Hydrogen: Facility Siting and Risk Analysis
Previously, we have discussed the importance of managing hydrogen safety hazards through Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and understanding damage mechanisms on materials and equipment that
are exposed to hydrogen. This paper will cover another aspect of hydrogen safety, from the perspective of consequence modeling and risk management.
Hydrogen electrolyzer facilities and liquefaction infrastructure pose unique safety challenges compared to traditional gasoline production. This does not mean that hydrogen as fuel is “riskier” than other fuels, but rather that a focus on safe handling and operation is key to developing this infrastructure safely and successfully. Facility Siting Studies (FSSs) and Quantitative Risk Assessments (QRAs) are powerful tools used to quantitatively assess consequences and risks from credible loss of containment scenarios resulting in explosion, fire, or toxic events, to onsite personnel and/or offsite population. Such assessments are used to objectively evaluate the hazards present within hydrogen facilities and to provide guidance and prioritization methods for mitigation measures that will be most effective in reducing onsite and offsite consequences and risks to tolerable levels.