INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING
Safeguarding the Growth of the Hydrogen Energy Industry
Hydrogen has played a pivotal role in the energy industry for over two centuries. Its journey began with the first internal combustion engines and progressed to a vital element in contemporary refining processes. Renewable hydrogen is a vital factor in the UK's thriving transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, working hand in hand with the extensive growth of wind power and other sustainable energy options, as highlighted in a recent RenewableUK report. Despite these promising advancements, a lingering question remains in the minds of many: is it possible to ensure the safety of hydrogen energy?
IEA (2023), Towards hydrogen definitions based on their emissions intensity, IEA, Paris Read the full report HERE, License: CC BY 4.0
Is it Safe to Handle Liquid Hydrogen?
By nature, all fuels pose some degree of danger. Ensuring the safe use of any fuel involves preventing situations where the three combustion factors—ignition source (spark or heat), oxidant (air), and fuel—are present. With a comprehensive understanding of fuel properties, we can design fuel systems with appropriate engineering controls and establish guidelines for safely handling and using fuel.
Specific properties of hydrogen necessitate additional engineering controls for its safe use. Specifically, hydrogen has a wide range of explosive concentrations in the air and a lower ignition energy than gasoline or natural gas, which ignites more easily. Moreover, some metals can become brittle when exposed to hydrogen, making the selection of suitable materials crucial for designing safe hydrogen systems.
Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. While natural gas and propane are also odourless, a sulfur-containing (mercaptan) odorant is added to these gases to detect leaks. Detecting hydrogen leaks is challenging due to its lack of odour. Additionally, hydrogen is a very light gas, and no known odorants can be added to hydrogen that would diffuse at the same rate. In other words, by the time a worker smells an odorant, hydrogen concentrations may have already exceeded its lower flammability limit.
Designing safety features in hydrogen systems and providing training in safe hydrogen handling practices is essential for ensuring hydrogen's safe use. Tests conducted on hydrogen systems, such as tank leak tests, garage leak simulations, and hydrogen tank drop tests, demonstrate that hydrogen can be produced, stored, and dispensed safely.
Safety is just one of the challenges in the transition to hydrogen-based energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) report, the three most pressing issues in the development of hydrogen are:
- Uncertainty and lack of clarity in regulatory frameworks and certification schemes: This hinders project developers from making firm investment decisions, creating bottlenecks in developing low-emission hydrogen projects.
- Decarbonising hydrogen production: To reduce carbon emissions in hydrogen production, it's essential to move away from traditional fossil fuel methods and adopt sustainable practices with lower emissions, like utilising carbon capture and storage solutions or harnessing renewable electricity.
- Developing international supply chains and aligning certification systems: Coordinating efforts to establish global supply chains can address the needs of countries with limited potential for low-emission hydrogen production. Aligning certification systems and regulatory frameworks can prevent market fragmentation and facilitate international hydrogen market growth.
By implementing robust engineering controls, choosing suitable materials, and providing thorough training in safe handling practices, the management and usage of liquid hydrogen can be conducted securely.
EPConsult Energies (EP) provides hydrogen conceptual studies, process and safety engineering for successful hydrogen production systems, scaled to optimise storage, logistics and economics, whether onshore, offshore or on energy islands.
The expansion of the hydrogen sector and its proven safety track record are set to bolster trust in hydrogen as a dependable and secure substitute for conventional fuels. Tackling the issues the International Energy Agency identified, including establishing clear regulations, making hydrogen production more environmentally friendly, and creating global supply networks, is vital for harnessing hydrogen's complete capacity in the worldwide shift to clean energy. Prioritising safety and surmounting these hurdles will lay the foundations for a sustainable and stable hydrogen-powered energy future.
Ashish Kelkar
EPConsult Energies | INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING
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