Leakage of Potassium Hydroxide from a Water Electrolyzer
The incident consisted of a leakage of potassium hydroxide solution (KOH) from an alkaline electrolyzer in a renewable hydrogen production plant. One webpage news reported that smoke formation triggered the fire alarm system. According to the manufacturer, the equipment shut down and automatically went into safety mode in accordance with the integrated safety system.Nobody was injured in the event and there was no damage on the environment.
Event Date
June 24, 2021
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The immediate cause, according to the investigation results, was the formation of deposits which gradually restricted the flow in the channels of the stack. This led to a series of internal events within the stack that triggered a potassium hydroxide leakage.Although not very specific, this information hint at a possible design or operation root cause.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
Alkaline electrolyzer
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Operational Condition
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
CORRECTIVE ACTIONSThe electrolyzer manufacturer performed an inspection campaign by the other sites equipped with a similar model of electrolyzer. It reinforced also its quality process, inspection and maintenance procedures.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Release Type
Release Substance
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Report from the manufacturer, available (for example) at
https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/5058195b-a972-433a-80…