Facility Design and Construction

A good facility design is necessary to achieve a safe hydrogen system installation. Hydrogen properties (as discussed in the previous section, hydrogen properties and leak detection play a major role in facility design. The following elements should be considered to ensure safe operations:

  • Hydrogen Properties & Leak Detection A workspace can be configured to mitigate hazards by understanding and taking advantage of the characteristics of hydrogen.
  • Loss Prevention It may be possible to reduce or eliminate risk by "designing out" the hazard.
  • Ventilation Providing adequate ventilation will dilute hydrogen air mixtures, minimizing hazards caused by leaks.
  • Electrical Providing the correct electrical equipment and instruments will eliminate some potential ignition sources.
  • Leak Detection Special techniques are required to reliably detect hydrogen leaks.
  • Flame Detection Special techniques are required to reliably detect hydrogen flames.
  • Storage and Use Selecting the right kind of storage and the proper location can go a long way towards reducing risk.
  • Venting Vent systems are necessary to move hydrogen purged from the system to a safe location.
  • Instruments and Controls Safety of the facility can be improved by using interlock systems working in unison with hydrogen and fire detectors.
  • Construction Good facility construction is necessary to achieve a safe hydrogen system installation.