Date: September 14, 2023
Location: Shanghai (China)
Address: #30, No.525 Yuanjiang Road, Minhang District, 201109
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Metal Dust
Industry: 3D Printing
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Hanbang Lianhang Laser Technology Co., Ltd
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Two Dead, Two Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Hanbang Lianhang Laser Technology Co., Ltd is a laser powder bed fusion technology developer and additive machine manufacturer. It was founded in 2007 and is located in Guangdong and Shanghai, China with certification by SGS-CE, ISO9001, AS9100D and more than 200 patented technologies. It has over 30 invention patents serving aerospace, dental, orthopedics, mold and die, automotive, oil and gas, education & research etc.
Incident Description:
On September 19, 2023, YCWB reported an explosion at a 3D printing company in Shanghai, China.
At 11:32 a.m., while workers were in the process of swapping the filter of the cartridge dust collector, the initial deflagration occurred. The workers quickly managed to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing any further spread. At 2:02 p.m., an operator decided to pour water on the dust collector’s filter element. This action triggered the second deflagration, which resulted in two fatalities and seriously injured two individuals, with burn injuries covering 90% and 70% of their bodies respectively.
The preliminary investigation suggests that the operator sprayed tap water on the dust collector’s filter element around 11:30 a.m., initiating an exothermic reaction upon contact with the aluminum alloy dust. This generated hydrogen. Given the confined space and high concentration of hydrogen, deflagration might have been triggered by static electricity or a mechanical spark. It did not lead to a bigger explosion due to a valve isolation.
However, at 2:02 pm, upon relocating the dust collector outdoors, workers believed they sensed high-temperature smoke emanating from the filter. When water was poured directly onto the filter element, a reaction ensued due to the high temperature, leading to spontaneous combustion and dust emission. This rapid reaction caused the ensuing deflagration, which unfortunately harmed nearby workers.
The investigation is ongoing.
Sources:
YCWB
