A Safer hydrogen-powered future with protium x crowcon
4 min read
Case Study
The global energy transition is picking up speed as economies shift investment towards a more sustainable future. The drive to a sustainable, low-carbon economy is increasing the demand for greener alternatives to fossil fuels. Green hydrogen could be a critical enabler of the global transition to sustainable energy and net zero emissions economies. This has resulted in new industries and technologies that can manufacture, transport and store hydrogen at scale.
Leading The Way in Green Hydrogen
Protium, a pioneering company specialising in sustainable energy solutions, occupies a pivotal role in advancing hydrogen technologies for use at industrial and manufacturing sites. With a primary focus on green hydrogen production, storage and utilisation, Protium is helping companies to transition to a more sustainable way of operating, using hydrogen as a fuel, from transportation to power generation.
As one of the leading hydrogen producers in the UK, Protium have been producing green hydrogen commercially since March 2023. Currently, they are producing ~200kg weekly from Pioneer 1, their South Wales-based hydrogen production facility (HPF), filling manifolded cylinder pallets (MCPs) via a containerised 100kW Electrolyser. A second much larger HPF is due to open late 2024 in Wales, producing up to 1 tonne of green hydrogen daily.
“Protium is proud to be at the forefront of the green hydrogen revolution, supporting fleet and transport trials in South Wales and across the UK, as well as a variety of customer projects including off-grid power generation and static power applications. As one of just a handful of companies in commercial green hydrogen production and utilisation, we understand that our mission goes beyond generating clean energy – we are committed to paving the way for wider adoption of green hydrogen, developing the ecosystem in support of the growing sector, and ensuring the highest safety standards across our operations.”
“Safety is our number one priority and we need to ensure that we detect any leaks at the earliest stage. While the electrolyser has in-built capability to shut down immediately, Crowcon provides an important line of defence both inside the container, and through the mobile monitor worn by our operatives on site.”
Will Stinton,
Head of Operations at Protium
Protium’s Action-Plan for Hydrogen Safety
Hydrogen is a key player in achieving a cleaner energy future by promoting energy independence and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, the inherent risks associated with hydrogen cannot be overlooked. Even minimal release of hydrogen gas in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire or explosion. Despite these risks, hydrogen’s rapid dispersion demonstrates its manageable nature under controlled conditions. Prioritising safety for both the onsite team and the local community, Protium utilises Crowcon gas detection systems to ensure the safe production of green hydrogen.
Protium’s site has secure gates all around with access only to trained personnel, while the operations manager takes ownership of site safety, enforcing secure working practices and managing the on-site presence of visitors and contractors.
The electrolyser that produces the hydrogen is containerised and as part of this solution Protium’s technology partner provided them with Crowcon gas detection to enhance safety on site: “Safety is our number one priority and we need to ensure that we detect any leaks at the earliest stage. While the electrolyser has in-built capability to shut down immediately, Crowcon provides an important line of defence both inside the container, and through the mobile monitor worn by our operatives on site.” explains Will.
Premier Gas Detection with Crowcon
With a gas as volatile as hydrogen, every second counts. Protium’s Pioneer 1 safety infrastructure includes three Xgard Bright MPS™ Detectors and an external Gasmaster 4 control panel, complemented by portable T4 detectors worn by all personnel entering the container.
With a remarkable resolution of 1 %LEL (Lower Explosive Limit), the Xgard Bright MPS™ detectors showcase its incredible precision. This means it can detect even the slightest changes in hydrogen concentration, ensuring onsite safety and providing early warnings when needed. Protium also benefit from a low total cost of ownership due to the MPS™ sensors’ immunity from poisoning, 15+ years sensor life and zero calibration requirement.
The highly versatile Gasmaster control panel monitors the detectors and automatically stops the hydrogen generation process if hydrogen is detected, well before combustible hydrogen concentrations can accumulate.
Since the hydrogen generation containers are typically unoccupied, it is crucial for personnel to determine the cause of any alarms or shutdowns. The user-friendly Gasmaster control panel features an ‘Event Log’ function, allowing staff to view all alarms and faults with their corresponding time and date.
The Gasmaster has been extensively proven in containerised power generation applications for over 15 years. Reliability is paramount in these applications, especially when containers are placed in remote locations with limited service support.
A Safer, Brighter Energy Future with Hydrogen
As one of the first commercial hydrogen production facilities, Pioneer 1 is providing invaluable expertise and experience for Protium and its supply chain, from safe and efficient hydrogen production to developing and meeting demand. It is also vital for building public trust and confidence in the use of hydrogen as a future energy source.
With safety a primary focus in working with a flammable gas like hydrogen, Crowcon is helping to ensure its customers like Protium can continue to safely operate its hydrogen production facilities knowing that any traces of gas can be quickly detected and mitigated.
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