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Tube Trailer Vent System Ice Plugged - Frozen

Severity
Near-Miss
Was Hydrogen Released?
Yes
Was There Ignition?
No
Incident Date
Ignition Source
None
Incident Attributes
Participation
Describe the incident, including corrective steps taken and their result.

In 2024, there was an incident where a small tube trailer hydrogen rupture discs activated prematurely between 1200 - 1500 psig (typically these rupture discs activate @ ~ 3300 psig).    The rupture discs exist to protect the storage tubes in the case of an external fire from overpressure and rupture.  The trailer had multiple tubes on the chassis.

The entire tube trailer emptied through the single rupture disc as the tubes were interconnected.  No one was hurt, no equipment was damaged, and no fire resulted.

After investigation, it was determined that every storage tube relief device vent piping did not have weather caps on the vent tubes outlets, as required.  It was determined that water got into the vent pipes and froze, deforming the rupture disc.  This deformation caused the disc to open prematurely between 1200 and 1500 psig.   The biggest contributing factor was that the ambient temperature had dropped to 15 Deg F, which was very unusual for this area. 

This was a violation of CGA G-5.5 design requirements.

The tube trailer was taken off site by the industrial gas company for end of vent cap additions.

Lessons Learned

Follow CGA G-5.5 vent end system designs.

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
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