H2 Prescence in a Column

[alhameli]

We are having a 24m by 2.6"m structural column where we would like to have some refurbishment activities (including cutting/welding etc...) on the column, however we have found a presence of hydrocarbons (H2 and H2S) and we are not certain of the concentrations.

We would like to displace/remove the hydrogen, using Nitrogen is not possible due to the volume required and with only four 10mm holes drilled is not feasible. Adding water from the top might introduce static electricity which might lead to a reaction with hydrogen. Are there any other possibilities to inert the column other than N2 or filling with water?

 

[shvet]

Displacing a hazardous gas with an inert foam, often called nitrogen foam inerting.