Understanding the hazards of gases Hazards and preventive measures of hydrogen gas (Part 1)

Today, we will continue to introduce you to another common gas - hydrogen. Let's learn together~

What is hydrogen gas?

Hydrogen gas at room temperature and pressure is a colorless, odorless, highly flammable, and insoluble gas in water. Hydrogen is lighter than air, and when used and stored indoors, leaks can rise and accumulate on the roof, making it difficult to discharge. When exposed to a fire source, it can cause an explosion. Hydrogen is listed in the list of hazardous chemicals and is controlled in accordance with the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals.

Application of hydrogen gas

Currently, with China actively promoting its "dual carbon" strategy, hydrogen energy, as a new type of clean energy, is increasingly favored by the whole society. Under the promotion of national and local policies, the "hydrogen energy industry" has become a star industry in various regions, promoting the research, development, and application of technologies in hydrogen production, storage, and utilization.

Transportation field

The transportation sector is currently a relatively mature area for hydrogen energy applications, including highways, railways, aviation, and shipping. Among them, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are the main application means of hydrogen energy in the transportation field.

Power generation field

The application of hydrogen energy in the field of power generation is mainly as an integration of renewable energy systems, for clean power generation, and to balance the fluctuations between electricity demand and renewable energy.

Military field

In the military field, hydrogen fuel cells have a wide range of applications on submarines. It can provide quietness and high efficiency, which is crucial for achieving its "invisibility".

Heating supply

Mixing hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines to meet the heating needs of the construction industry while reducing carbon emissions. Hydrogen energy can also provide electricity and heat to buildings through fuel cells, achieving cogeneration and improving energy efficiency.

Hydrogen metallurgy

At present, multiple large steel companies are promoting the transformation and construction of hydrogen steelmaking production lines. Some have already transformed existing blast furnaces with hydrogen rich processes, or built gas based reduction plants to carry out hydrogen energy steelmaking, providing steel products for downstream while achieving carbon reduction.

Medical field applications

The application prospects of hydrogen in medicine are very broad. As a highly reducing gas, hydrogen can effectively inhibit the damage of free radicals to the human body, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti apoptotic effects.

The hazards of hydrogen gas

1 Easy to leak: The molecular weight of hydrogen is only 2, making it the lightest gas in nature and therefore highly prone to leakage. The leaked hydrogen gas will accumulate at the top of the space.

2 Flammability and explosiveness: Hydrogen has high flammability and explosiveness, and is a gas that forms explosive mixtures with air. If the hydrogen concentration in the air reaches 4%~75% and an effective ignition source is encountered, it can cause an explosion accident. Therefore, the production, storage, and transportation of hydrogen require great caution.

3 During combustion, the flame is difficult to observe: the flame produced by hydrogen combustion is light blue and almost invisible under sunlight. In many cases, odorous ethanethiol is added to hydrogen gas to enhance olfactory perception and give color to the flame.

4 Easy to cause suffocation: Hydrogen is not toxic, but it can cause suffocation. If the human body inhales too much hydrogen gas, it will make it impossible for the body to breathe normally.

5 High pressure combustion: Currently, the pressure levels of hydrogen gas cylinders mainly include 150bar and 200bar. Under these two pressures, once a pore with a diameter of 1 millimeter appears in the bottle, a flame of about 2 meters long will be generated.

6 Hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon: Hydrogen molecules infiltrate the defect microstructure of metal materials under pressure, causing embrittlement and cracking of the material, leading to hydrogen gas leakage.