- Home
-
Resources
- Center for Hydrogen Safety
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Codes and Standards
- Learnings & Guidance
- Paper & References
- Web-based Toolkits
- Workforce Development
- Contact
- About H2Tools
This can be a complex problem and response to insulation failure should be considered in the emergency response guidelines and procedures.
First, a tank with an insulation failure may boil off at an elevated rate which applicable codes build into the relief device and vent system design.
Second, ice and oxygen enriched liquefied air can form where inadequately insulated surfaces…
Liquid hydrogen is much less likely to pool than liquified natural gas (LNG) due to its low heat of vaporization. Very large facilities are often equipped with methods to enhance vaporization, such as crushed stone under tanks, as well as diversion systems to allow liquid hydrogen to spill and boil off in a safe area. Care needs to be taken that diversion systems do not create a hazardous…
By definition, liquid hydrogen can BLEVE, but this is highly unlikely. Liquid hydrogen is stored in a double wall tank with vacuum insulation. This protects the primary pressure vessel from direct impingement and the very cold liquid provides self-cooling of the vessel walls. Tanks are also equipped with redundant pressure relief systems that are sized for fire exposure.
Flammable hydrogen releases can result in deflagration and transition to a detonation. Whether the
deflagration transitions to a detonation depends on numerous parameters such as cloud size, hydrogen
concentration, confinement, and congestion. Releases into confined or congested areas are more
susceptible to generating significant deflagration over-pressures and more likely to…
Underground storage tanks can be either installed in a vault or directly buried. Both offer additional
protection from external impact and fire, but each has unique challenges. Vaults must be properly
ventilated and designed to not create an explosion or asphyxiation risk. Direct burial vessels should not
have any underground leak points and must be protected from corrosion. Both…
There are numerous models that can be used to assess the consequence and risk of leaks and releases.
One such model is HYRAM which is publicly available from Sandia and the US DOE.
Emergency response procedures must be developed for each system based on its design. The
procedures generally include steps to clear personnel from the immediate area, isolate the hydrogen,
shut down the equipment, contact local responders, and protect surrounding equipment/structures until
the hazard is mitigated or the incident is over.
Composite cylinders can be manufactured to standards written by CSA, ASME, and ISO depending on the application and local requirements. Several ISO standards can serve as the basis for composite cylinder approvals within North America.
Nitrogen/helium blends are frequently used to leak test hydrogen systems.
No, this is not a common or preferred approach. Isolating the source of hydrogen is the best safety practice. Water systems could extinguish the flame but allow the gas to continue leaking and result in an explosion if reignited.
We are the leaders in the building industries and factories. We're word wide. We never give up on the challenges.