Delayed ignition is a significant hazard for hydrogen releases, either intended or unintended. The primary concern is the overpressure and energy release created from a vapor cloud which could contain a significant quantity of hydrogen. The H2Tools Incidents database contains a number of examples of delayed ignition. 

Absolutely. Vent systems will experience a variety of transient conditions of pressure, temperature, and thrust load, so stress analysis to anticipate the strength and flexibility needed are important for safe design. These issues are often overlooked and only become an issue when they are called upon to operate in emergencies. 

It is a best practice to include the vent system in…

There are many potential sources of delayed ignition. Hydrogen is easily ignited, and the larger the cloud, the more likely it is for it to find an ignition source. The cloud itself may serve as an ignition source as the force of the gas release may cause dust or other contaminants to mix in the air creating a static charge which ignites the hydrogen. Similarly, the force of the release can…

The answer is dependent upon the nature of the system and a hazard assessment which evaluates a balance of risk. 

Keeping the hydrogen in the vessel is better so the hydrogen release does not compound the original hazard. Large flowrates from vessels can create significant risk of vapor cloud explosion, jet explosion, or radiation exposure. Vent systems can also fail from poor…

Outside storage is generally considered safer and is required for large amounts of gas. Stationary storage should be located outside at a safe distance from structures and ventilation intakes, and protected from vehicle impact. 

Hydrogen storage separation distance requirements are typically based on the quantity and pressure of the hydrogen or the piping diameter, depending on the…

Sprinkler systems and other fire suppression means are prescribed per building and fire codes to limit fire spread to other materials. In the case of a hydrogen leak and fire, it is best practice to isolate the hydrogen source, and let any residual hydrogen gas burn out. Even if the initial fire is extinguished, additional leaking hydrogen may accumulate and ignite with the potential for an…

If the concentration of hydrogen is less than the Lower Flammability Limit (LFL) of 4% in an inert gas, it is unlikely that a leak of this gas mix will form a flammable mixture as it dilutes into air. For example, industry uses ‘forming gas’, a mixture of 4 to 5% H2 in nitrogen, as an oxide reducing agent in materials processing furnaces and soldering operations. This mixture can also be used…

The key concern with any hydrogen release is the risk of creating a flammable mixture. There should be no environmental issues if you properly vent hydrogen to a safe area where it is diluted in air below the flammability limit before contacting an ignition source. Very small quantities of hydrogen are frequently releasing into a fume hood. Releases have to be small enough so that the vent air…

Using tools inside a fume hood that may have a flammable gas mixture should be prohibited. A properly operating hood of the right capacity should keep the mixture of hydrogen in air inside the hood below the Lower Flammability Limit (LFL) of hydrogen further reducing any risk. 

If the use of tools is necessary, the source of hydrogen should be isolated before the work begins even if…

Frequency and severity off consequences are situational and subject to the safety review team’s best judgement. One measure of severity is an estimate of the energy released if ignited. Assuming the worst-case mix to be stoichiometric, the energy content of a 500 mL of hydrogen in air is about 0.2 Wh (700 Joules), comparable to the energy release of a wooden, blue-tipped matchstick (~1kJ or 1…