Fire at a Electrolyzer in a Chemical Plant
The fire started in a electrolysis cell. The fire originated from a hydrogen leak in the hydrogen over pressure control system of the cell and an unidentified ignition source. The ARIA report (sew references) calls this control system a "hydrogen guard". The hydrogen leak comes from a lack of water in the guard due to the lack of filling of the guards by the operators and their flushing.The flushing of the hydrogen through the guard was caused by the rise in pressure of the hydrogen line due to the activation of the chlorine burner. This one had detected a drop in hydrogen pressure probably due to pressure losses due to frost-related blockages. In addition, operators had not performed the filling of the water sear in the hydrogen guard because of to the imminent shutdown of electrolysis.They were also busy managing smokes on several cells. There were no clear instructions to prioritize level verification in the hydrogen water sear.
Event Date
January 14, 2017
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
electrolyzer, hydrogen guards
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The ARIA report does not directly lesson learned elements. Nevertheless, it should be investigated if it is possible to provide efficient passive barriers in case of active barriers deactivation. Also procedures (control) and their priority should be reviewed.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
No information in the ARIA report, except that the emergency stop was triggered and the fire was extinguished with the help of fire extinguishers and wet mop to cool the cell cap.
Release Type
Release Substance
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Flame Type
Source Category
References
References
Event description in the French database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/49539/
(accessed September 2020)