While HSP members have limited experience with MFCs in experimental setups, the Panel does not consider them to be reliable to provide a positive flow shutoff. For safety, a shutoff valve in series is recommended. Projects will also need to consider hazardous electrical rating and location when flowing H2. Regarding Coriolis mass flow measuring devices, Coriolis flow meters measure mass rate…
It is difficult to provide trustworthy answers to these questions without understanding the design and configuration of the specific installation. It may be best to consult with a pressure systems expert to evaluate the specific installation and uses. The gas provider may also be a good resource for specifics on gas equipment use. Other beneficial resources include the…
Regarding the concept of introducing hydrogen gas into natural gas pipelines, this is indeed a hot topic and there are recent quantitative treatments of fatigue crack growth driven by pressure cycling and potentially accelerated by hydrogen. Some analysis has shown that it can be acceptable to operate natural gas pipelines with a hydrogen blend. However, this is highly dependent…
Hydrogen cylinders contain pure hydrogen unless they are specifically manufactured for and marked as a mixture. The purity grade is usually between 99.5% and 99.9999%. The balance is typically inert gases (such as nitrogen) with just ppm levels of other contaminants, but this can vary depending upon the production source. When emptied, the residual is still the same purity of hydrogen, just at…
It is possible to store large quantities of gaseous hydrogen above ground, but it will likely require a large footprint due to its relatively low density even at high pressure. Also, if the quantity equals or exceeds 10,000 lb., the facility will need to comply with OSHA 1910.119 process safety management requirements if located in the US. Similar regulations exist in Europe and Asia that…
This production rate of hydrogen of about 96 kg/h is quite significant, which depending upon the application might require a significant amount of storage. There will be a need to determine how many kg the project wants to store from this production rate in order to determine how much hydrogen ground storage is needed. Since the project is in Europe, look for pressure vessel manufacturers that…
There are no specific code resources that specifically cover hydrogen liquefaction plants, but they must be built to the general building, electrical, machinery, piping, and mechanical codes for process plants. Codes such as NFPA 2, Hydrogen Technologies Code, for installation and emergency response may also be used for reference. It may also be beneficial to break down the requirements into…
The regulations for electrical classification in Europe and a US jurisdiction such as California are significantly different and should not be assumed to be the same. Consultation with Authorities Having Jurisdiction or a Third- Party expert regarding the application of the US National Electric Code is advised. Some additional important points:
The HSP has concerns with the use of…
The British Standards Institute (BSI) has published BS ISO 22734:2019, a British nationalized version of the packaged water electrolyzer safety certification standard. This standard can be used by a Notified Body (BSI is one of many operating in the UK and in Europe) to certify electrolyzer safety to established norms for this equipment. This standard addresses safety of containerized hydrogen…
The vent system for the excess hydrogen should be vented in accordance with NFPA 2 and CGA G-5.4 and G-5.5. The oxygen also must be vented safely and should be in accordance with NFPA and CGA G-4.4.
Please be extremely cautious with compressing hydrogen. NEC/NFPA 70 and its Articles 500/505 address electrical equipment in flammable atmospheres. Please also consider the…
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