Web-Based Resources Enhance Hydrogen Safety Knowledge

Transcription

1 Web-Based Resources Enhance Hydrogen Safety Knowledge Steven C. Weiner, Linda L. Fassbender, Chad Blake, Salvador M. Aceves, Brian P. Somerday and Antonio Ruiz presented to HYPOTHESIS IX San José, Costa Rica December 12-15, 2011 HYP 011 PNNL-SA-83988

2 Introduction Web-based resources play a key role in reaching, educating and informing stakeholders whose contributions will help enable the deployment of new hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. 2

3 Knowledge Tools Target Stakeholder Audience Hydrogen Incident Reporting and Lessons Learned Characterizes hydrogen-related incidents and near-misses to facilitate the sharing of lessons learned and other safety event information Hydrogen Safety Best Practices Shares the benefits of extensive experience by providing suggestions, recommendations and references pertaining to the safe handling and use of hydrogen Hydrogen Safety Bibliographic Database Provides searchable references to reports, journal articles, conference proceedings and other bibliographic resources on many aspects of hydrogen safety 3

4 Knowledge Tools Target Stakeholder Audience Introduction to Hydrogen Safety for First Responders Provides an awareness-level overview of hydrogen for fire, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, or individuals who may witness or discover a hydrogen release and must initiate an action Introduction to Hydrogen for Code Officials Provides an overview of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, discusses how these technologies are used in real-world applications and references related codes and standards Permitting Hydrogen Facilities Helps local permitting officials address proposed hydrogen fueling stations, fuel cell installations for back-up power and other hydrogen projects using a searchable model code database 4

5 Knowledge Tools Target Stakeholder Audience Safety Training for Researchers Presents basic hydrogen safety information in a set of six modules for laboratory researchers handling small amounts of hydrogen Technical Reference for Hydrogen Compatibility of Materials Consists of material specific chapters (as individual PDF files) summarizing mechanical-property data from journal publications and technical reports 5

6 An Integrated Approach to Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety US Canada Italy Japan Switzerland France Germany Greece Norway The Netherlands UK European Commission Incident Reporting/ Lessons Learned and Best Practices Hosted by the Istituto Superiore Antincendi (Fire Prevention Institute), Rome, Italy IEA HIA Task 31 Experts Group Hydrogen Safety Panel HAMMER CaFCP Kidde Fire Trainers Hydrogen Safety Training 6 The rescue at the Sunnyvale (CA) Department of Public Safety Hydrogen Safety Panel visits Bridgestone Firestone in Graniteville, SC

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8 Capturing Safety Event Information Each safety event record contains: Description Severity (Was hydrogen released? Was there ignition?) Setting Equipment Characteristics (High pressure? Low temperature?) Damage and Injuries Probable Cause(s) Contributing Factors Lessons Learned/Suggestions for Avoidance/Mitigation Steps Taken Tube Trailer Rollover Gas Chromatograph Piping Leak and Explosion 8

9 Settings for Safety Events Battery Charging Facility 3% Other 11% Chemical Plant 4% H2 Production, Storage & Use Facility 5% Laboratory 32% Oil Refinery 5% Nuclear Waste Processing Facility 5% Government Facility 5% Hydrogen Tube Trailer or Tanker 7% Power Plant 7% Commercial Facility 7% Hydrogen Fueling Station 9% 9

10 Equipment Involved in Safety Events Process Equipment 3% Heating Equipment 4% Electrical Equipment 4% Motive Power Systems 4% Pressure Relief Devices 4% Laboratory Equipment 5% Ventilation Systems 6% Other 11% Safety Systems 7% Vehicles & Fueling Systems 11% Piping, Fittings & Valves 27% Hydrogen Storage Equipment 14% 10

11 Developing Safety Event Records Both incident and near-miss records are sought An easy-to-use, online form is provided for self-submittal of records. Self-submittal is encouraged, but only ~10% of the records have been self-submitted. Multiple approaches are used to seek out new safety records. Working with incident owners and other submitters is an important aspect of this work. Discuss, encourage and reach agreement for the submittal of a safety event record. Discuss, clarify and edit the description, information and lessons learned. Obtain organizational approval for posting. 11

12 Expanding Knowledge Sharing The Lessons Learned Corner Helps focus attention on key safety themes and what has been learned utilizing safety event records Published quarterly Themes covered to date: Management of Change Working with Reactive Metal Hydrides in the Laboratory The Importance of Purging Hydrogen Piping and Equipment Hydrogen Use in Anaerobic Chambers Adequate Ventilation of Battery Charging Facilities Learning from Burst Disk Failures Hydrogen Compatibility of Materials (New!) 12

13 The Lessons Learned Corner Management of Change MOC is the process used to review all proposed changes to materials, technology, equipment, procedures, personnel, and facility operation to determine their potential effects on safety vulnerabilities. At least 25 records in H2Incidents.org refer to MOC. Hydrogen Safety Panel suggests that MOC principles should be applied more systematically to elevate the importance of safety in the research environment. MOC usually applies to permanent changes, but temporary changes (e.g., deviations from standard operating conditions, untrained personnel filling in during an absence) have also contributed to catastrophic events. 13

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15 Hydrogen Best Practices Website Content Introduction to Hydrogen Hydrogen Basics, Hydrogen Hazards Hydrogen Properties Gaseous Hydrogen, Hydrogen Combustion, Liquid Hydrogen Expansion, Hydrogen Properties Influence Design Safety Practices (management-oriented topics) Safety Culture, Safety Planning, Incident Procedures, Communications Design and Operations (engineering-oriented topics) Facility Design Considerations, Storage & Piping, Operating Procedures, Equipment Maintenance, Laboratory Safety, Indoor Refueling of Hydrogen Forklifts 15

16 Laboratory Safety (Design and Operations) Laboratory Design What does a laboratory designer need to think about? Cryogenic Liquid, Cylinder Safety, Emergency Plans, Explosion Protection, Fire Protection, Fume Hoods, Leak and Flame Detection, Multiple Exits, Storage and Piping, Use of an Electrolyzer, Ventilation Laboratory Operations What does a laboratory researcher need to think about? Chemical Hazards, Chemical Hydrogen Storage, Emergency Response, Explosion Protection, General Operations, Heating Equipment, Metal Hydride Storage and Handling, Hydrogen Gas and Flame Awareness, Labeling Equipment and Chemicals, Postings at Laboratory Entrance, Pressure Equipment, Ventilation Equipment 16

17 Linking to H2BestPractices.org Enhances the Value of Both 17

18 Concluding Thoughts Web-based tools are powerful resources taking many forms Help spread the wealth of existing data, information and knowledge on the safe handling of hydrogen Help remove barriers to the deployment and commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies Complement more traditional means such as technical conferences and journals, newsletters, organizational websites, webinars and classroom training Content must be current, relevant to the community being served and valuable to the user Prompt and timely responses to user feedback and inquiries are important 18

19 Acknowledging U.S. Department of Energy Fuel Cell Technologies Program (Sunita Satyapal, Program Manager; Antonio Ruiz, Safety, Codes and Standards Team Leader) Our co-authors at You, the audience and HYPOTHESIS IX 19

20 Contact Steven C. Weiner Program Manager, Hydrogen Safety Energy and Environment Directorate Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 901 D Street SW, Suite 900 Washington, DC Tel: Fax: sc.weiner@pnnl.gov 20