Hydrogen Balloons Explosion
An accident occurred prior to the performance of a hydrogen-oxygen balloon demonstration, seriously injuring the demonstrator, who suffered painful second-degree burns to his right forearm and had to be taken to the hospital. The paramedics feared that grave respiratory damage (due to flame inhalation) might have occurred.To prepare for the demonstration, the demonstrator had transported 15 balloons (pre-filled with a hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture) in a large, black polyethylene garbage bag. During the demonstration set-up he opened the bag to remove a single balloon for stringing and floating. Without warning the entire bag of balloons detonated violently. Fortunately, the incident occurred an hour prior to the program and no one else was near. It was also fortunate that only a small box caught fire and that none of the other chemicals, already in place for other demonstrations, became involved. The demonstrator suggests that the slow leakage of hydrogen from the balloons (no balloon type is capable of completely containing hydrogen gas) allowed for the accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen in the bag's headspace. The dry, sealed bag created an environment ripe for the generation of static electricity. Simply touching the balloons ignited the headspace, and, thus, all fifteen balloons.
Event Date
July 1, 2003
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The demonstrator suggests that the slow leakage of hydrogen from the balloons which allowed for the accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen in the bag's headspace.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
balloons
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Operational Condition
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
It is clear that the safe storage and transportation of balloons filled with a hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture is in doubt. There remain few scenarios that do not involve enclosed spaces.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Release Type
Release Substance
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Garry Garrett, J of Chemical Education, July 2003, Vol. 80 No. 7, p. 743.