INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING
Comparing The Operational and Transport Risks of Hydrogen and Oil and Gas
Assessing the risks associated with energy sources is crucial for understanding the potential hazards and vulnerabilities within the industry. According to Draeger, in 2022, 51% of those in the renewables sector are concerned or very concerned about a major disaster. When comparing hydrogen energy and oil and gas, it is essential to consider the varying risks involved, specifically in the operation, storage and transport.
Navigating the Inherent Risks and Safety Protocols
Harnessing energy from oil and natural gas involves multifaceted procedures of removal, processing, storage, transportation and burning. These intricate operations have inborn hazards like combustion, detonations, and gas escapes. Incidents at fossil fuel facilities can impose grave repercussions on workers, infrastructure, and the surroundings. Oil and gas necessitate expansive distribution networks, bearing risks of spills, leaks, and mishaps while in transit. Such occurrences have transpired over the entire history of oil and gas extraction. Employing risk appraisal protocols and mitigation tactics has aided in diminishing these dangers over time. However, inherent risks remain in extracting and transporting these carbon-intensive fuels.
Balancing the Benefits and Combustion Risks
Hydrogen is about 57 times lighter than gasoline vapour and 14 times lighter than air. This means that if it is released in an open environment, it will typically rise and disperse rapidly, being a safety advantage in an outside environment. However, the hydrogen molecule is tiny, low viscosity, and therefore prone to leakage. In a confined space, leaking hydrogen can accumulate and reach a flammable concentration. Hydrogen's flammability range (between 4% and 75% in air), under the optimal combustion condition (a 29% hydrogen-to-air volume ratio), the energy required to initiate hydrogen combustion is much lower than that required for other standard fuels (e.g., a small spark will ignite it). However, at low concentrations of hydrogen in air, the energy required to initiate combustion is similar to that of other fuels.
The auto-ignition temperature of a substance is the lowest temperature at which it will spontaneously ignite without the presence of a flame or spark. The auto-ignition temperatures of hydrogen and natural gas are very similar. Both have auto-ignition temperatures over 500°C, much higher than the auto-ignition temperature of gasoline vapour, reducing the risk of autoignition compared to that of gasoline vapour.
Tackling Challenges with Innovative Solutions and Safety Protocols
The characteristics of Hydrogen explained above to make its production and storage require careful handling and safety measures, particularly during the production, compression, and transportation stages. However, advancements in hydrogen safety protocols, materials, and infrastructure are continually addressing these risks, and the experience from the oil and gas industry has been particularly helpful in quickly advancing these areas for risk reduction.
Storing enough hydrogen fuel poses difficulties because of its low density. Compressing the gas to high pressures allows more hydrogen to be stored in a container. But moving hydrogen from place to place brings other complications. Its low energy content by volume makes transportation inefficient without first densifying the gas. Special methods like compression and liquefaction ready hydrogen for transport in high-pressure tanks or pipelines. Safety precautions are necessary during this densification process and transport. Ongoing research aims to improve hydrogen storage and transportation methods, increasing efficiency and safety. New tank designs and pipeline materials could reduce the challenges involved in transporting this potentially carbon-free fuel.
Renewable energy sources generally have advantages over oil and gas when considering operational and transport risks, while hydrogen introduces its own unique considerations. Although posing specific safety challenges, Hydrogen is continuously advancing in terms of safety protocols and infrastructure. Understanding and addressing the risks is essential for ensuring the safe and sustainable deployment of different energy sources.
The oil and gas industry offers valuable learnings for the hydrogen industry in terms of operational risks. Lessons include the need for robust safety protocols, rigorous equipment inspections, comprehensive training programs, strict compliance with industry regulations, regular maintenance, and effective emergency response plans to mitigate the risks associated with flammable gases.
Silvia Chamosa
EPConsult Energies | INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING
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