Burst of a Tank Due to Accidental Formation of Hydrogen
A tank receives, after a negative reactivity test with the bottom supernatant of the tank, 20 m of methyl hydro-dichloro-silane, then 24 m of a mixture of oil and tar (negative reactivity test) and 10 m of a Tar mixture (no reactivity test). Simultaneously, the operator feeds an oven by pumping into the tank. A reaction appears 24 hours after these discharges, filters clog up, the tank overflows, then the reaction stops. The management states that there is no danger; 15 days later a sudden release of hydrogen occurs with a projection of solid polymer within a radius of 25 m. The tank is found inflated and disengaged from its base, broken anchors.
Event Date
August 18, 1983
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
delayed chemical reaction forming gaseous hydrogen
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
chemicals storage tank
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References