Hydrogen Release from a Compressed Gas Trailer
A pallet containing 9 hydrogen cylinders is damaged during the operation of unloading the cylinders trailer by means of a forklift. A 2 mm wide crack, caused by the fork, is observed on a flexible. The fire brigade decided for an emergency and evacuation zone of 200 m. The intervention of an expert allowed to measure a remaining pressure in the pallet of 100 bar. He tightened a nut and stopped the leak after approximately 3 hours. The amount of hydrogen released was estimated at 30 m3.
Event Date
November 10, 1989
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
Immediate cause was the damage of compressed hydrogen cylinders by a forklift
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
compressed hydrogen trailers. cylinders pallet
Storage/Process Medium
Actual Pressure
200
Design Pressure
200
Location Type
Location description
Countryside Road Or Highway
Consequences
Number of Injured Persons
1
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The measures taken after the event to avoid its new occurrence are unknown.it is obvious that improved procedures during unloading process were required, and/or better protection of the pressurised components of the pellet.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The fire brigade decided for an emergency zone of 200 m. Workers of 20 companies were evacuated. The traffic on neighbouring roads stopped.
Release Type
Release Substance
Release Amount (kg)
3.00
Hole Shape
Hole Length (mm)
2
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Event description in French database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/1380/
(accessed September 2020)