Fire on a Hydrogen Compressor of Refinery
The broke out at a hydrogen compressor of the reforming unit of the refinery. Following the safety procedures, the emergency stop of the unit was activated and the unit was decompressed using a safety flare. The emergency plan was kept for an hour. A security perimeter is in place. The isolation of the compressor was started automatically. The isolation of the discharge circuit was successful, but the suction circuit could only be partially closed due to a block of a valve. The operators then closed manually the suction valve, by removing the excess of grease that had been applied to it. Nitrogen was injected into the suction circuit, to replace the still burning hydrogen. The gas detection system set up did not reveal any explosive atmosphere near the equipment.The leak of the oil/hydrogen mixture is estimated at 500 kg.Shortly before the event, during planned work, an unplanned tripping of the 400 V low voltage electrical panel had caused a loss of electrical power to the reforming unit. The triggering was due to the presence of an electrical bypass which had been left in the test position. The event sequence occurred as follows: 1. The lack of power supply caused the stop of the oil pump of the compressor. Another turbine-driven pump with the same role did not take over because it had not been foreseen its start-up in the event of a loss of electrical power. 2. The very low oil level caused the compressor to stop. 3. Hydrogen migrated through the sealing into the oil circuit, causing a pressure build-up. The final consequence was then the loss of containment of the oil and hydrogen mixture at the level of the motor of the valves regulating the inlet steam to the turbine. The release hydrogen quickly ignited.
Event Date
September 21, 2022
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
The immediate cause was the lack of power, which triggered a series of events in the hydrogen compressor which allowed hydrogen leaking into oil and causing loss of containment. The escalation could have been avoided if the redundancy in oil pumping could have been used also in case of loss of power. When mitigating the consequence, the procedures in place where well followed, but a material failure (valve not closing) was possible the consequence of inspection or maintenance or installation shortcomings.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
hydrogen compressor, oil pump, oil circuit, valves
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
Shortly before the event, during planned work, an unplanned tripping of the 400 V low voltage electrical panel had caused a loss of electrical power to the reforming unit.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The source does not report any corrective action. Based on the sequence of sub-events following the loss of power, a possible recommendation could be to perform a new risk assessment including the occurred accidental scenario, and develop better preventing/mitigating measures. One of this could to guarantee continuity of oil pumping power.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
1. the emergency stop of the unit was activated and the unit was decompressed using a safety flare. 2. The emergency plan was kept for an hour. A security perimeter is in place. 3. The isolation of the compressor started automatically. However, manual intervention was necessary to close completely one of the two insolation valves. 4. Nitrogen was injected into the suction circuit, to replace the still burning hydrogen. 5. The gas detection system was set up and did not reveal any explosive atmosphere near the equipment.
Emergency Evaluation
The emergency procedures in place was followed and worked in mitigation the effects of the fire.
Release Type
Release Substance
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
ARIA eventhttps://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/59706/
(accessed July 2023)