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Hydrogen safety – a new energy source with special risks

Hydrogen (H₂) is one of the most important sources of clean energy. In a move towards a more sustainable future, the number of hydrogen production and distribution facilities is expanding. With decades of experience in the process industry, Dräger is the ideal partner for customers and stakeholders – especially new players on the market – in assessing risks and providing comprehensive consultancy and hydrogen safety solutions. Dräger offers the first point of contact for hydrogen safety issues with thorough knowledge of the hazards of working with hydrogen.

How to meet hydrogen safety challenges

Hydrogen itself is not toxic, but it poses special risks to safety on plants and for the infrastructure which produce, distribute or use it. Read about the safety challenges and how Dräger can support the hydrogen economy with comprehensive risk analysis, project planning, selection and installation of the right safety solutions and services in all phases of the process.

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Hydrogen Early Warning Detection Solutions - Interactive Video

Hydrogen Safety Industry (Interactive Tool new)

Counter the risks & dangers of hydrogen

Click the link below and immerse yourself in our new interactive tool! You'll find much more on the different plant scenarios and applications and of course our solutions to counter the risks and dangers posed.

Interactive video

Hydrogen explosions and other major risks

Hydrogen does not impose major new risks compared to other gases. The trouble spots occur where people are involved in tasks along the hydrogen value chain, from production to use.

Even though specific challenges differ between applications, plant safety is common to all.

Here are some of the risk factors which Drager explores in projects with customers.

Explosion

Unlike actual explosives, pure hydrogen cannot explode. The risk comes when it hits the air. For hydrogen to cause an explosion, oxygen needs to be present. But if hydrogen is allowed to escape, even a static spark from clothing would be enough to set off an explosion.

Invisible flame

Hydrogen burns with a very very pale flame that is almost invisible in daylight. It emits very little radiant heat, which is why people perceive the great heat of the flame only at a very short distance. Hydrogen flames however, emit electromagnetic radiation in a specific wavelength range between 2 and 4 μm. To detect them, special flame detectors that can measure them are particularly suitable for rapid warning.

Leaks

Owing to its small molecules and low viscosity, hydrogen can leak from pipelines and other structures more easily than denser gases. In fact, when it leaks from a pipe at sufficiently high pressure, hydrogen can even self-ignite. As well as pipelines engineered to hydrogen-ready specifications, regular inspection is imperative to detect leak points at joints and along pipelines. Fixed leak detectors add another layer of safety.

Permeation

Hydrogen can easily permeate materials and in some cases embrittle them. For this reason, stainless steel and composite materials are typically used for storage tanks.

CO alarms

Carbon monoxide (CO) sensors are cross-sensitive to hydrogen. If used near possible hydrogen exposure, CO sensors should be compensated for hydrogen so that cross-sensitivity and false alarms are reduced to a minimum.

Gas pockets

Hydrogen is less dense than air and forms gas pockets below ceilings when leaking. Gas detectors are therefore usually installed in the ceiling area. When hydrogen and methane are mixed, hydrogen can form gas pockets above methane.

Odourless and colourless

Hydrogen has no smell and no colour, so is undetectable for humans. With methane, this issue is mitigated by adding odorants, and research is in progress to determine whether this will also be possible with hydrogen. Gas and leak detectors are essential.

Dräger Safety Solutions

Hydrogen safety starts with risk analysis, needs solid project planning and includes dedicated hydrogen detection solutions.

Safety and Emergency Management Escape Sign

Consultancy for your Safety

Consultancy in handling hydrogen safety challenges is a matter for Dräger safety engineers. Experts review existing concepts to identify potential for improvement and establish sustainable safety. They provide conceptual support, assess your risks and define measures together with you.

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Recommended Plant & Personal Safety Solutions

Get an overview of mobile and fixed gas detection solutions for hydrogen detection, as well as personal protective equipment and Dräger services.

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For safe production, storage and distribution of hydrogen, various detection technologies must be employed to build efficient levels of protection as a comprehensive safety solution. Hydrogen sensor devices provide instant alerts in case of hazardous leaks or risks of combustion.

Dräger Polytron 8200 CAT

The Dräger Polytron 8200 CAT is an explosion-proof high-end transmitter designed for detecting flammable gases and vapours. It uses the catalytic DrägerSensor Ex… DQ. In addition to the 3-wire operation with a 4 to 20 mA analogue output, it also offers HART, fieldbus options and Modbus, allowing you to integrate the transmitter with most ...

