Hydrogen Jet Fire During Catalyst Transfer Extinguished with Nitrogen
A hydrogen jet fire occurred on a 25m3 tank while transferring a catalyst to a buffer tank. The constabulary created an area of safety around the plant while the staff extinguishes the fire by inerting the tank with nitrogen. The fire is extinguished prior to the arrival of fire brigade.
Event Date
November 28, 2002
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
The immediate cause seems to have been the initiation of a catalytic ignition of hydrogen. The root cause was found in wrong operation design.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
tank, catalyst
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
The hydrogen fire occurred when transferring a catalyst into a buffer tank.
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Following the analysis of the incident, a change on the operative was decided: prior to catalyst transfer, the tank must be placed under nitrogen, and a safety barrier was added on the tank.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The constabulary isolated the plant while the staff extinguishes the fire by inerting the tank with nitrogen. The fire is extinguished prior to the arrival of the fire brigade.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Flame Type
Source Category
References
References
Original description of the event in the database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/23600/