Release in a Chemicals Plant
A hydrogen leak alarm was received in the control room from the reformer of the hydrogen plant of a chemicals manufacturing facility. The reformed was depressurised and the leak stopped. The leak was reported to the duty officer and nitrogen flushing was started in the reformer. The leak, a 15 mm rupture at the bottom of the tank, was located in a couple of hours. In measurements performed after the nitrogen flushing, hydrogen was still found to be present in the tank, apparently having been left in the catalysts and inside the pocket on the upper section of the tank. The top flange of the tank was opened and nitrogen flushing was continued from below with a hose.
Event Date
June 13, 2004
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
Rupture at the bottom of the tank.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
steam methane reformer, catalysist
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Pre-event Summary
A hydrogen leak alarm was received in the control room from the reformer of the hydrogen plant of a chemicals manufacturing facility.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Release Type
Release Substance
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
HSE source VARO13062004