Managing Hydrogen Risks with the Right Equipment

Hydrogen is increasingly recognised as a cutting-edge energy source for the near future, attracting significant attention from both investors and businesses. As a result, it’s a topic that’s rarely far from the headlines. One important consequence of this growing focus is the rising awareness of the risks associated with working around hydrogen.

Understanding hydrogen’s clean-burning benefits and the specific risks it presents, as well as the best strategies for mitigating those risks, is not much different from working with other fuel sources. Like any potential hazard, taking the time to select the right equipment ensures a faster, more efficient, and ultimately safer project.

We dive deeper into risk mitigation strategies and highlight how choosing the right equipment is crucial to keeping your project both safe and successful.

Types of Hydrogen

There are three types of hydrogen, as defined by the specialists at TNO, a European energy research, innovation, and collaboration organisation:

Grey hydrogen: “Almost all of the hydrogen currently produced worldwide is so-called ‘grey hydrogen’. Production currently takes place via Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). Here high pressure steam (H2O) reacts with natural gas (CH4) resulting in hydrogen (H2) and the greenhouse gas CO2.”
Blue hydrogen: “The term ‘blue hydrogen’ or ‘low carbon hydrogen’ is used when the CO2 released in the process of grey hydrogen production is largely (80-90%) captured and stored.”
Green hydrogen: “Green hydrogen, also known as ‘renewable hydrogen’, is hydrogen that is produced with sustainable energy. The best known is electrolysis, in which water (H2O) is split into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) via green electricity.”

While research into hydrogen as a viable energy source continues to progress, the pressure from competing fuel sources remains a constant factor.

Hydrogen Risks

As previously outlined, hydrogen, like any fuel source, presents some distinct risks that must be carefully managed.

Some of the key hazards to be aware of include:

Flammability: Hydrogen is flammable across a wide range of concentrations in air.
Flame Spread: It has a high temperature and heat release rate when burning, which can cause rapid flame spread.
Displacement: In poorly ventilated areas, hydrogen can displace oxygen, creating the risk of asphyxiation.

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been conducting research into hydrogen in the workplace and even offers a Fundamentals of Hydrogen course to help industries plan for this shift.

Hydrogen Risk Mitigation

Effective planning, increasing awareness among colleagues, steering clear of equipment that could ignite, and guaranteeing clean, safe air in workspaces are crucial for ensuring safer conditions when handling hydrogen.

Effective Planning

Understanding and managing hazards in the early stages of a project is key. Awareness-raising initiatives, such as the Fundamentals of Hydrogen course, help build a company-wide understanding of hydrogen and its associated risks.

Alongside essential portable equipment for heat, light, air, and power that ensures safety in hazardous environments, it’s important not to overlook smaller portable tools. For instance, SA Equip’s SA LUMIN EX LED Rechargeable Floodlight. Neglecting to consider these products can lead to delays or the need for last-minute orders.

Safe equipment

ATEX equipment should be used because it is specifically designed and rigorously tested to be an ignition risk-free choice, making it ideal for hazardous environments like oil and gas areas.

Considering equipment ROI is crucial, especially when budgets are tighter than ever. Making the right choices can become a valuable asset across multiple projects. For example, instead of relying on a costly hired generator, consider whether an SA POWERNET EX 3.8KVA Transformer could save on operator time, transport, permit costs, and more.

Safer Air

Clean air for working doesn’t just mean introducing fresh air; it also means ensuring that hydrogen does not displace oxygen in the environment.

The SA Equip SA CYCLONE range of portable ventilation equipment can help with this. Our range includes a heavy-duty Air Mover, couplers, adaptors, anti-static ducting, and a high-performance Filtration Unit.

Hydrogen Project Equipment

SA Equip provides a consultation service to help you select the right equipment for hydrogen projects. Our in-house product development team can also design bespoke solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Since the 1920s, we have been delivering pioneering service and expertise to the most demanding shipping and oil industry environments. We serve global clients across aerospace, shipping, defense, utilities, pharmaceuticals, distilling, and power stations. For more information on our products, please get in touch with our team today.