Explosion at a rubber factory, caused by accidental hydrolysis of chemicals.

At a rubber factory, an explosion occurred inside a lubricant container filled with 18 tonnes of tri-(nonylphenyl) phosphate (TNPP or TNPA).
This tank was typically stirred and maintained at 45°C. However, the heating circuit routed to the container had broken down 7 days earlier.
With the polluted TNPP scheduled for disposal, the accident occurred during a sawing operation to remove the walkway interfering with the manhole opening.
The TNPP substance underwent hydrolysis in contact with water leaking via the broken coil; the resultant phosphoric acid corroding the steel on the container caused hydrogen to form. The relatively slow hydrolysis reaction was no doubt catalysed by metal particles (rust, etc.).

A technician was seriously injured due to a fall.

INITIATING cause: the release of TNPP substance which underwent hydrolysis in contact with water leaking via the broken coil with consequent formation of hydrogen. Ignition very probably was catalysed by metal particles (rust, etc.).

a lubricant container filled with tri-(nonylphenyl) phosphite (TNPP or TNPA)

This tank was typically stirred and maintained at 45°C; however, the heating circuit routed to the container had broken down 7 days earlier.
The accident occurred during a sawing operation to remove the walkway interfering with the manhole opening. The sawing operation was aiming at disposing polluted TNPP.

A technician was seriously injured due to a fall.