Minor Hydrogen Leak Detected at Refueling Station
During a filling at a hydrogen refuelling station, the station was shut down due to a gas detection. The leak was extremely small and difficult to locate but the gas was directed upwards towards the gas sensor which shut down the station. The safety equipment performed well as it should and safely shutdown the station. The tiny leak was located about 8 cm from the end fitting in the middle of the hose.Discovered during inspection.
Event Date
December 3, 2012
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
It is suspected that the hose failure was due to an extreme temperature swing. It was the first really cold weather we had experienced being between -15 and -18c. The hose was sent back to the manufacturer for testing and no leak was found which was very interesting. The cause was never officially determined but the problem was resolved.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
High pressure dispenser hose
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Operational Condition
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
No real lessons learnt as it seemed to be a defective part. All safety equipment operated as designed and shut the system down.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The safety equipment shut down the station.
Emergency Evaluation
All safety equipment operated as designed and shut the system down.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Report provided but confidential