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Dräger Polytron^® 8900 UGLD

The Dräger Polytron^® 8900 UGLD transmitter is an early warning area monitor for detecting high-pressure gas leaks in outdoor industrial process environments. Thanks to an ultrasonic acoustic sensor, it responds earlier than conventional gas detectors because it registers the sound of leaking gas instead of measuring the concentration of ...

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Dräger Flame 1750 H₂ (IR3)

With its triple IR sensor, the Dräger Flame 1750 H₂ detects hydrogen-based fires. It offers you high reliability against false alarms and its good measurement performance remains even at extreme temperatures.

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Dräger Polytron^® 6100 EC WL

The Dräger Polytron 6100 EC WL is a wireless transmitter for continuous monitoring of toxic gases and oxygen. The instrinsically safe and SIL2-rated transmitter features completely wireless signal transmission and power supply. The internal battery pack allows the transmitter to operate continually for up to 24 month. This makes the Polytron a ...

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Dräger PEX 3000

The Dräger PEX 3000 transmitter detects flammable gases and vapours in concentrations below their lower explosive limit (100 % LEL). It helps you to increase the explosion protection of your plant. Its heat-tone sensor reacts to gas within just a few seconds, and the measurement signal remains particularly stable over the long term.

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Dräger REGARD^® 3000

Monitor various gases and vapours with the modular Dräger REGARD^® 3000 control system. Its multi-coloured status light signals the status of your gas detection system. The controller allows you to combine three different modules: Input, Relay and Gateway module. You can connect up to four analogue transmitters and eight relays ...

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Leak detection and personal air monitoring while working in hydrogen production, storage and transportation environments are the main applications for portable gas detectors. In addition, clearance measurement must be carried out prior to maintenance work using mobile detection and monitoring devices with hydrogen sensors.

Dräger Pac^® 8000

With the robust Dräger Pac^® 8000, you'll be well equipped for tough conditions: this non-disposable, personal single-gas detection device is a reliable and precise instrument, which detects hazardous concentrations of 29 different gases, including special gases like NO₂, O₃ or COCl₂. Measured data ...

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Dräger X-am^® 5800

The X-am^® 5800 multi-gas detector measures up to six gases and is equipped with a particularly shock-resistant CatEx sensor. With the Dräger Gas Detection Connect software, it offers live data transmission and powerful asset management. Designed for personal monitoring, the X-am^® 5800 offers you the highest level of safety at a low cost of ...

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Dräger X-am^® 8000

Clearance measurement was never this easy and convenient: The 1 to 7 gas detector detects toxic and flammable gases as well as vapours and oxygen all at once – either in pump or diffusion mode. Innovative signalling design and handy assistant functions ensure complete safety throughout the process.

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Find the full range of Dräger Portable Gas Detection products

Suitable occupational health and safety equipment is essential to protect employees during maintenance works on hydrogen production plants. Escape respiratory devices must be available in case of emergencies. Intrinsically safe, it should be noted that due to the explosive nature of hydrogen, breathing equipment should be inherently antistatic.

Dräger X-plore^® 3300/3500

A perfect combination: modern design and light weight offer you extra protection and comfort. Choose from the low-maintenance, cost-effective Dräger X-plore^® 3300 half mask or Dräger X-plore^® 3500 version for long lasting protection under tough conditions.

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Dräger PAS^® Colt

Combining versatility, ease of use and the latest in breathing apparatus design, Dräger’s PAS^® Colt is among the most technologically advanced short duration and emergency escape units available.

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Dräger PARAT^® Filtering Escape Hoods

The PARAT^® filtering escape hoods were developed with users, placing the focus on the fastest possible escape. Optimized operation and wearing comfort, a robust case and a sealed filter ensure protection from toxic industrial and/or fire-related gases, vapours and particles for at least 15 minutes.

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Consultancy in handling Hydrogen safety challenges is a matter for Dräger safety engineers. Experts review existing concepts to identify potential for improvement and establish sustainable safety. They provide conceptual support, assess your risks and define measures together with you.

Broad portfolio of services

We support you with a broad portfolio of services: from maximising uptime, installing and supporting our solutions, managing your portfolio, training your staff and leveraging the power of data to increase efficiency, reduce risks and drive outcomes.

Safety Services Overview

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Resource Centre

Discover Dräger’s collection of resources to effectively enhance your understanding of the hydrogen safety landscape.

