Hydrogen-Nitrogen-Ammonia Mixture Explodes in Ammonia Synthesis Unit
A release of a mixture of hydrogen, nitrogen and ammonia ignited and exploded in the ammonia synthesis unit. The release occurred on a flange of the heat exchanger. and was due to a crack on the pipe.The gas mix consisted in 69% of hydrogen, 23% of nitrogen and 8% of ammonia.
Event Date
September 14, 2000
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The release is due to a crack on the pipe.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
flange, pipe, heat exchanger
Storage/Process Medium
Actual Pressure
300
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Number of Fatalities
2
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The employees shut down the compressors and the circulation pumps, and alerted the fire brigade of a neighbouring company. The fire was extinguished within 45 minutes by injecting pressurised nitrogen. .
Release Type
Release Substance
Hydrogen Release Concentration (%)
8.00
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Event no 19080 of the French database ARIA