4 replies to this topic

[ennui03]

Hi! I have not handled hydrogen before so I would like to ask for your help.

 

A hydrogen buffer drum has a PSV set at 110 barg and will be relieving to flare. I would like to ask if this will be considered as hydrogen service and all the equipment and piping of the flare system will have to be designed as hydrogen service?

 

Thank you.

[Amit J]

ennui03,

 

You can consider H₂ buffer drum PSV tailpipe service as Hydrogen.  However considering overall scenario, if buffer drum is part of any Hydrocarbon treatment facility, you need to design flare system by giving priority to process complex requirements.

 

Beyond this, there are some peculiar characteristic that H₂ follow like...

a. H₂ flame is practically invisible ,

b. H₂ has very low ignition energy requirement, hence it can catch fire easily in normal Process plant environment.

c. At high pressures, H₂ does not follow JT effect and heats up when expand...

 

considering impact of such special characteristics, please analyse overall process system & flare system considering H₂ presence and provide mitigation measures required, if any.

[ennui03]

Thank you Amit J..

 

The buffer drum is not a part of hydrocarbon treatment facility. I believe it is use to hold hydrogen which will be used in the reactor.

 

I will include in the design that H2 may be released during short upset.

[Nikolay_]

Hello,

 

Hydrogen is volatile gas, why drum will be relieved to flare? Revise regulation documents if hydrogen can be relieved to atmosphere.

 

Regards,

Nikolai

[Technical Bard]

In my mind, a pure hydrogen stream should be ventable to atmosphere.  It may ignite on it's own due to static electricity at the vent point.   

 

However, in some jurisdictions, the government dictates that even hydrogen must be burned/flared/incinerated.