Fire on an Alkaline Electrolyzer
A fire broke out on the insulating plastic elements of an alkaline electrolyzer in a unit of a chemical plant. The shift saw the smoke from the control room. The first action was to drain the potash into a tank provided for this purpose and to shut down the electrolyzer. The on-call electrician interrupted the electricity. The safety technician brought the fire under control in less than 10 minutes using CO2 extinguishers. After approximately six hours, the unit is restarted.
Event Date
September 10, 2022
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The initiating cause of the event was potash leak on the electrolyzer block that induced an electric arc between the electric block and the busbar. This ignition caused a rise in temperature followed by the outbreak of fire.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
Alkaline electrolyzer
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Operational Condition
Consequences
Number of Injured Persons
3
Number of Fatalities
1
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Following the event, the operator implemented the following actions: Increase the frequency of predictive and preventive maintenance: preventive visit to each electrolyzer with cleaning or repair if necessary; Add to the return of experience the occurrence of this event; Increase operator awareness.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The following steps were taken: The potash was drained into a tank provided for this purpose and to shut down the electrolyzer. The on-call electrician interrupted the electricity. A no-go area is defined with ribbons and the metallic curtain are opened to provide natural ventilation. The technician controls the electrolyzer using a thermal camera. The safety technician brought the fire under control in less than 10 minutes using CO2 extinguishers. After approximately six hours, the unit is restarted.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References