Fire from a Liquid Hydrogen Truck
The truck was delivering hydrogen to a steel products plant and contained from 1500 to 2000 gallons of liquid hydrogen (approximately 7000 to 9000 l). The hydrogen was being pumped from the trucks tank to a tank alongside the business, when the hydrogen vapour were vented and ignited. Witnesses spoke of a 'large explosive noise' (see references). The emergency services closed the traffic and evacuated several businesses, schools and homes for a few hours.
Event Date
August 29, 2018
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The only fact apparently certain is that the hydrogen was release through tank the safe valve.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
liquid hydrogen truck, steel production plant
Storage/Process Medium
Storage/Process Quantity
9000
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area Near Inhabited Area
Currency
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The surrounding area was evacuated. The hydrogen was apparently left venting and dispersing till emptying of the tank.
Release Type
Release Substance
Hydrogen Release Concentration (%)
100.00
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Flame Type
Source Category
References
References
Metroforensics news of August 29, 2018
https://metroforensics.blogspot.com/2018_08_30_archive.html
(accessed November 2020)
Hard Working Trucks news of August 29, 2018
(accessed November 2020)
https://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/explosion-during-hydrogen-tanker-truc…