| Case Name |
Steam explosion caused due to water leakage at an electric furnace |
| Pictograph |
|
| Date |
June 6, 1992 |
| Place |
Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan |
| Location |
Ironworks |
| Overview |
Metal scraps were charged into the electric furnace and melted. The water frame mounted to the electric furnace wall was damaged, water leaked, and a steam explosion occurred. |
| Incident |
A steam explosion occurred during melting work of metal scraps in an electric furnace. A water frame was partially melted and a hole was generated. Then, water leaked out through the hole and caused a steam explosion. A hot blast and molten steel were scattered, and ignited the combustibles nearby. Two operators were seriously injured and four were slightly injured.
Water frame: a steel jacket for cooling water. |
| Processing |
Manufacture |
| Individual Process |
Other |
| Substance |
Iron, Fig2 |
| Type of Accident |
Explosion, Fire |
| Sequence |
Metal scraps were charged into the electric furnace, and then melting finished.
A container was set up for taking out the molten steel.
A water frame was partially melted. A hole was generated and water leaked through it.
Leaked water went between molten steel and slag, and it caused a steam explosion.
A hot blast occurred and the molten steel was scattered.
Combustibles nearby were ignited. |
| Cause |
Partial damage to the water frame. |
| Response |
The injured were taken to the hospital. The fire was extinguished by powder extinguishers. |
| Countermeasures |
The causes of water frame damage should be eliminated.
Water leakage should be detected early. |
| Knowledge Comment |
Molten metals are always at a high temperature. Design and management of the area equipped with water supply facilities should be considered based on this fact. |
| Background |
An automatic oxygen supply pipe came close to the water frame, and a steel plate of the water frame was shaved. It might be a design error or insufficient inspections. |
| Reason for Adding to DB |
Example of steam explosion caused due to a particular reason |
| Scenario |
| Primary Scenario
|
Poor Value Perception, Poor Safety Awareness, Inadequate Risk Recognition, Carelessness, Insufficient Understanding, Insufficient Recognition of Risk, Planning and Design, Poor Planning, Poor Design, Usage, Operation/Use, Operation of the Machine, Failure, Large-Scale Damage, Scarfing, Secondary Damage, External Damage, Explosion, Bodily Harm, Injury, 6person injured, Loss to Organization, Economic Loss, Direct Monetary Damage 10 million yen
|
|
| Sources |
Outline of significant accident in 1992, Safety year book, p.222
Fire and disaster Management Agency, Major Accident Case - Steam explosion in electric furnace, Accident cases of dangerous materials, pp.31,422-423
|
| Number of Injuries |
6 |
| Physical Damage |
An electric furnace was damaged. Buildings around the electric furnace and materials in the buildings were damaged and burned. Molten steel was damaged. |
| Financial Cost |
¥ 11 million. (Accident cases of dangerous materials) |
| Multimedia Files |
Fig2.Chemical formula
|
| Notes |
Steam explosion |
| Field |
Chemicals and Plants
|
| Author |
WADA, Yuji (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)
TAMURA, Masamitsu (Center for Risk Management and Safety Sciences, Yokohama National University)
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