Safety of Hydrogen/Methane Blends
The process safety community has a special challenge when it comes to the use of hydrogen as an alternative to natural gas (methane). The question ‘Is hydrogen safe?’ will crop up with increasing frequency.
In most cases, hydrogen is actually blended with methane. The article Hydrogen Pipeline Safety from the Pipeline Safety Trust states,
Hydrogen blending into gas distribution systems should not be permitted at any level because of hydrogen’s ability to explode, especially in buildings.
Regarding the use of pure hydrogen they say,
New smaller diameter gas transmission pipelines may be suitable for hydrogen service if knowledge gaps can be resolved, pipeline integrity can be demonstrated, and pipelines can be sited to ensure that failures will not result in deaths or injuries.
The process safety challenge will be either validate or challenge the above statements.
