Release from a Hydrogen Truck
A hydrogen leak took place on a trailer carrying compressed hydrogen, located inside the fenced perimeter of a hydrogen station. According to the company managing the hydrogen delivery and refuelling station, the leak did not pose any risk to people or the environment. A preliminary assessment identified a faulty valve s source of the leak, but t was unclear a that time if it was a single defect or a systemic (i.e. design) problem. Following a detailed investigation in close cooperation with the trailer and valve suppliers, the company determined that the root cause of the valve malfunction was due to a set of improperly tightened bolts, causing an O-ring to burst.
Event Date
June 10, 2023
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
The initiating cause was a defective valve, unclear if a pressure relief valve. The root cause of the valve malfunction was probably the improper tightening of bolts which caused an O-ring to burst.The assembly error was not detected by valve supplier quality control nor by the trailer suppliers quality inspection. The fact that additional valves were found defective may suggests also a manufacturing cause.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
valve, compressed hydrogen cylinder, trailer
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
The trailer consisted of type 4 compressed hydrogen cylinders.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
unknown
Release Type
Release Substance
Hydrogen Release Concentration (%)
100.00
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Hydrogen insight news of 21 June 2023:
https://www.hydrogeninsight.com/transport/everfuel-halts-supply-to-its-…
a(accessed 22 June 2023)
Hydrogen insight news update of 21 June 2023:
https://www.hydrogeninsight.com/transport/everfuel-halts-supply-to-its-…
a(accessed 22 June 2023)
Hydrogen insight news update of 27 June 2023