Fire of Released Coke Gas
Release of gas from a coking plant on a 20 000 cubic meters gas holder which ignited causing a fire. The accident took place during repair works. The gas was made of 65 % of hydrogen , 25 % of methane , 4.1 % of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide . About 100 firemen fought the fire with water nozzles. Fire was extinguished within 45 min. A safety area was set up. Because of the toxicity of the gas, about 40 people were evacuated. No consequence to the environment nor people. However, loss of production was significant.
Event Date
July 2, 1996
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
gas vessel, Metal refining and processing
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
Accident occurred during repair works at the coking plant, on a 20000 m3 gas holder. Gas composition:65 % of hydrogen (C.A.S. No: 1333-74-0), 25 % of methane (C.A.S. No: 74-82-8), 4.1 % of carbon monoxide (C.A.S. No: 630-08-0) and carbon dioxide (C.A.S. No: 124-38-9).
Consequences
Number of Injured Persons
1
Number of Fatalities
1
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The holes on the wall must be sealed with special tools and following special methods in order to avoid sparkle if the tank can not be inerted.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
About 100 firemen fought the fire with water nozzles ; it was extinguished within 45 min. A safety area was set up. Because of the toxicity of the gas, about 40 people were evacuated.
Release Type
Release Substance
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
From public part of MARS database