Explosion in Catalyst Activation Unit Washer During Maintenance
An explosion without fire or gas emission occurred in the washer of the catalyst activation unit. The unit was stopped for maintenance : 3 external employees were checking the washer. The explosion occurs just after the opening of the manhole on the washer. The employee looking through the hole at this moment was seriously injured.
Event Date
April 25, 2001
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
One of the possible cause of the explosion could have been to the presence of hydrogen in the washer. Another cause, considered more probable by the ARIA report (see references) could be a secondary reaction or a reaction activation which was still running in the washer.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
washer, catalyst activation unit, Production of hexamethylenediamine
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
The catalyst is produced with a mixture of aluminum and nickel which reacts with soda to produce Raney nickel and hydrogen. Hydrogen is evacuated by the ventilation and the Raney nickel is transferred in the washer.
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The following measure were taken to avoid re-occurrence of he event:(1) To eliminate the risk of the accidental presence of hydrogen coming from other part of the installation, hydraulic safeguard of the washer was isolated from the other units;(2) The incident prevention plan of the factory was improved;(3) The evacuation rules were reviewed and improved.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
An explosion without fire or gas emission occurs in the washer of the catalyst activation unit. The unit was stopped for maintenance : 3 external employees were checking the washer. The explosion occurs just after the opening of the manhole on the washer. The employee looking through the hole at this moment is seriously injured. The firemen rescue the victims.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Event description no 20274 in the French database ARIA.