Fire on a Hydrogen Gasholder
[NOTE: One source speak of a hydrogen gasometer, spanish news speak in general of gas, others of ntural gas or coal gas; considering the main product of the factory, it was chosen for this last version, but is is rather doubtful]This incident occurred at a coal gas storage (gasometer) system of a producer of foundry coke. The gasholder was a variable capacity tank, rising in height depending on the amount of gas stored, with a maximum capacity of 24,000 m3.Company sources said that the fire was caused as a result of a spark and a gas leak that was being repaired by the operators. The alarm went off at about 10:30 when the emergency services received notice of a fire at the gas tank. The fire fighters worked to avoid an explosion. At 11:30, the real possibility of an explosion forced the emergency management to evacuate all people living and working within a radius of 500 metres. The initial fire slightly affected two operators who later rejoined the company.
Event Date
November 18, 2011
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
gasometer
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
According to the company the storage system was checked every day. It in the process of being checked when the leak was detected.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
According to local media, fire-fighters were standing on the roof of the gasholder and were poking a fire hose through an access hole. About one hundred residents and workers from surrounding businesses were evacuated from their homes and workplaces. They spent the day and night away from home as a precautionary measure.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Primary source lost
El Mundo News of 18 November 2011
https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/11/18/paisvasco/1321599247.html
(accessed August 2023)