Hydrogen Explosion in a Rocket Fuels Laboratory
In a laboratory, tests with hydrogen as aerospace rocket propellants were carried out. One of the experiments consisted in the generation of a vertical jet (turbulent regime) to determine the sound levels emitted by jets of H2 gas. The flow was increased up to 55 kg / s. After 23 s, while decreasing the flow, the hydrogen ignited. A fireball was formed followed immediately by an explosion. The Vapour Cloud explosion VCE (mainly negative overpressure) caused damage to structures of the surrounding buildings (walls, doors, roofs). The over-pressure was estimated at 0.035 bar to 45 m and the amount of H2 involved in the explosion is 90 kg. According to the ARIA report (see reference) The cause of the ignition appeared to be due to static electricity and / or a spark of mechanical origin.
Event Date
January 9, 1964
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The immediate cause ignition was probably due to static electricity and / or a spark of mechanical origin.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
laboratory, vertical jet experiment
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Pre-event Summary
According to the Wikipedia page dedicated to the testing facility, previous accidents with hydrogen had already taken place in the year 1960-64. This is not surprising, because the laboratory was one of the first in the world studying hydrogen properties.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Release Substance
Hydrogen Release Concentration (%)
100.00
Release Duration (s)
23
Release Rate (kg/s)
55.00
Release Amount (kg)
90.00
Ignition Source
Ignition Delay (s)
23
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Flame Type
Source Category
References
References
Event description in the French database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/10095_en/?lang=…
(accessed October 2020)
Prof. J. Lee presentation at 1st European Summer School on Hydrogen Safety (ESSH)
available at the HySafe project site
http://www.hysafe.org/science/eAcademy/php/1stesshsprogram.php
(see slides from 13 to 15, accessed October 2020)