LAUSR

Hydrogen is a strong candidate for fueling the green energy transition. Hydrogen, like all stores of potential energy, can be dangerous if not handled properly. The most common, and rapidly growing, source of green hydrogen is electrolysis of water. Electrolyzers split the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Hydrogen is flammable while oxygen is an oxidizer. If hydrogen escapes, a hazardous condition can be generated, which may have significant safety consequences. As a result, a commonly employed safeguard is a gas detection system with automatic shutdowns. This paper presents an overview of the hazards of hydrogen generation through electrolysis, and then presents a case study of the design of a gas detection system for an electrolyzer facility. The design of the gas detection system included using gas detection mapping approaches recommended by ISA TR 84.00.07 for placement of the required detectors along with recommendations by IEC 61511 for the design of the associated automatic shutdown of the electrolyzer and return to a safe state.