Safety Distances on Static Hydrogen Strogae System

[RDPall]

Hi,

Could someone please refer me to applicable standards for safety distances on Hydrogen storage systems. I have been through the European Industrial Gases Assiciation (ref. IGC Doc 15/06/E) and it highlights some distances. However, we have earmarked an area on our site which is very close to a sub-station and the IGC document makes no direct reference to a safety distance in this regard. Have also been through the NFPA standards.

Thanks.

 

[gr2vessels]

RDPall,
In my work with hydrogen storage and transmission, it never came up the issue of protection of the hydrogen storage vessel from other structures except normal access clearances. However, we had to provide the blast calculations for the affected structures around the vessel. The sneaky hydrogen is contained within welded piping welded ends valves, in lieu of flanged connections. The necessary flanged connections are always wrapped around with a sheet metal cover, painted in temperature sensitive paint, to show the hydrogen leak which has ignited. Other than that I don't think additional "distance" is required, due to the low molecular weight, which disperses the hydrogen in atmosphere quickly, before it would accumulate to an LEL.
Cheers,
gr2vessels

 

[MJCronin]

RDP

Did you check the new NFPA 55 ?

(I guess that NFPA 50A was withdrawn and incorporated into NFPA 55)

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/ROP/50B-F2003-rop.PDF

There has been a lot of examination of hydrogen storage in the research activities on fuel cells.

http://www.codecheck.com/pdf/building/energy/hydrogen_cs_presentation.pdf

Have you reviewed this safetygram ???

http://www.airproducts.com/nr/rdonlyres/3c6d640e-93c5-4bd0-8f21-8f7344c66554/0/safetygram4.pdf

Or do you simply not know how to use GOOGLE......

-MJC

 

[RDPall]

Thanks, MJ Cronin,

I have reviewed this information and can assure you I do know how to use a search engine.
Unfortunately, of the literature found, none highlighted a safe distance for the Hydrogen Static Storage system from the substation. Granted that the IGC doucument states "1. Open flames and other ignition sources (incl. electrical) is 5 metres". Also, the IGC document states that the safety distances may be reduced if a fire wall is erected. It does not elude to a design of the fire wall or by what distance this would decrease the minimum safety distance.

Please forgive my ignorance as I am new to the industry!

 

[EdStainless]

Have you discussed this with your commercial risk coverage company? I see this as being under the heading risk mitigation, not regulations.

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