(30a) Qualitative Hazard Analysis of Bulk Hydrogen Fuel Storage

As the push toward decarbonization and away from oil and gas has strengthened, hydrogen fuel has become increasingly studied and considered as one of the more promising fuel alternatives in this effort. However, before significant reliability on hydrogen fuel can be achieved, and before Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP), Layer of Protection Analyses (LOPA), Mechanical Integrity (MI), and Pressure Relief Analyses (PRA) can be accurately assessed, major safety concerns, specifically regarding the bulk storage of hydrogen fuel, need to be addressed and analyzed. The potential hazards of hydrogen fuel are generally understood, but studies of such hazards tend to be quantitative and lack a “cause and effect” analysis, and/or the studies lack inclusion of all possible scenarios. This paper will present a comprehensive, qualitative analysis of hazards associated with storing bulk amounts of hydrogen fuel.

Specifically, this paper will analyze the cause and effect of the following scenarios, why hydrogen poses increased risk for such scenarios, and propositions for potential proactive and/or reactive protections:

• Degradation of storage tank material.
• Explosions and fires resulting from various causes.
• Unexpected vessel heating.
• Joule-Thompson effect during tank filing.
• Unexpected vaporization of liquid hydrogen fuel.

This paper will also discuss proper pressure relief device sizing associated with each scenario as well as pressure relief discharge location.

A qualitative study of all potential hazardous scenarios is crucial in the growing integration of hydrogen fuel. Without a comprehensive understanding of the cause, effect, and progression of a scenario, and the hazardous properties of hydrogen itself, bulk hydrogen storage will maintain significant risks.

The target audience for this paper is anyone developing or using Process Safety Management (PSM) protocol for hydrogen fuel production facilities.