Hydrogen Leak Sparks Fire at China Steel Plant in Taiwan, Causing Thick Smoke and Environmental Fines

An incident at China Steel's Xiaogang plant led to a fire and significant smoke emissions, resulting in regulatory action.

A fire broke out at the Xiaogang plant of China Steel Corporation in Taiwan on the morning of the 21st. The incident occurred in the coking plant when a malfunction in an exhaust fan during construction caused a hydrogen leak, which subsequently ignited. The plant emitted thick yellow and black smoke. Firefighting efforts have brought the blaze under control. The Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) conducted on-site monitoring and determined that the incident violated air pollution laws, leading to a fine of NT$100,000 to NT$5,000,000.

The fire was reported at 9:41 AM on the 21st. The fire department dispatched 11 vehicles and 27 personnel to the scene. The fire was controlled by 11:23 AM, and fortunately, there were no injuries or trapped individuals.

The Director of the Fire Department, Wang Zhi-ping, stated that the fire occurred in the fourth-stage coking plant, which primarily produces coke oven gas. The exhaust fan malfunction prevented the gas from being recycled, leading to the combustion and smoke. The plant was instructed to activate 16 exhaust stacks, and the situation is now stable. The China Steel fire brigade will continue to maintain vigilance.

The EPB reported that its AI cloud monitoring system detected yellow and black smoke in the Linhai Industrial Park. The incident at China Steel's W25 coal chemical process involved a hydrogen leak during exhaust fan construction (blind sealing), which caused the fire. The fire damaged the control line of the main exhaust fan for coke oven No. 3, leading to a shutdown. This resulted in crude coke oven gas being directly discharged from the top exhaust stacks, producing significant particulate matter and violating Article 32 of the Air Pollution Control Act. The EPB will impose a fine ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$5,000,000.

EPB air pollution teams conducted environmental monitoring at the site. Readings from a multi-gas detector showed hydrogen sulfide at 0.9 ppm, FID at 2.1 ppm, and total suspended particulates at 0.021 mg/m³. As of noon on the day of the incident, sensor readings across the city were between approximately 2-23 μg/m³, indicating that overall concentrations had returned to normal environmental levels. Coke oven emissions have significantly decreased, and the EPB continues to monitor the environment at the site.

Mayor Chen Chi-mai issued a reminder on Facebook, noting that the prevailing westerly winds were directing pollutants eastward. Air quality in the Xiaogang, Daliao, and Linyuan districts was expected to be affected. Residents were advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, minimize outdoor activities, and wear masks if going outside.