Hsinchu Science Park Lixing 4th Road had an unknown gas leakage incident this morning (28th). White smoke sprang out from the scene. The police and firefighters rushed to the scene immediately following receiving the notification, and notified the North District Environmental Accident Professional Technical Team, which was confirmed to be liquefied. Nitrogen leaked, on-site firefighters exhausted smoke to restore traffic, and asked the manufacturer to shut down and stop work for repairs.
The Fire Department arrived at the scene at 7:24 this morning and immediately notified the Science and Technology Management Bureau. The Science and Technology Management Bureau also sent personnel to the scene to investigate and determine that it was moisture caused by the process of transporting liquid nitrogen. Since the temperature of liquid nitrogen is -196 °C, in order to prevent frostbite and suffocation of passers-by, the manufacturer has been asked to shut down and stop work for repairs, and then use smoke exhaust trucks, smoke exhaust machines and other equipment to assist in ventilation and smoke exhaust. At present, following the smoke is exhausted, the gas dissipates at the two intersections of Lixing Road and Lixing 4th Road, Lixing Road and Lixing 5th Road.
The scene was a vast expanse of whiteness. (Photo/Hsinchu Fire Department)
The leaked gas at the scene was not “nitrogen”, but “water vapor” of nitrogen. (Photo/Hsinchu Fire Department)
The Fire Department mentioned that following the accident is ruled out, it will conduct an investigation together with the Science and Technology Management Bureau and the manufacturer to clarify why a large amount of steam leaked out. In this regard, the police in the jurisdiction stated that there was no violation of the law and no fines would be imposed. In addition, the Environmental Protection Bureau also came to the scene to check and confirmed that the leakage of nitrogen would not cause harm to the environment, so no fines would be imposed.
The manufacturer responded that the leaked gas at the scene was not “nitrogen”, but “water vapor” of nitrogen, and the accumulation was obvious due to the lack of wind today. As for why a large amount of gas leaked out, the manufacturer said that there were 4 groups of nitrogen generators in the factory 2 groups provide gas nitrogen for TSMC and other Zhuke factories, and the other 2 groups supply liquid nitrogen in tank trucks. However, one of Zhuke’s gas nitrogen generators is repaired every year and the other fails temporarily, so the staff uses the tank system The nitrogen machine converts liquid nitrogen into gaseous nitrogen to continue to supply the demand of Zhuke Factory. However, during the conversion process, the liquid nitrogen exceeds the load capacity. Today’s smog will be produced.
