An explosion caused by mixing incompatible liquids

Abstract

Two workers of a waste handling contractor lost their lives as a result of the explosion of a vacuum truck where they had inadvertently mixed sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The consequences of the explosion were simulated and documented. Root causes and contributing factors were identified and, in particular, failure of the management systems are underlined: (1) inadequate procedures, (2) poor training, and (3) poor management controls. Improved procedures, training, and management controls will prevent accidents of this type. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2005

Public Perception of Physical Risks: Effect of the Experience of Repeated Explosion Accidents at a Chemical Plant

“…Industrial accidents involving hazardous materials can result from explosions, fires, chemical spills and leaks, leading to human injury and environmental damage. Industrial accidents may cause both casualties and economic loss; thus, accidental explosions and fires at a chemical plant pose a social prob-lem in many countries [2]- [5]. Predictably, any industrial plant dealing with hazardous materials poses a physical risk.…”

Handling Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidations on a Large Scale: Synthesis of 5-Bromo-2-nitropyridine

“…Nevertheless, hydrogen peroxide must be handled with care as its highly exothermic decomposition is associated with large amounts of gas and steam generation with consequent overpressurization. Moreover, peroxide-based oxidants are known to interact with metal ion contaminants, which catalyze their decomposition as witnessed by several accidents reported in the literature . In the case of oxidation of (hetero)­aromatic amine to the corresponding (hetero)­aromatic nitro derivative, an additional problem is often caused by the generation of unstable functional groups which might be present in the reaction mixtures (e.g., partially oxidized N-containing compounds such as N-oxide, diazo, and the like).…”