LESSONS
LEARNED
Disclaimer: The Lessons Learned Database includes the incidents that were voluntarily submitted. The database is not a comprehensive source for all incidents that have occurred.

Explosion Caused by Microbial Hydrogen Formation

Severity
Incident
Was Hydrogen Released?
Yes
Was There Ignition?
Yes
Incident Date
Incident Attributes
Setting
Paper Mill
Equipment
Electrical Equipment
Pulp Storage Tank
Damage and Injuries
Property Damage
Probable Cause
Abnormal Operations
Contributing Factors
Equipment Failure
Situational Awareness
When Incident Was Discovered
During Operations
Lessons Learned

The accident proves that under special circumstances, the potential hazard connected with unforeseen microbial gas formation and accumulation should not be neglected. Thus, to avoid new accidents at the paper mill described above, the tower has now been equipped with a high-capacity fan for dilution of possible gases with air. Precautions are also taken to reduce the microbial contamination.

Supporting Documents
Storage Tower.jpg

Key:

  • = No Ignition
  • = Explosion
  • = Fire
Hydrogen Incident Summaries by Equipment and Primary Cause/Issue
Equipment / CauseEquipment Design or SelectionComponent FailureOperational ErrorInstallation or MaintenanceInadequate Gas or Flame DetectionEmergency Shutdown ResponseOther or Unknown
Hydrogen Gas Metal Cylinder or Regulator 3/31/2012
4/30/1995
2/6/2013		4/26/201012/31/1969  3/17/1999
11/1/2001
12/23/2003
Piping/Valves4/4/2002
2/2/2008
5/11/1999		4/20/1987
11/4/1997
12/31/1969
8/19/1986
7/27/1991
12/19/2004
2/6/2008
10/3/2008
4/5/2006
5/1/2007
9/19/2007
10/31/1980		2/7/20091/24/1999
2/24/2006
6/8/1998
12/31/1969
2/7/2009		9/1/1992
10/31/1980		10/3/2008 
Tubing/Fittings/Hose 9/23/1999
8/2/2004
8/6/2008
9/19/2007		1/1/19829/30/2004
10/7/2005		 10/7/2005 
Compressor 10/5/2009
6/10/2007
8/21/2008
1/15/2019		  10/5/20098/21/2008 
Liquid Hydrogen Tank or Delivery Truck4/27/198912/19/2004
1/19/2009		8/6/200412/31/1969 1/1/197412/17/2004
Pressure Relief Device7/25/2013
5/4/2012		1/15/2002
1/08/2007		12/31/1969    
Instrument1/15/20193/17/1999
12/31/1969
2/6/2013		  11/13/73  
Hydrogen Generation Equipment7/27/1999  10/23/2001   
Vehicle or Lift Truck 7/21/2011    2/8/2011
12/9/2010
Fuel Dispenser 8/2/2004
5/1/2007
6/11/2007
9/19/2007		 2/24/2006
1/22/2009		   
Fuel Cell Stack      5/3/2004
12/9/2010
2/8/2011
Hydrogen Cooled Generator   12/31/1969
2/7/2009		   
Other (floor drain, lab
anaerobic chamber,
heated glassware,
test chamber,
gaseous hydrogen
composite cylinder,
delivery truck)		 11/14/1994
7/21/2011		7/27/1999
6/28/2010
8/21/2008		12/31/1969
3/22/2018		  6/10/2019
  • = No Ignition
  • = Explosion
  • = Fire

This material was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government.
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