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Clean Hydrogen Partnership

Sulphuric acid reaction created hydrogen gas explosion.

Event

Event ID
753
Quality
Description
A dye beam operator was drawing concentrated sulphuric acid into a plastic pail. He added to this pail the contents of a "drip pail" which had been located under the 55 gallon acid drum. The pail started "smoking" and exploded a few seconds later, sending a plume of acid to the ceiling about 20 ft. Up. The operator and three other nearby employees and received skin burns when the acid rained down upon them. A fourth, further away, went to the hospital to have his ear plugs removed.
Event Initiating system
Classification of the physical effects
Hydrogen Release and Ignition
Nature of the consequences
Macro-region
North America
Country
United States
Date
Root causes
Root CAUSE analysis
Sulphuric acid reaction

Facility

Application
Chemical Industry
Sub-application
unspecified
Hydrogen supply chain stage
All components affected
acid drum
Location type
Unknown
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational condition
Pre-event occurrences
Unclear if the operation was part of the normal production cycle.

Emergency & Consequences

Number of injured persons
2
Number of fatalities
0

Event Nature

Release type
Gas-liquid mixture
Involved substances (% vol)
H2,
H2SO4
Presumed ignition source
Run-away reaction
Deflagration
Y

References

Reference & weblink

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA)- Accident Summary Nr: 14265011<br />
https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=142650… />
(accessed March 2023)

JRC assessment