Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

[techcote]

I saw one on the news in San Diego about 2 weeks about. It looked like a not so old van that said Western Yachts on the side (i think). Any one here of this? He was driving and heard it blow so he jumped out and the van ran into an SUV while it was unoccupied.

Any folks with info on this CNG explosion? http://www.10news.com/news/20359516/detail.html

[winbert]

Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

Hmmm, I wonder if this was a CNG-powered van, or if it was simply "hauling natural gas tanks" as stated in the article?

winbert

[cnghal]

Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

I'm guessing from info so far, that the E-series cargo van (which comes from the factory with only 3 tanks underneath) had an extra storage, possibly transfer tank (for fueling yaught stove tanks) installed (probably improperly and not shielded) in the cargo compartment. The fact that the blast didn't kill, or at least knock unconsious the driver, is a miracle.
He won't be hearing any questions or criticisms for a long while, if ever.

[larrycng]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

That might be a good assessment Hal. If that is the case, then DOT Has mat driver's license endorsement is required in addition to the required signage.

Maybe hearing problem would be a plus (from one who is up for hearing aids)

Larrycng

[CNG Utah]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

This is the first I've heard of this accident. If anyone else has any more info on it, please post it. I googled the story and just found a bunch of news stories nearly identical to this one.

[larrycng]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

Has anyone checked with NGVA??

Larrycng

[John Mitton]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

NGVAmerica Newsletter 8/17/2009

Van Heavily Damaged by Cylinder Failure in San Diego
On August 11, a 1996 Dodge Ram B250 Van was heavily damaged by a cylinder failure. The private owner/operator of the van had just completed filling the van a few minutes prior to driving away from the station in the Bay Harbor area. He had driven approximately one mile before he heard a loud explosion in the rear of the van and immediately jumped from the still moving van. He was not injured. The van continued along and collided with another vehicle, no injuries were reported by the occupants of that vehicle, either. The only damage was to the two vehicles and no fire resulted. The incident was attended to by the Harbor Police and other local first responders. The vehicle had 4-3000 psi cylinders that were valid until June of 2010. Only one of the cylinders is known to have failed. The Clean Vehicle Education Foundation has secured the van and is working in cooperation with local authorities and the owner to conduct an investigation into the cause.

[larrycng]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

Thanks John, have a good one

Larrycng

[cnghal]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

Thanks John,
I thought the van in the photo looked more like a Dodge, but with a front-end impact and a low res picture it was hard to tell.
A '96 with 3,000 psi tanks? A '96 with tanks expiring in 2010?
Those numbers just aren't adding up.
I'm sure it was one of the unshielded Comdynes in the rear twin pack that went (just like Super Shuttle).
I'm glad I'm retanking my '95 B3500 now, while I'm doing some engine work. My tanks passed inspection on removal, but I was always leary of having unshielded tanks under a vehicle.

[Tax Counsel]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

"A '96 with 3,000 psi tanks? A '96 with tanks expiring in 2010?
Those numbers just aren't adding up"

I'm confused... my '97 CNG dedicated Crown Vic had factory-installed 3,000 psi tanks that expired in 2010--based on a 15-year life, I assume the tanks were built in 1995.

Am I missing something, or was CNGHal just being sarcastic?

TC

[CraziFuzzy]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

Yeah, those numbers seem to make sense to me as well. Agree, that it was probably the result of some under-car impact of some sort on unprotected cylinders. Just enforces the newer requirements... Still, we'll ahve to wait for CVEF to publish what they find out.

[Lakewood90712]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

"A '96 with 3,000 psi tanks? A '96 with tanks expiring in 2010?
Those numbers just aren't adding up"

I'm confused... my '97 CNG dedicated Crown Vic had factory-installed 3,000 psi tanks that expired in 2010--based on a 15-year life, I assume the tanks were built in 1995.

Am I missing something, or was CNGHal just being sarcastic?

TC

OEM Dodge used 3600 psi back then, Ford was using 3000 until 01'-02'.

[larrycng]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

Sometime the tanks are sitting in the warehouse for a period of time before they are installed into a vehicle. Eventhough the tanks are not used their life clock is running. A tank's life span starts from the month of manufacturer NOT when it is put into service.

A few years ago, the city of Phoenix had a load of PST's in a warehouse that were 7 years old; they had about 8 years of life remaining. That's way things are in CNG

Larrycng

[techcote]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

Boy that makes me nervous having just bought a 2002 dodge. Now it scares me to put my kids in it. I relize it's more updated but still shakes me up. I don't have to do CNG, just trying to help make some changes in our world.

[techcote]

Re: Tank explosion in San Diego 8/11/09

Can you accidently fill 3000 PSI with 3600? I doubt it but I did fill up in Riverside with the 3000 PSI side on my 3600 PSI so I wonder if it works in reverse?