Hydrogen is expected to play a big role in the transition toward a more sustainable energy system, with numerous projects already underway along the entire value chain from production through storage and distribution, to a wide variety of end-user applications.
Although the use of hydrogen in industry is not new, the energy transition is leading to many novel applications.
Hydrogen is being located and used in close proximity to the general public, whose lack of safety awareness and specialist training runs the risk of potential accidents occurring. This would result not only in the loss of public support but also the license to operate and possibly delay the introduction of new technologies.
If hydrogen is to fulfil its promise in the energy transition, safety is of paramount importance.
The importance of understanding risks associated with hydrogen
Every player in the hydrogen value chain needs to understand the hazards associated with the introduction of hydrogen, carefully evaluate the risks, and put in place sufficient mitigation measures to reduce these risks to tolerable levels.
This includes the hydrogen bulk storage areas.
The design and operation of hydrogen storage and handling facilities must consider the unique explosion characteristics that hydrogen possesses compared to other fuels such as natural gas.
Due to its greater reactivity and ignition sensitivity, the explosion overpressures generated in the case of an ignited release, have the potential to cause significant damage in the surrounding area of the facilities.
An ignited event involving hydrogen has a higher likelihood of undergoing a deflagration to detonation transition (DDT), which would result in very severe overpressures and potentially catastrophic damage to equipment and structures.
Potential effects of hydrogen explosions must be assessed from the early stages of a project and adequate prevention and mitigation measures evaluated as the project progresses.
Currently, there is only limited guidance and standards (e.g., COP CP33, NFPA 2) for the design of hydrogen storage facilities, and while certain separation distances to occupied buildings and equipment are provided, nothing is mentioned regarding layouts and recommended distances between banks of hydrogen tanks.
It is also thought that the outlined safety distances could be underpredicted in some circumstances.
Gexcon’s presentation on consequence analysis for hydrogen bulk storage areas at Gastech 2022
At this year’s Gastech Conference and Exhibition, Dr Karina Almeida Leñero and Pablo Giacopinelli will present a study of several explosion scenarios in a hydrogen storage facility, conducted using the CFD consequence modelling tool, FLACS.
In their presentation, Karina and Pablo will discuss the effect of different layouts, storage tank configurations and levels of confinement/congestion on the maximum overpressure, likelihood of DDT and the flame path. They will also talk about the discrepancies between currently available guidance and the results from this study being discussed.
Finally, They will present potential recommended mitigation measures to ensure that facilities storing large amounts of hydrogen can be designed safely.
Join us at the conference to listen to the presentation.
