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This data is from the European Hydrogen Incidents and Accidents database HIAD 2.1, European Commission, Joint Research Centre.

Implosion/Explosion on a Furnace Copper Metallurgy Company
An implosion/explosion occurred on a furnace in a company of copper metallurgy. The incident occurred at the end of the production cycle, when the furnace bell is lifted at the end of the cooling process. The operator in charge of the lifting was thrown away and slightly burned in the face. The victim was evacuated and the emergency services were alerted. The building structures (windows, doors, roof) experienced serious damage. The power supply was switched off. The firefighters arrived after 30 minutes, secured the area, inspected the buildings and took measurements of the natural gas concentration. Access to the workshop was blocked.[ARIA event 57436]
Event Date
March 12, 2021
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes (Select all applicable options):
Cause Comments
According to the experts, the explosion was caused by the presence of a small quantity of hydrogen in the bell. Nevertheless, the vacuum pump was functioning normally. During the simulation of the accident conditions, several technical problems appeared that could explain the presence of residual hydrogen at the time of the accident.
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
Copper production , reaction furnace
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
During the reaction process, a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen is used in the furnace: 75% hydrogen + 25% nitrogen. This mixture is produced outside the building. At the end of reaction, The this furnace is filled with pure nitrogen. The quantity of gas present in the workshop is only that contained by the bell of the furnace and in the piping (10 m). The event took place at the end of the cooling process, after the furnace inerting operation.
Currency
Lessons Learned
it be useful to assess the efficacy of the inertisation step by measuring furnace gas composition.
Emergency Action
The power supply was switched off. The firefighters arrived after 30 minutes, secured the area, inspected the buildings and took measurements of the natural gas concentration. Access to the workshop was blocked.
Release Type
Release Substance
Hydrogen Release Concentration (%)
100.00
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Flame Length (m)
0.00
Source Category
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