HyTruck Breakfast Briefing Shares Discussion on Hydrogen Safety
The May HyTruck Breakfast Briefing involved discussions on hydrogen safety regulations and compliance with HRS and risk assessment for the planning and operation of HRS.
Oliver Bornholdt, Global Business Development & Safety Manager at Dräger presented the topics.
He started by introducing Dräger and its market focus It is split between medical and safety sectors, with the latter rapidly expanding. Bornholdt emphasised the critical role of hydrogen in industrial decarbonisation and heavy-duty truck mobility. He discussed how Dräger links its projects and production planning to concrete operational stages.
Hydrogen, Bornholdt explained, has unique properties that pose specific safety challenges. Its density is 14 times lower than air, making it a concern for indoor and outdoor applications. Its molecular size is the smallest, which makes containment challenging.
Hydrogen poses specific safety challenges
Hydrogen’s ignition energy is 15 times lower than methane. Hydrogen-air mixtures can ignite with meagre energy input. The flammability limit of hydrogen ranges from 4% to 75% by volume in air. The burning velocity is significantly higher than gasoline and methane.
Bornholdt shared statistics from the EIGA database, which recorded 208 hydrogen-related accidents since 1976, with 21 incidents in the last decade.
The primary causes of these incidents include:
- Valve malfunctions (20%)
- Leaking connections (over 15%).
Most incidents occur due to:
- Operational (over 25%),
- Procedural (over 20%),
- Design (over 20%),
- Planning errors (over 10%).
HRS planning and operation has to include risk assessment
From an insurance perspective, Bornholdt mentioned FM Global’s data sheets on property loss prevention. It includes dedicated chapters on hydrogen. He highlighted the importance of adhering to mandatory local and national codes and standards to ensure compliance. Key standards include ISO/TS 19880-1:2016 for gas detection systems and ISO/TC 197 for hydrogen technologies. Non-compliance can result in legal exposure or even facility shutdowns.
Fire safety and detection were also covered. The International Fire Code (IFC) was cited as a critical fire prevention and protection resource. The IFC establishes minimum requirements for fire safety and includes consequences and fines for non-compliance. Various ISO standards applicable to hydrogen detection and safety were discussed, including ISO 26142, which sets accuracy requirements for hydrogen detection systems.
Bornholdt stressed the importance of risk assessment in HRS planning and operation, particularly the selection and placement of sensors.
He described several types of sensors used in hydrogen detection:
- Ultrasonic detectors that use microphones to detect specific sounds,
- Catalytic bead sensors for controlled areas,
- Multi-IR flame detectors for detecting invisible hydrogen flames, especially in high-pressure areas of refuelling stations.
Bornholdt recommended a safety net incorporating multiple technologies to ensure comprehensive coverage.
The briefing underscored the critical nature of hydrogen safety and the necessity of adhering to stringent regulations and standards. Effective planning and risk assessment, supported by advanced sensor technologies and compliance with international safety codes, are essential to mitigate the risks associated with hydrogen fuel.
byline: Reinis Alksnājis
