Release and Fire from a Hydrogen Line of a Hydrotreater
Hydrogen leak from a valve, with delayed ignition and consequent engulfing fire.The bonnet of a 2 inch valve on hydrogen quench line of a lube oil hydrotreater began to leak.The operative conditions were at 3000 psi and 730 degrees F (ca. 200 bar and ca. 390 C). 12 minutes later ignition occurred with fire engulfing the upper portion of the unit. The gas could not be blocked in and the fire burned for over 2 days.
Event Date
June 23, 1987
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
Hydrogen leak
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
Valve of a hydrogen quench line, lube oil hydrotreater
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The gas could not be blocked in and the fire burned for over 2 days.
Release Type
Release Substance
Ignition Source
Ignition Delay (s)
7000
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category