Recently, a compressed gas cylinder exploded in a state university campus laboratory. The explosion was attributed to dangerous alterations that had been made to the cylinder. At approximately 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2006, an explosion occurred in a state university chemistry building laboratory, causing substantial building damage. The explosion resulted from a rupture in a liquid nitrogen (Dewar) cylinder. The cylinder was originally constructed and tested in December 1980. The examination revealed that the cylinder’s pressure release valve and rupture disc had been replaced by two brass plugs. Here is the report:
Nitrogen Cylinder Failure Incident (TX FM Report)
