It has been demonstrated experimentally and numerically that accidental releases of pressurised hydrogen are prone to spontaneous ignition. The actual causes of ignition could include electrostatic and corona discharge; mechanically generated sources; diffusion ignition due to shock heating and catalytic ignition. It is also recognised that two or more of these mechanisms could be present together.

This is a cut out from a recent study circulated in the EU.

EN 1127-1 says possible ignition sources might be:

– Hot surfaces

– Flames and hot gases (including hot particles)

– Mechanically generated impact, friction and abrasion

– Electrical equipment and components

– Stray electric currents, cathodic corrosion protection

– Static electricity

– Lightning

– Radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves from 104 Hz to 3 × 1011 Hz

– Electromagnetic waves from 3 × 1011 Hz to 3 × 1015 Hz

– Ionizing radiation

– Ultrasonic waves

– Adiabatic compression and shock waves

– Exothermic reactions, including self-ignition of dusts

Ex personnel competency shall be a key issue even when making studies. Topic hydrogen is trendy today, but it is still explosive in many ways.

Keep up good work!

Arpad

veress@exprofessional.com

exprofessional.com

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