Event
- Event ID
- 762
- Quality
- Description
- A runaway chemical reaction happened in a reactor containing methanol and a substance to be hydrogenated. A large quantity of hydrogen was released; a balloon containing a borohydride exploded. Two operators are hospitalised, and the workshop roof was blown off.
- Event Initiating system
- Classification of the physical effects
- Hydrogen Release and Ignition
- Nature of the consequences
- Macro-region
- Europe
- Country
- France
- Date
- Main component involved?
- Reactor / Oven / Furnace / Test Chamber
- How was it involved?
- Internal Explosion
- Initiating cause
- Run-Away Reaction
- Root causes
- Unknown (No additional details provided)
Facility
- Application
- Chemical Industry
- Sub-application
- Farmaceutical manufacturing
- Hydrogen supply chain stage
- All components affected
- reactor
- Location type
- Confined
- Location description
- Industrial Area
- Operational condition
- Unknown (No additional details provided)
Emergency & Consequences
- Number of injured persons
- 2
- Number of fatalities
- 0
- Post-event summary
- Two operators were hospitalized, the roof of the workshop was blown.
Event Nature
- Release type
- gas
- Involved substances (% vol)
- H2,
CH3OH,
B2H6 - Presumed ignition source
- Run-away reaction
References
- Reference & weblink
ARIA data base event no. 15140<br />
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/15140/<br />
(accessed October 2025)
JRC assessment
- Sources categories
- ARIA
