Page 19 - Process Safety and the Energy Transition

Selected Process Safety Incidents

 Refueling station explosion in Sandvika, Norway, June 2019.
(CTIF 2019)

 Multi-cylinder hydrogen trailer explosion in Santa Clara,
California, June 2019. (H2tools.org 2021)

 Hydrogen storage tank explosion at the Gangwon Technopark

in Gangneung, South Korea, May 2019. Two fatalities and six
injuries. (Korea Herald 2019)

 Hydrogen explosion at OneH2 in Catawba County, North
Carolina, April 2020. Sixty homes damaged. (Powder & Bulk

Solids 2020)

 Hydrogen explosion at Polysar Ltd. In Sarnia, Canada, April,
1984. Two fatalities. (NCSP 2024)

 Hydrogen explosion at Silver Eagle Refinery, Woods Cross, Utah,
November, 2009. 4 injuries. (CSB 2024)

1. What are your biggest process safety risks?

Hydrogen is a molecule that industry has been producing and transporting for a long time;
however, now it is being handled at a greater scale and in applications never before used.
Natural gas pipelines are being converted to transport hydrogen and hydrogen/natural gas
blends and new pipelines are being constructed. Many of these pipelines are underground.

Hydrogen can cause embrittlement in metals which can lead to cracks and equipment
failures. Hydrogen is the smallest molecule and can leak through valves, fittings, and
connections where other materials cannot. Repurposing of existing equipment (e.g.
pipelines, valves) for hydrogen use requires comprehensive review of the suitability of the
equipment materials of construction, temperature/pressure ratings, and fitness for service.
Small hydrogen leaks in underground piping systems can be very hard to detect.

Hydrogen risks include jet fires and explosions. Hydrogen burns with an almost
colorless flame. Hydrogen has a very low minimum ignition energy and high ignition
probability. Comparing hydrogen to ammonia (discussed in the Ammonia section) and
methane, which is a commonly used hydrocarbon, hydrogen’s greater energy potential is
clear as shown in Table 1. Higher total energy and the higher energy release rates lead to
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Process Safety and the Energy Transition
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