Severity
Incident
Was Hydrogen Released?
Yes
Was There Ignition?
Yes
Incident Date
Dec 31, 1969
Setting
Laboratory
Equipment
  • Motive Power Systems
  • Compressor
  • Piping/Fittings/Valves
  • Valve
  • Ventilation System
  • Vent Stack Cap
Damage and Injuries
Property Damage
Probable Cause
Design Flaw
Contributing Factors
Change in Procedures, Equipment, or Materials
Equipment Failure
Human Error
Characteristics
High Pressure (> 100 bar)
When Incident Was Discovered
During Operations
Lessons Learned

First, it appears that the system may not have been vented properly. CGA G-5.5 should be used for determining safe locations based on the variables of the specific setup. Also, if the compressor was tied to a storage system, a backflow prevention device may have limited the amount of gas that was released. Finally, it appears that equipment was left in place from previous activities. Such equipment should be evaluated to make sure that it is appropriate and safe for use in new processes.

Post date
September, 2017

Key:

  • = No Ignition
  • = Explosion
  • = Fire
Hydrogen Incident Summaries by Equipment and Primary Cause/Issue
Equipment / Cause Equipment Design or Selection Component Failure Operational Error Installation or Maintenance Inadequate Gas or Flame Detection Emergency Shutdown Response Other or Unknown
Hydrogen Gas Metal Cylinder or Regulator   3/31/2012
4/30/1995
2/6/2013		 4/26/2010 12/31/1969     3/17/1999
11/1/2001
12/23/2003
Piping/Valves 4/4/2002
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		 2/7/2009 1/24/1999
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		 1/1/1982 9/30/2004
10/7/2005		   10/7/2005  
Compressor   10/5/2009
6/10/2007
8/21/2008
1/15/2019		     10/5/2009 8/21/2008  
Liquid Hydrogen Tank or Delivery Truck 4/27/1989 12/19/2004
1/19/2009		 8/6/2004 12/31/1969   1/1/1974 12/17/2004
Pressure Relief Device 7/25/2013
5/4/2012		 1/15/2002
1/08/2007		 12/31/1969        
Instrument 1/15/2019 3/17/1999
12/31/1969
2/6/2013		     11/13/73    
Hydrogen Generation Equipment 7/27/1999     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