Release from a Liquid Hydrogen Storage
The rupture disk installed on a liquid hydrogen tank failed, in a plant producing organic chemicals, during the weekly shut down. The hydrogen ignited at the exit of the exhaust chimney. The fire and the gas release were stopped by simply closing a valve.
Event Date
October 6, 1991
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
The rupture disk failed
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
Liquid hydrogen tank, rupture disk, exhaust stack
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
The incident occurred during the week end, when the plant was closed.
Consequences
Number of Injured Persons
3
Currency
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The leak is stopped by closing a valve.
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
Event description in the French database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/2915/
(accessed December 2020)