Severity
Incident
Leak
Yes
Ignition
Yes
Ignition Source
spark from switching instrument on

A researcher was using numerous compressed gases in his lab. To facilitate reconfiguring his experimental apparatus, he installed "quick-disconnect" fittings on flexible tubing connected to his compressed gas cylinders/regulators. He also fitted all of the equipment that needed gas with complementary "quick-disconnect" fittings.

The day of the incident, he needed to purge his IR spectrometer with nitrogen as the element heated up. He mistakenly attached the "quick-disconnect" fitting from a cylinder of 10% nitrogen and 90% hydrogen to the "quick-disconnect" fitting on his spectrometer. As soon as the gas started flowing and he switched on the element, the instrument exploded, completely destroying a $6,000 piece of equipment. Only minor damage was done to the rest of the room, and luckily there were no injuries.

Incident Date
Jan 01, 1982
Setting
Laboratory
Equipment
  • Piping/Fittings/Valves
  • Flexible Tubing
  • Laboratory Equipment
  • IR spectrometer
  • Piping/Fittings/Valves
  • quick disconnect fittings
Damage and Injuries
Property Damage
Probable Cause
Human Error
Inadequate Equipment
Contributing Factors
Situational Awareness
When Incident Discovered
During Operations
Lessons Learned

The lessons learned from this incident are:

Verify the gas that you are using.
Avoid using "quick-disconnect" fittings in this type of situation. If they are absolutely needed, there are sets available that ensure that every pair of matching fittings are different from all the others.

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