Stay Safe with Hydrogen | Portable & Temporary Lighting
Published 23 Sep 2022
Hazardous Area Lighting
Staying Safe
Hydrogen, a clean carbon neutral energy source emitting no CO², is often described as the fuel of the future but in reality it is increasingly being used already in a wide range of applications in the UK and overseas.
Though its green planet credentials are highly encouraging, its advocates should not play down the risks its use can potentially cause. Hydrogen is a highly volatile element which creates a highly hazardous explosive atmosphere. Its inherent risk is caused not only by its low ignition and high combustion properties, but also by its tendency to leak easily from storage tanks.
A number of explosions within hydrogen refuelling stations and storage locations have underscored the fuel’s potential dangers.
Engineers and technicians working in locations where hydrogen, or other explosive gases or vapours, could be present can be confident that Wolf has a safe, certified and effective portable and temporary lighting solution which can be tailored to meet their specific needs.
While recognising these risks hydrogen is already being used to power fuel cell vehicles including buses, trucks and a test train currently running trials in Scotland. Future applications could include powering construction machinery, ships, even aircraft.
BP has revealed plans to build the UK’s biggest hydrogen production plant on Teesside, due to go into operation by 2030. It will have capacity of up to 1GW of ‘blue hydrogen’ representing 20 per cent of Britain’s target of 5GW before the end of this decade. Hydrogen is also being developed as a generator of thermal power in other parts of the world, including Australia and Japan.
Most of Wolf’s portable and temporary lighting, as well as power distribution products, are ATEX and IECEx certified for use where hydrogen could be present.
Michael Morley, Wolf Safety’s Technical Director, comments: “Engineers and technicians working in locations where hydrogen, or other explosive gases or vapours, could be present can be confident that Wolf has a safe, certified and effective portable and temporary lighting solution which can be tailored to meet their specific needs.
“However, it is important that while developing new applications for hydrogen, in pursuing justifiable aspirations for green and clean solutions, people should not lose sight of its potential to cause explosion.
“The use of ATEX or IECEx certified lighting is a vital safety precaution in hydrogen atmospheres.”
Hydrogen is increasingly becoming the fuel of the present, as well as the future.
Further Reading
- Tank Cleaning | ATEX Portable Light, Power & Heat For Hazardous Areas
- Portable & Temporary Lighting for Hazardous Area & Explosive Atmospheres
- Non-Contact Level Measurement & Wireless Measurement Data Transmission In Chemical Storage Tank Farm
- Safely Illuminating Difficult To Access Areas On North Sea Oil Rigs With Wolf WL-50 Mini Worklite
EXPERTS IN EQUIPMENT FOR EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES
leaders in ATEX Innovation To The Hazardous Area Industries
Thorne & Derrick are leaders in the development and distribution of Product Innovations that deliver significant improvements to clients plant, people and operational safety in the explosive atmosphere industries.
Your proactive problem solvers experienced in succession planning for the replacement of obsolete, non-conformant and legacy equipment in hazardous areas.
Your first-choice provider of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure ATEX & IECEx Compliance for Hazardous Area Electrical, HVAC & Process Instrumentation Equipment to UK and international projects.
Control Panels | Plugs | Isolators | Enclosures & Junction Boxes | Lighting | Control Stations | Motor Starters | Heat Trace | Gas Detection | Flame Detection | Process Instrumentation | Process Heating | Ventilation Fans | Security Access Control
Competitive Prices | Extensive Stocks | Technical Support | Express Delivery
