Safety First for a Hydrogen Plant in Edmonton Canada—Here’s How

Hydrogen production poses unique challenges compared to other energy and feedstock industries. Small, easily diffusible, highly flammable, and incredibly difficult to detect at that, hydrogen plants in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada require exacting equipment and standards to keep leakage to an absolute minimum. Safe processing, transport, and storage rely not only on the strength of well-trained employees and detection sensors, but also on the equipment used throughout the operation. Emitted hydrogen has a wide concentration range of flammability in the atmosphere and extremely low activation energy: dust particles alone could provide the necessary spark to cause combustion. Beyond emissions, certain materials are liable to embrittle in a hydrogen-rich environment; the incorrect equipment will prove both dangerous and costly. To protect workers and ensure the conservation of a valuable product, hydrogen plants in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, need quality gas distribution and grab sampling systems.

Hydrogen Production Growth Expectations

Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, accounting for approximately 75% of all known matter. Hydrogen, much like electricity, can be considered a source of transportable, usable energy. Though it possesses the highest energy density of any fuel, its low volumetric energy density provides some challenges in safe transportation and storage. As Canada looks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 30% of 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, end-use options for hydrogen should continue to grow: 

• Transportation fuel: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are twice as efficient as standard combustion engines and produce only water as a product of combustion.
• Fuel for power production: Hydrogen can be used for wind or hydroelectric generators.
• Industrial heating applications: Hydrogen can replace natural gas combustion used for the steam-assisted gravity drainage extraction process.
• Building heating: In the home, heating is responsible for 80% of energy usage; hydrogen will be considered an excellent replacement for natural gas to lower emissions.
• Feedstock: Chemical production (ammonia, methanol), fuel processing (petroleum refining, bitumen upgrading), and steel production are just some of the many chemical industry uses for hydrogen.

As the demand for hydrogen use increases, so will production. It’s important that hydrogen plants in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, ensure their operations are running safely and efficiently. 

Grab Sampling Diagnoses System Inefficiencies

Grab sampling is an invaluable peek into any step of processing. With a representative sample, analysis can determine what steps may or may not be necessary to fine-tune hydrogen production safety. Furthermore, problems that are present can be correctly isolated through the entire operation with a representative grab sample. Depending on the H₂ source (gas or LH₂), different sampling equipment considerations may arise, such as the need for purging, continuous flow of sample, or a fixed volume vessel. The risk of injury will be mitigated with a safe grab sampling setup depending on the sample itself. For example, LH₂ can cause significant cold burns if it were to contact a technician’s skin; safe procedures would ensure that the grab sample vessel gathering from a high-pressure liquid source is collected into a closed container with a fixed volume. This has the additional benefit of ensuring the representativeness and integrity of the grab sample.

How To Protect Operators in Your Edmonton Canada Hydrogen Plant 

Gas distribution systems deliver a correctly pressurized gas at the necessary flow rate for processes from a high-pressure source. There are four typical subsystems that regulate pressure to the desired levels for safety:

• Source inlet connection: a bridge between the source high-pressure gas and the remainder of the distribution system; a single-cylinder system could be the hose and cylinder connection, while a more expansive system may involve multiple valves and hoses leading to the outlet connection.
• Point-of-use: a connection to the high-pressure source gas that includes a pressure regulator, gauge, and isolation valve; this system provides operators a convenient option to adjust the pressure to suit hydrogen production needs.
• Primary gas pressure control: This performs the first pressure reduction of the source gas, which can be accomplished with a single- or dual-pressure regulator step.
• Automatic changeover: offers the first pressure control point as well as an uninterrupted supply of gas; using two pressure regulators, the system can switch from one source to another as needed.

Safety is paramount when operating a gas from a high-pressure source. Numerous system considerations, such as whether a quarter-turn ball valve or a needle valve will provide the optimal solution for hydrogen plants in Edmonton to avoid potentially disastrous results to equipment and personnel. Correct sizing of components and introducing a restricted flow orifice (to limit maximum flow rate of a major leak) will yield additional safety benefits to any operators.

Partner with Experts to Keep Workers Safe and Operations Running

Whatever the safety needs of your hydrogen plant, Edmonton Valve & Fittings products, and services will supply exceptional quality. Field Advisors are ready to diagnose and treat any system issues to have you operating as safely and efficiently as possible.