Imagine fueling your car with a substance some people think is a ticking time bomb! That’s the reaction many have when they hear about hydrogen fuel. Let’s bust some myths about hydrogen safety. The truth is, hydrogen is not inherently more dangerous than the gasoline and natural gas we use every day. In this article we dismantle these fears and rethink hydrogen safety through factual information and real-world examples.
Much of the apprehension around hydrogen stems from past events like the Hindenburg disaster. While iconic, this incident is very far removed from modern hydrogen usage as advances in safety protocols and technology offer a very different narrative.
Like any combustible fuel hydrogen is flammable, sure. But so is the gasoline sitting inside your car or the natural gas being fed to your house and heating your stove. So what are the differences?
Hydrogen is non-toxic—colorless, odorless, and posing no health risks from inhalation, though suffocation can occur in large quantities due to oxygen displacement. Gasoline, on the other hand, contains carcinogens and is hazardous in both liquid and gas forms, posing serious health risks. Its combustion products are toxic, unlike hydrogen, which only produces water vapor, with occasional NOx emissions at high temperatures.
While hydrogen has a broader flammable range than gasoline, its lightness allows it to disperse quickly, reducing ignition risks, especially in open spaces. Additionally, hydrogen has a lower calorific value per volume compared to fossil fuels, leading to less heat output in case of ignition
The reality is that people didn’t die from burning in the Hindenburg. They died from falling or having things fall on them. Hydrogen immediately dissipated because hydrogen is lighter than air.
It is a flammable gas, and you do need to take necessary safety precautions. But if you do that, it’s incredibly safe. It’s already used every single day in mass quantities, at very high pressures around the world, in industrial processes and semiconductors and other industries, and you don’t wake up most mornings hearing about hydrogen explosions or fires.
– Sam Ruben, co-founder at U.S. hydrogen technology firm. Hydrogen: The Key to Unlocking Green Energy Microgrids panel at NYC Climate Week
Hydrogen vs. Gasoline in Vehicles: Safety Comparison
You must be wondering how hydrogen fares against gasoline when it powers vehicles. Let’s dive into actual examples and safety features installed to manage hydrogen.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo, come with robust safety features (this includes multiple redundant pressure relief devices and high-strength carbon fibre tanks.) Interestingly, these cars are undergoing rigorous safety testing globally and operate safely across several countries.
Let’s consider the explosion risks:
- Although hydrogen has a wider flammablity range (which is the minimum and maximum concentration in air necessary for combustion to occur) than other fuels, it also dissipates very quickly before this can occur
- Gasoline vapours, though less expansive, can form dense clouds creating longer exposure times and increased explosion risks.
Real-world incidents highlight this difference. For instance, hydrogen’s rapid dispersion has proven beneficial in minimising explosive outcomes. Gasoline-related incidents, by comparison, can result in prolonged fires and intense explosions due to the liquid’s denser nature. And let’s not forget how fires behave – hydrogen fires produce far less radiant heat than gasoline fires.
Safety Measures and Protocols: How We Keep Hydrogen in Check
Wondering how we store and transport hydrogen safely? Let’s break down the technologies and safety standards that make this possible.
Storage Safety
Hydrogen storage tanks are crafted from high-strength materials designed to withstand extreme pressures. Fail-safe mechanisms like pressure relief devices ensure that in any emergency, the tanks vent safely rather than rupture. In some countries, such as Sweden and the UK, blast walls are mandatory for additional safety.
BalticSeaH2 partner PowerUP Energy Technologies organised a hydrogen cylinder drop test with the Estonian military, simulating real-world scenarios involving the loading of hydrogen onto typical military vehicles for transportation, examining potential accidents and assessing the durability of the cylinders.
Refuelling Station Safety
Moving onto refuelling stations, these setups are built with multiple safety layers to protect users. Leak detection systems, automatic shutdown mechanisms, and robust fire suppression systems are standard features. However, recent incidents highlight the need for continuous safety vigilance. For example, in June, a hydrogen refuelling station in Germany experienced an explosion just days after it opened to the public.
