| Case Name |
Explosion of a germane gas cylinder |
| Pictograph |
|
| Date |
November 26, 1984 |
| Place |
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Location |
Chemical Factory |
| Overview |
The cylinder filled with germane gas exploded when unloaded from the truck. It was explosive decomposition of germane gas, nature of which was not properly known. Not only the properties of the gas but also corrosion and service life of cylinder itself have to be considered when a cylinder is imported. |
| Incident |
The cylinder suddenly exploded, when the germane cylinder was unloaded from the vehicle. |
| Processing |
Transportation |
| Substance |
German, Fig2 |
| Type of Accident |
Explosion |
| Sequence |
On March 24th, 1984. The cylinder was retested.
On August 9th. The germane gas was filled.
On October 3rd. The cylinder left New York
On November 9th. The cylinder arrived at Oi wharf.
On November 21st. The cylinder was cleared customs.
On November 26th. The cylinder exploded at the factory on delivery. |
| Cause |
It was assumed that germane was decomposed and exploded, and the cylinder burst. |
| Countermeasures |
Safety instructions from the manufacturer should be observed. A safety assessment should be conducted on a new gas. |
| Knowledge Comment |
Imported gas with a hazard of explosive decomposition does not always meet the criteria of the importing country, even if it fulfills the criteria of exporting countries. |
| Background |
Since germane was newly imported from the USA, there was no information available on its nature and how to handle it. It was confirmed after the accident that germane can cause explosive decomposition at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure if it gains sufficient energy. The cylinder, which was over 20 years old and had no record of its past usage, is considered to be the main cause of the explosion, although it is not clear whether its old deteriorated valve caused the explosion or the way it was transported in a half-liquefied state. |
| Sequel |
About testimony: Serious injury could cause loss of memory about the events of the day.
At present, the amount of gas to be filled is limited to keeping the pressure under the test pressure of the cylinder, even if explosive decomposition takes place in the cylinder. |
| Incidental Discussion |
The witness's testimony. "Explosion occurred when I took off the fitting of the bomb (called Gathya) and tried to stand the cylinder." |
| Reason for Adding to DB |
Example of accident caused due to a lack of recognition about hazardous properties of material |
| Scenario |
| Primary Scenario
|
Poor Value Perception, Poor Safety Awareness, Insufficient Invetigation on Newly Imported Gas, Insufficient Analysis or Research, Insufficient Prior Research, Information from Abroad/Trader, Usage, Transport/Storage, Failure, Large-Scale Damage, Rapture/Explosion, Secondary Damage, External Damage, Damage of Houses Near-by, Bodily Harm, Injury, 2 person severy injured
|
|
| Sources |
High Pressure Gas Safety Inst. of Japan. Investigation report on the special material gas container accident (1985)
Fire prevention explosion-proof control technology 9. Semiconductor relation. p.54.
|
| Number of Injuries |
2 |
| Physical Damage |
The cylinder was broken into four pieces, which were scattered over 110-200 m. The driver's seat, windows and the top of a two-ton truck were severely damaged. Its seats blew off about 45 m. The wooden wall and glasses of an adjacent warehouse were also severely damaged. Windows were damaged at three companies, including the Kawasaki factory which is 20 m away. There were cracks in the window of a nursery located 80 m away. |
| Multimedia Files |
Fig2.Chemical formula
|
| Notes |
Usual operation |
| Field |
Chemicals and Plants
|
| Author |
WAKAKURA, Masahide (Kanagawa Industrial Technology Research Institute)
TAMURA, Masamitsu (Center for Risk Management and Safety Sciences, Yokohama National University)
|
