Understanding hydrogen safety challenges and mitigation strategies – BakerRisk white paper series

Low carbon does not mean low risk

With emerging and re- technologies for low carbon energy resources such as hydrogen and hydrogen carriers taking precedence in energy and governmental focus, considerations for safe operations and handling are of great importance globally in order to protect some of our most valuable resources such as life, assets, the environment, and public safety, to name a few.

BakerRisk syngas blast testing at the Box Canyon Test Facility.
BakerRisk containerized syngas test at the Box Canyon Test Facility.

What risks does the hydrogen economy face?

BakerRisk is pleased to provide industry with a new white paper series that focuses on hydrogen safety. The intent of this series is to bring awareness to inherent risks associated with hydrogen production, handling, storage, and end use, which have gained momentum due to low carbon and net zero goals around the world, and to provide suggestions for safer processes and risk mitigation. BakerRisk’s hydrogen safety white paper series will discuss the following:

BakerRisk Principal Blast Effects Engineer, Darren Malik

Darren Malik, BakerRisk General Manager of Testing and Principal Engineer specializing in Blast Effects.

Paper #1

“Hydrogen: The Universe’s Original Energy Vector"

Authored by Darren Malik, Principal Blast Effects Engineer

This paper will review the historic role of hydrogen as an energy vector, discuss some of the emerging/re-emerging technologies, and highlight the hazards associated with hydrogen and other hydrogen carriers so they can be proactively addressed.

Murtaza Gandhi, BakerRisk Manager and Principal Engineer, specializing in Qualitative Risk and Sustainability.

Murtaza Gandhi, BakerRisk Manager and Principal Engineer, specializing in Qualitative Risk and Sustainability.

Paper #2

“Hydrogen: Analyzing Its Hazards”

Authored by Murtaza Gandhi, Principal Process Safety Engineer

This paper discusses best practices and general guidance for performing a PHA on hydrogen processing facilities to accurately assess all the risks and consequences associated with hydrogen.

Baker-Risk-Headshots_2023_Sean-Berg

Sean Berg, BakerRisk Supervisor of Materials Lab and Senior 2 Engineer specializing in Materials Engineering.

Paper #3

“Hydrogen: Damage Mechanisms on Hydrogen Production Assets & Equipment”

Authored by Sean Berg, Senior Materials Engineer

This paper focuses on the material of hydrogen vessels and pipelines, using both pure hydrogen and hydrogen blended in other gas, and discusses the hazards hydrogen pose on the material, such as High Temperature Hydrogen Attack and Hydrogen Embrittlement.

Baker-Risk-Headshots_2023_Fika-Edelia

Erfika Edelia, BakerRisk Project 1 Consultant specializing in Process Safety.

Headshot of Michael Moosemiller.

Michael Moosemiller, BakerRisk Senior Principal Consultant specializing in Process Safety.

Headshot of Joshua Bruce-Black.

Joshua Bruce-Black, BakerRisk QRA Manager and Principal Consultant specializing in Process Safety.

Paper #4

“Hydrogen: Facility Siting and Risk Analysis”

Authored by Erfika Edelia, Michael Moosemiller, and Joshua Bruce-Black, Process Safety Consultants

This paper discusses best practices and general guidance for performing facility siting studies of hydrogen facilities and includes an example case study. Both the liquid and gas form of hydrogen are considered.

Baker-Risk-Headshots_2023_Matt-Edel

Matthew Edel, BakerRisk BD Manager for Protective Structures and Senior Principal Engineer specializing in Structural Engineering.

Paper #5

“High-Pressure Hydrogen Hazards”

Authored by Matthew Edel, Senior Principal Engineer

This paper focuses on the high-pressure hazards of hydrogen in storage or inside an enclosure, such as fitting failures, vessel failure, and turbulent jet release. Consequences of hazards and mitigation options are discussed.

BakerRisk Principal Blast Effects Engineer, Darren Malik

Darren Malik, BakerRisk General Manager of Testing and Principal Engineer specializing in Blast Effects.

Paper #6

“Hydrogen: Past and Future Test Programs”

Authored by Darren Malik, Principal Blast Effects Engineer

This paper will provide insights on results of field tests BakerRisk has performed that demonstrate hydrogen hazards, such as dispersion and explosion tests. Gas cloud ignition probability will also be discussed.

Mikaela Dressendorfer

Mikaela Dressendorfer, Project II Consultant

Paper #7

“Hydrogen Leading into the Future – An Industry Outlook”

Authored by Mikaela Dressendorfer, Project II Consultant

This paper will discuss the industry outlook on hydrogen going forward, which includes different risk receptors for end users in areas such as fuel stations, data centers using hydrogen fuel, warehouses using hydrogen fuel cells, large hydrogen fueled power plants, transportation, and other areas.

Learn more about hydrogen risks and mitigation considerations with our article, “Is Hydrogen or Ammonia the Solution as an Energy Carrier?“.

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