Leakage in an ammonia and fertilisers plant

A hydrogen leakage occurred in the ammonia workshop of a plant manufacturing nitrogen products and fertilizer (classified SEVESO high threshold).
It was detected by an operator in charge of safety checks, by the noise and by his portable gas detector. After confirming the leak, the operator stopped the piping (30 bar) to repair it. The ammonia workshop was also partially shut down. The operator closed the section at the origin of the leak by installing a threaded and welded plug.
The leak was due to corrosion under insulation on a DN50 dead arm: a 90 ° elbow punctured on DN400 piping. The control plan for the piping was not foreseeing the removal of the insulation of this section.
The Classified Installations Inspectorate requests the RIS (Recognized Inspection Service) to review these plans to check sensitive areas of piping throughout the plant.

The leak was due to corrosion under insulation on a DN50 dead arm: a 90 ° elbow punctured on DN400 piping. The control plan for the piping was not foreseeing the removal of the insulation of this section.

ammonia synthesis reactor, hydrogen pipe

A operator was carrying out safety checks in the ammonia workshop.

The ammonia workshop was partially shut down.

The Classified Installations Inspectorate requests the RIS (Recognized Inspection Service) to review these plans to check sensitive areas of piping throughout the plant.