Hydrogen Leak Ignites in Compressor Crank Room, Injuring Operator
While making preparation for operation of a compressor supplying hydrogen to a heavy oil desulfurization unit, an operator got injured as the checking cover of a crank room came off, emitting a hot wind. Usually, nitrogen is supposed to be supplied to purge hydrogen leaking from the shaft of a cylinder at the compressor, on the day of the incident, a nitrogen flow meter failed to stop the nitrogen purging. As a result, hydrogen leaking from the shaft entered the crank room and was ignited by a spark, with the checking cover scattering away by an expansion force.
Event Date
February 9, 1988
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
desulfurization reactor, hydrogen compressor, flow meter
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
"1. Equipment factor2. Poor apparatus"
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Orignal source lost. RISCAD is closed.