Hydrogen Hazards, Risks, and Safety

As Malaysia is moving towards a net zero carbon emission and cleaner energy, hydrogen has emerged as a potential energy alternative to fossil fuels due to its high energy density compared to gasoline and liquefied natural gas.

In addition, hydrogen is considered an excellent clean fuel with potential applications in several fields. However, despite its advantages, the flammability of hydrogen has raised many concerns about hydrogen-related hazards considering catastrophic incidents that may occur such as hydrogen fire and explosion.

The hazard caused by hydrogen comes from material properties-related issues which are used to handle, store or transport hydrogen, as well as the handling process and storage of hydrogen. Where the primary hazards include hydrogen release and subsequent ignition.

Immediate ignition of hydrogen usually causes hydrogen jet fires, whereas delayed ignition of hydrogen leads to the explosion. Such incidents can lead to significant losses including life, financial, property and subsequently damaging the environment which will lead to catastrophic consequences.

These accidents not only destroy facilities, but also it may hit nearby facilities with certain physical effects. Several incidents have been reported recently which shows the serious hazard hydrogen may cause. The transition from fossil fuel to hydrogen face a lot of challenges due its flammability and handling hazards related to the effect of hydrogen on materials.

This course is aimed to provide insights on the hazard hydrogen may cause including fire and explosion risks, as well as hydrogen interaction with materials and hazards associated with hydrogen process, handling, and storage.

Content:

• Benefits of hydrogen, hydrogen production, applications, and why we need to focus on hydrogen hazards and safety measures.
• Hydrogen fire and explosion characteristics, dynamics, and behavior
• Hydrogen safety consideration, and hydrogen leaks probabilities, and formation of explosive atmosphere
• Hydrogen material compatibility and interaction with materials
• Hazards associated with hydrogen storage, and transportation including hydrogen embrittlement,
• Other hazards related to hydrogen
• Hydrogen hazards risk assessment
• Hydrogen hazards preventive measures

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand hydrogen fire and explosion dynamics, behavior, causes, and spread.
• Understanding the challenges and hazards associated with hydrogen production, handling, and transportation. 
• Understand hydrogen material compatibility issues and challenges especially hydrogen permeability as well as embrittlement, storage, and transportation.
• Perform risk assessment of hydrogen caused hazards.
• Understand the possibility of hydrogen leaks and causes.
• Hydrogen hazard prevention measures.