Explosion in a Storage Tank of a Chemical Plant
A deflagration occurred inside the tank at the start of grinding operations. The tank had contained sulfuric acid. All preparatory procedures had been properly carried out: neutralisation of residual sludge with carbonate, measurement of oxygen and inflammable gases at various points. The explosion was due to the ignition of approximately 100 g of hydrogen in a dead zone of the tank, which had not been checked with detectors. The hydrogen had been produced by the corrosion of the iron of the tank by the sulfuric acid. The consequences were one dead and 2 severely injured. The tank was partially destroyed.
Event Date
August 9, 1989
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
Immediate cause is the ignition of undetected hydrogen in a dead zone of the reactor. One contribution cause was probably the incompleteness of operational processes.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
sulfuric acid storage tank.
Storage/Process Medium
Storage/Process Quantity
0
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Pre-event Summary
Grinding operations were starting.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The direct measures taken after the accidents are unknown. The logic recommendations which can be issued on the basis of the known facts are:1. To Improve flammable gases concentration measurements (more locations, more accuracy)2. To use inert gas (nitrogen) before maintenance actions
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Event description in French database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/169/
(accessed September 2020)