First Name
Andy
Last Name
Piatt
Severity
Incident
Was Hydrogen Released?
Yes
Was There Ignition?
Yes
Incident Date
Jun 08, 2011
Setting
Equipment
  • Laboratory Equipment
  • Glassware
Damage and Injuries
Probable Cause
When Incident Was Discovered
Lessons Learned

As stated on the MSDS and also on the container labels, LiAlH4 should be handled under argon. LiAlH4 is advertised and sold as a powder. If the researcher had to scrape it out of the jar, then it was no longer a powder, which seems indicative of past reaction that may have been due to exposure to atmospheric moisture.

The manufacturer stated that they do not have any first-hand data suggesting that friction alone could cause ignition. All of their handling of LiAlH4 is performed inside a glove bag under an argon atmosphere, so they have never had a fire during the packaging process. They recommend handling LiAlH4 under argon in a glove box or glove bag to minimize oxygen and moisture contact and, therefore, minimize the chance of a fire.

The university ES&H department did some searching online and found several relevant websites that provide confirmation that friction alone in the presence of air may be able to ignite LiAlH4.

http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/989

http://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_EN_CB7318252.htm

http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/dmt/dmt_synthesis1.shtml (scroll down to step 3)

http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/labsafetymanual/cheminfo/lah.htm

Since the university has adopted the following standard operating procedures, there has not been a reoccurrence of this type of incident:

Only non-metal spatulas are to be used with metal hydrides.
All work with metal hydrides must be done under an inert gas atmosphere (either argon or nitrogen).

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