What's New?

Our white papers on three of the main CleanTech energy carriers give you a quick overview of their key safety challenges and solutions to handle them.

Further hydrogen-related downloads

What makes hydrogen dangerous?

Learn about hydrogen properties and how to mitigate risks.

Download infographic

Hydrogen explosion

Explosion Protection Brochure (front cover)

The danger of explosion is lurking everywhere. Detecting flammable gases and vapours before they become a hazard takes priority over mechanical and electrical explosion-protection measures.

Download brochure

Detecting gas leaks at the speed of sound

Learn about leaks in hydrogen applications and how ultrasonic gas leak detection can save lives.

Download infographic

Detecting invisible hydrogen flames

Learn how to detect hydrogen flames in the most reliable way?

Download infographic

Hydrogen in the steel industry

Learn about hydrogen safety challenges in the steel industry and how to handle them.

Download infographic

Confined spaces in the chemical industry

Where no two jobs are the same. Cleaning and maintenance work in confined spaces present particular challenges for safety officers in the chemical industry. This document outlines five basic rules for working safely and efficiently.

Download brochure here

How to choose the right emergency escape devices

OilAndGas-Emergency-Escape-Infographic_en-master-9-11.jpg

Life-threatening emergencies can occur at any moment in all kinds of industries. Proper risk analysis and safety planning should consider every possible emergency scenario. Use this emergency escape chart to help you plan.

Download infographic here

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Watch our informative videos to learn how early warning systems can protect lives and assets in nature and in hydrogen plants.

Hydrogen Early Warning Systems: Ultrasonic Gas Leak Detection

In the wild, an early warning can mean the difference between life and death. In a hydrogen plant, where safety is crucial, ultrasonic early warning provides additional protection. The Dräger Polytron(R) 8900 UGLD uses an ultrasonic acoustic sensor to detect hydrogen gas leaks.

Hydrogen Early Warning Systems: Gas Detection

In the wild, extraordinary senses separate those who survive and those who do not. An extraordinary sense of ‘smell’ is essential to everything running smoothly in hydrogen plants. The Dräger Polytron 8200 is able to ‘smell’ gases, even at very low concentrations and trigger an early warning as soon a dangerous concentration, even a small one, is detected.

Hydrogen Early Warning Systems: UV Radiation Detection

In nature early warning of impending danger is key to survival. The ability to detect UV radiation enables early warning systems in hydrogen plants. Hydrogen flames are barely visible. The Dräger Flame 1750 H2 detector uses a Triple IR sensor to "see" hydrogen flames which would not otherwise be detected.

Dräger X-am 8000 - Clearance Measurement

Dräger Clearance Measurement

Clearance measurement was never this easy and convenient: The Dräger X-am® 8000 measures up to seven toxic as well as flammable gases, vapours and oxygen all at once — either in pump or diffusion mode. Innovative signalling design and handy assistant functions ensure complete safety throughout the process.

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Watch Dräger experts give educational talks and webinars, created to support the energy transition decarbonising our future.

Managing your hydrogen facility means also handling the safety risks. Detection technologies help you deal with these challenges. Our Gas Detection experts give you an overview of possible technologies and solutions and will answer every question you have. Register below and receive the recordings and you'll see our expert talks on:

Hydrogen Plant Safety: with a Detection Matrix
Explosion protection for hydrogen applications with gas detection
Ultrasonic Gas Leak Detection: Hydrogen Plant Safety at the Speed of Sound
Flame Detection: Protection from Invisible Hydrogen Flames

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We've looked externally for the latest useful research and findings into sustainable Clean Energy and its place in the future clean technology environment. Click the links below to find out more.

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If you have any questions or queries about Clean Energy, Hydrogen and the safety solutions involved - then complete the short form below and we'll get straight back to you.

Fixed gas solution engineering planning — Individual solutions: gas detection systems designed for you
Every industrial plant is different. From our extensive experience, we know that fixed fire and gas detection systems are only as effective as the planning which goes in to them. To that end, we work in close collaboration with our customers to provide guidance through the complete process – from consultation through design, realisation and implementation. So, you can achieve the best possible solution for your specific needs.
Fixed Gas Detection Solutions

Our organization is a member of the Center for Hydrogen Safety, which is a global nonprofit resource that supports and promotes the safe handling and use of hydrogen across industrial and consumer applications in the energy transition. For more information visit the Center for Hydrogen Safety website.

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