Emergency response planning for hydrogen storage facility

Depleting fossil fuel reserves and the need for alternate clean fuel for future energy applications have catapulted hydrogen as one of the most promising sources of energy. Large scale hydrogen production is done by conventional hydrogen plants. The technology of hydrogen production is composed of two main components viz. reforming and purification. Both these processes require handling and storage of hydrogen. Hydrogen is a highly inflammable gas and is associated with wide flammability limits. Hence it is necessary to indentify the potential hazards associated with hydrogen handling and storage facilities. This paper brings out the emergency response planning for hydrogen storage facility based on safety assessment studies. Hazard ranking, identification and analysis have been carried out using appropriate tools. Consequence analysis has been carried out for various scenarios viz. rupture, leakage, etc. using Safeti Micro v6.4. Based on these studies protective, preventive and emergency measures have been identified and recommended. Keywords: Hydrogen, emergency response, hazard identification, consequence analysis