Digital Exclusive: Unlocking the power of hydrogen processing: Ensuring safety and driving profits
Steve Elliott, Schneider Electric, Brighton, UK
In the quest for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, hydrogen has emerged as a pivotal element. Hydrogen holds the promise of providing carbon-neutral energy, with zero emissions.
However, harnessing the potential of hydrogen for energy generation requires a deep understanding of the associated safety considerations. When it comes to hydrogen processing, it’s important to examine hydrogen’s unique challenges and the innovative approaches that business leaders can adopt to ensure safety while driving profitability in the hydrogen processing industry.
Safety considerations around hydrogen processing. Hydrogen processing presents a unique set of challenges that demand a heightened focus on process safety. According to a recent report from the International Energy Agency, the global demand for hydrogen is projected to increase significantly in the coming years, driven by its applications in sectors such as transportation, industry, and power generation.
As industries embrace the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, the need to prioritize safety measures becomes increasingly critical.
One of the key influencers in the realm of hydrogen processing safety is the surge in safety incidents. Despite a decrease in working hours, there has been a troubling rise in safety incidents and fatal accident rates, pointing to a pressing need for enhanced safety protocols.
Moreover, the introduction of new technologies in the chemical and energy sectors has reshaped the risk profile, introducing novel threats and complexities. With the digital transformation revolutionizing the workforce, organizations are grappling with a digital divide that demands a paradigm shift in safety expectations and approaches.
Navigating unique risks in hydrogen processing the safety considerations in hydrogen processing revolve around effectively managing the risks of fire, explosion, and electrocution. As organizations delve into hydrogen production, they are confronted with the challenge of mitigating these inherent risks. This necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the potential hazards and threats associated with hydrogen processing facilities, such as electrolyzers for hydrogen production and the balance of plant components, including batteries, cooling systems, water treatment and storage, and compression facilities.
Moreover, specific hazards intrinsic to the hydrogen processing process—such as high temperatures in membranes, elevated oxygen levels in hydrogen, and fluctuations in current and pressure in various components—demand meticulous risk mitigation strategies. Understanding these risks forms the foundational basis for developing more efficient safety measures that safeguard both personnel and assets in hydrogen processing facilities.
Harnessing innovative approaches for enhanced safety. In the pursuit of ensuring safety in hydrogen processing, organizations can leverage cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to fortify their risk management strategies. Embracing a systematic approach, such as process hazard analysis, enables organizations to meticulously identify and analyze the hazards inherent in handling highly hazardous materials like hydrogen. Additionally, the integration of cyber hazard and electrical system analyses into the risk assessment framework equips organizations to comprehensively address not only process-related risks but also cyber and electrical threats.
One of the transformative innovations in enhancing safety in hydrogen processing is the utilization of digital twins. By creating digital replicas of the processing and energy systems, organizations gain the capability to simulate various operational scenarios and deviations, thereby enabling a more rigorous and dynamic risk assessment. This empowers organizations to gain a deeper understanding of the interdependencies between process and energy systems, leading to the formulation of more effective risk mitigation strategies.
Elevating safety measures with layers of protection. To bolster safety measures in hydrogen processing, organizations can implement advanced layers of protection that surpass traditional barriers, ensuring a better defense in depth. An exemplary approach involves integrating the basic process control system with electrical systems, fostering operational efficiencies, and contributing to energy conservation—an imperative in the transition towards net-zero emissions.
Furthermore, the adoption of state-of-the-art safety instrumented systems, such as Tricon CX, for emergency shutdown and fire and gas applications, presents a comprehensive solution that optimizes space, engineering efforts, and support costs.
As industries embark on the journey towards harnessing the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, prioritizing safety in hydrogen processing is paramount. By embracing innovative technologies, systematic risk assessment methodologies, and advanced safety instrumented systems, organizations can not only mitigate the inherent risks associated with hydrogen processing but also drive profitability and sustainability in this evolving landscape.
With a steadfast commitment to safety, organizations can unlock the transformative power of hydrogen processing, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
The Author
Steve Elliott is the Senior Marketing Director for Schneider Electric Process Automation control and safety offerings. He has more than 20 yr of experience in the process control and automation industry, and has extensive experience in safety systems and the safety lifecycle, PLC, DCS and SCADA systems. He began his career in the automobile industry, serving as a control and instrument engineer involved in the research and development of engine control systems at Ricardo Consulting Engineers. He has held subsequent positions at Field Electronics and Silvertech International. He joined Invensys in 2003, where he has held numerous roles, including the role of Triconex sales director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and global product director for Triconex safety and critical control systems and offerings, responsible primarily for future direction and go-to-market strategy. He joined Schneider Electric in 2015. He resides on several steering committees and has the pleasure of working with many end users to improve the safety of the oil and gas industry. He is a recognized presenter at industry forums and events, has published several articles and white papers and is a patent holder.
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