CATCH hosted the Humber Major Hazards Group on Wednesday 16 July, we were delighted to be joined by Yura Sevcenco a Principal Hydrogen Consultant with DNV based at Spadeadam, who gave a presentation on Hydrogen Safety and Carbon Dioxide testing developments at Spadeadam. The network’s chair, Dan Rawdin from SSE, welcomed over 25 delegates both on teams and in person at CATCH.

Yura first gave a detailed input on hydrogen safety, how hydrogen compares to natural gas in various scenarios and how the smaller mass of the hydrogen molecule leads to different behaviour and different hazard and risk management approaches. Yura demonstrated how hydrogen behaves differently to methane in situations such as accumulation and compared jet fires in both substances. Yura described results of experiments on the effects of reactivity on confined and congested explosions. Yura highlighted that Acetylene has a higher rate of deflagration to detonation transition than hydrogen and could present an example of a common chemical used today with the appropriate safety protocols in place. When looking at the wider risk of a gas distribution network running on methane (with older equipment) compared to a potential new hydrogen system deployed (with new equipment), there is evidence to suggest this being a safer system overall.

Yura took questions and after a coffee break continued with an update on a project called Skylark Joint Industry Project at Spadeadam, with a focus on CO2 hazards. Research on carbon dioxide safety, related to capture, transportation and storage, has been undertaken since 2007. Experiments have been performed at Spadeadam to understand how CO2 gas behaves in various leak/release scenarios. Yura described how dispersion models have been used for various weather conditions and how different terrain can affect the outcome. Learning points will be shared with emergency responders and training packages are being developed. 

Companies were given the opportunity to provide site updates and Katie reviewed the content of the website www.goinstayintunein.org with the group. The website is available to members to aid their communication of site hazards and actions to be taken in the event of an incident that may occur and result in offsite effects.

The next Major Hazards Group will be held on 12th November at PX, Saltend, Hull. If you are interested in attending, please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org.