Severity
Incident
Was Hydrogen Released?
Yes
Was There Ignition?
Yes
Ignition Source
self-ignition
Incident Date
Apr 24, 2006
Setting
Equipment
- Piping/Fittings/Valves
- Flange
- Piping/Fittings/Valves
- Bolts
Damage and Injuries
Probable Cause
Contributing Factors
Characteristics
When Incident Was Discovered
Lessons Learned
The incident was the result of a combination of factors leading to exceptional temperature conditions that were not taken into account in the mechanical design of the reactor. Corrective actions that were implemented by the plant management included:
redefinition of the appropriate tightening torque on flanges
improved design of the leak collector on the flange (which failed during the accident)
creation of a nitrogen injection system in the leak collector
installation of a steam-injection system to protect the bottom part of the synthesis reactor.