Énergies renouvelables
From hydrogen power to battery energy storage systems, we’re trusted across the renewable energy landscape to safeguard a greener energy future.
SAFEGUARDING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
As we move away from fossil fuel dependence, renewable energy such as batteries and hydrogen are set to play an increasingly important role in our energy future. However with the increased use of these energy sources comes a rise in safety risks, such as the off-gassing and thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries and the flammable nature of hydrogen, making rigorous approaches to gas detection essential for safeguarding a more sustainable future.
HYDROGEN
From working as a substitute for fossil fuels in heavy industry to powering vehicles, the use and potential use for hydrogen as an energy source is only growing. However its highly combustible nature means the safety focus must be on leak detection, to prevent risk of fire or explosion. From production to storage and distribution, each step of the hydrogen power supply chain has areas of vulnerability from leaks, making rapid, reliable gas detection of paramount importance for protecting this burgeoning industry.
Clean & Renewable
Hydrogen produces only water vapour when burned, making it a zero-emission fuel
Reduces Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Helps transition to a low-carbon economy, reducing reliance on oil and gas.
Versatile
From fuel cells for vehicles to electricity generation and industrial processes, the versatility of hydrogen power offers great promise for a greener future
Clean Energy Storage
Excess renewable energy can be converted into hydrogen through electrolysis, storing it for later use, helping to provide a steady, sustainable energy supply
Hydrogen Gas Hazards
Hydrogen has a low ignition energy and can ignite easily in the presence of an oxidizer, making it highly flammable. With a flammability range between 4%–74% vol. in air, even leaks of small quantities of hydrogen pose a significant risk of fire and explosion.
Across the hydrogen supply chain, the greatest risk of hydrogen leaks are around moments of transfer, where there is the biggest chance for human error. Personal protection solutions for when you’re moving about the plant or working in confined spaces, combined with fixed gas detectors, provide the best possible defence against risks associated with hydrogen leaks.
Hydrogen is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, making leaks hard to detect without specialised sensors. Sophisticated gas detection tools are essential for identifying leaks quickly, as not only is the high flammability of hydrogen a risk- it could also displace oxygen in confined spaces and cause asphyxiation.
In confined spaces, hydrogen can displace oxygen, leading to asphyxiation risks. Proper ventilation is crucial in areas where hydrogen is used or stored. Currently, ISO 22734-1:2019 standard specifies that a hydrogen gas detection system that initiates ventilation at 0.4%v/v (100%LEL) hydrogen must be installed close to the hydrogen generator. Hence, a gas detector should ideally come with relay output to trigger a ventilation system when the hydrogen level exceeds 0.4% v/v in air.
BATTERY SAFETY
Providing a cleaner way of producing and storing energy, battery power is poised to become a leading feature of our greener energy landscape. From electric vehicles, to battery energy storage systems (BESS), batteries play an increasingly vital role in our energy future. However, each battery technology from mechanical to electrochemical, comes with risks such as thermal-runaway, making detection of early warning signs such as off-gassing of vital importance.
Green Energy Storage
Batteries store energy from renewable sources like solar and wind, ensuring power availability even when generation is low.
Grid Stability
Help balance supply and demand by smoothing out fluctuations in energy production and consumption.
Emission Reduction
By storing and releasing clean energy, batteries reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Scalable Power
Batteries are flexible and can be scaled for different applications, from small devices to large grid systems, and provide power in remote or off-grid locations.
Battery-Related Gas Hazards
Chemical batteries, particularly lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries, can emit hazardous gases during charging and discharging.
Traditional lead acid batteries produce hydrogen when they are being charged. These batteries are normally charged together, sometimes in the same room or area, which can generate an explosion risk, especially if the room is not properly ventilated.
For lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries, damage to the battery’s protection circuit or damage to the cell itself can lead to dangerous thermal runaway, which can result in catastrophic damage through fire and explosion.
The electrolyte in a lithium-ion battery is flammable and generally contains lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) or other Li-salts containing fluorine. In the event of overheating, the electrolyte will evaporate and eventually be vented out from the battery cells.
Researchers have found that commercial lithium-ion batteries can emit considerable amounts of hydrogen fluoride (HF) during a fire, and that emission rates vary for different types of battery and state of charge levels. Hydrogen fluoride can penetrate skin to affect deep skin tissue and even bone and blood. Even with minimal exposure, pain and symptoms may not present for several hours, by which time damage is extreme.
Products for Hydrogen and Battery Hazards
Moniteurs portables
Moniteurs fixes
Panneaux de contrôle
QUOI DE NEUF
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