On January 8, 2007, a hydrogen explosion at the Muskingum River Power Plant’s 585-MW coal-fired supercritical Unit 5 caused one fatality, injuries to 10 other people, and significant damage to several buildings. The explosion occurred during a routine delivery of hydrogen when a hydrogen relief device failed, which allowed the contents of the hydrogen tank to escape and be ignited by an unknown source. This article covers the findings of the incident investigation and the actions the plant has taken to prevent a reoccurrence.
The explosion at Muskingum River Power Plant underscores the importance of implementing safe equipment design and construction as well as proper procedures for handling hydrogen in order to prevent the loss of life and property at power plants.
The plant, owned by Ohio Power Co., a subsidiary of American Electric Power Co. Inc. (AEP), is located on the west bank of the Muskingum River near Beverly, Ohio. The plant’s Unit 5 has been in service since 1968. Prior to this incident, the plant had a long history of strong safety compliance.
In March, POWER interviewed Kenny McCullough, director of safety and health in AEP’s generation division. He discussed the findings of the company’s investigation into the explosion and the actions the company has taken to ensure that hydrogen will be handled safely at the plant in the future (Figure 1).
1. A somber scene. A hydrogen delivery truck is surrounded by debris from the explosion at Muskingum River Power Plant’s Unit 5. During delivery, a hydrogen relief device failed, permitting the contents of the hydrogen tank in question to relieve and be ignited by an unknown source. Courtesy: American Electric Power
Background to the Explosion
Hydrogen is used at the Muskingum River plant to cool the unit generators, McCullough explained. He described the standard operating procedures for the delivery of hydrogen to Unit 5.
"After checking in with the plant security, the vendor’s driver had sole responsibility for the task of unloading the hydrogen," he said. "The vendor delivered hydrogen approximately once or twice a week and had a blanket contract for hydrogen at the plant for many years." McCullough characterized the vendor as "a self-described ‘expert at designing, building and safely operating gaseous hydrogen plants,’ [that] provided its own procedures for unloading hydrogen."
Despite the routine use of hydrogen at the plant, plant personnel still had to use caution handling the substance because of its inherently hazardous properties (see sidebar). Hydrogen is the lightest element and is highly flammable.
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