrocracker and the diesel hydroteater of a nearby refineryNo injuries were reported among the employees.According to the plant owner, the incident occurred in the collection manifold, also referred to as a collection header or a transfer line, due to the failure of an external carbon steel pipe of the collection manifold.
Event Date
December 8, 2009
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
According to one of the sources, the plant owner and operator suited a contractor for the "for causing the energy release, saying they negligently failed to provide it with accurate safe operating temperatures, failed to warn of the potential for a cracked refractory inside the collection manifold and failed to design the collection manifold from materials able to withstand the potential operating temperature."
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
pipe, gas boiler
Storage/Process Medium
Actual Pressure
0
Design Pressure
0
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
The hydrogen is delivered to a refinery to refine heavy oil.Nothing is known on the production technology, the production capacity, etc.
Consequences
Number of Injured Persons
1
Number of Fatalities
1
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
According to the spokewoman, the fire was quickly under control.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Reuter news of 8 December 2009
https://www.reuters.com/article/refinery-operations-motiva-portarthur-i…
(accessed Aug 2023)