Leak Detection and Prevention
Modern hydrogen systems use highly sensitive sensors to detect and mitigate leaks promptly. In case of detected leakage, automatic system shutdown and immediate forced ventilation are usually standard procedures
Real-World Applications and Lessons Learned
In history and modern use, hydrogen has offered valuable lessons shaping today’s safety standards. Let’s delve into some significant incidents and the knowledge we’ve gained.
Historical Lessons
The Hindenburg disaster, though tragic, had crucial takeaways. Since then, material science and engineering practices have advanced drastically. The Knallgas (hydrogen-oxygen) explosions also taught us important safety lessons. These lessons spurred improvements in materials, leak detection technologies, and overall system designs. These are not just technical enhancements—they are lifesavers.
Hydrogen in Industrial and Home Use
Running a diesel generator inside a building is something hard to imagine for most of us, but hydrogen generators are increasingly adopted also for inhouse use as the only “waste” is water vapour.
For instance, the Hydrogen House project in New Jersey and the Levenmouth Community Energy Project in Scotland show hydrogen’s potential in residential settings, complying with stringent safety protocols, including proper ventilation, regular maintenance, and thorough user training. They prove hydrogen’s safe adaptability in everyday life.
Let’s talk about industrial use, where safety protocols are equally stringent. In industrial settings, hydrogen is usually stored in highly regulated environments, ensuring that the safety measures in place mitigate any potential risks. Regular audits and maintenance keep these measures effective.
We’ve had hazardous high-voltage electricity and gas going into our houses for over a hundred years. If we go back to the days when those were first made available, people were very, very wary. People were scared to go near the electricity sockets in their houses. Or if you stop and think about the prospect of the average person every day going to a petrol or a diesel station and filling up an explosive liquid into their car. You wouldn’t do it. It has become part of everyday life; you know how to treat it respectfully. That will be the path for hydrogen as well.
– Paul Benson, CTO at Estonian hydrogen technology firm PowerUP Energy Technologies
Regulatory Standards and Public Education
Regulatory standards combined with public education are the bedrock of hydrogen’s safe adoption. Here’s an overview of how this works.
Different countries approach hydrogen safety with tailored regulations. For example, the U.S., Germany, and Japan have robust frameworks in place. Key regulatory bodies, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), set stringent standards that must be met.
Public education campaigns are essential for myth-busting. Examples include the Hydrogen Safety Panels in the U.S. and public exhibitions across Europe. These initiatives inform and reassure the public, making community engagement vital for successful hydrogen technology adoption.
Technological Innovations and Future Prospects
Let’s look ahead and see how technological advancements continue to bolster hydrogen safety.
Innovation is at the heart of hydrogen safety. From advanced materials and cutting-edge sensor technology to improved safety engineering, ongoing R&D projects play vital roles. For instance, the European Union’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) initiative is pioneering efforts to make hydrogen technology safer and more reliable.
Collaboration is key, with public and private sector partnerships being essential for pushing forward safe hydrogen usage. Projects like the California Fuel Cell Partnership showcase how effective collaboration leads to practical and safe hydrogen applications.
Wrapping Up: The Road Ahead for Hydrogen Safety
However, as with all other fuels, chemicals, and substances, precautions and correct procedures must be carefully considered, followed, and developed to ensure the safe and efficient use of hydrogen. Hydrogen has great potential to become the primary energy carrier in a future world that fosters environmental, societal, and safety aspects beyond current levels. By candidly admitting and mitigating the known risks, a better world can be built.
Be informed and engage in public discussions about hydrogen safety. With continuous innovations and unwavering commitment to safety, hydrogen indeed stands as a promising component of our sustainable energy future.
Written by: BalticSeaH2 partner, PowerUP Energy Technologies