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An explosion caused by microbial hydrogen formation

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Summary

A gas phase explosion in a storage tower with semichemical pulp at a paper mill has possibly been caused by combustion of a mixture of hydrogen and air. The hydrogen was formed by microorganisms in the pulp. Ignition may be due to electric sparks in connection with an electric field in the mist above the pulp.

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Eidsaa, G., Johnsen, K. & Tangen, R. An explosion caused by microbial hydrogen formation. Biotechnol Lett 1, 31–34 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01395787

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01395787

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