Explosion protection

for hydrogen
applications with
gas detection
By Martin T.Olesen - Dräger
 01
Hydrogen

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2019
 Hydrogen
Properties of Hydrogen
• smallest existing molecule
• is flammable, non-toxic and non-corrosive. It has a suffocating effect on people.
• is colourless and odorless
• is the lightest gas, rises quickly, is extremely flammable and forms an explosive atmosphere with air

Hydrogen H2 Methane CH4

Density 0,08388 kg / m3 0,7175 kg / m3
Ignition temperature 585°C 540°C
Lower explosion limit 4 Vol.% 5 Vol.%
Upper explosion limit 77 Vol.% 14 Vol.%
Minimum ignition energy 0,02 mJ 0,28 mJ
Explosion group IIC IIA

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 02
Explosion protection standards

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2019
Explosion protection standards
Harmonized standards

Responsibility of employer Responsibility of manufacturer

IEC / EN 1127-1: Basic concepts and methodology IEC / EN 1127-1: Basic concepts and methodology

IEC / EN 60079-10-1: Classification of areas – explosive gas atmospheres IEC / EN 60079-0: Equipment – General requirements

IEC / EN 60079-10-2: Classification of areas – combustible dust IEC / EN 60079-1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures “d”
atmospheres

IEC / EN 60079-14: Electrical installations design, selection and erection IEC / EN 60079-7: Equipment protection by increased safety “e”

IEC / EN 60079-11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety "i"

IEC / EN 60079-17: Electrical installations inspection and maintenance

IEC / EN 60079-29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of

IEC / EN 60079-19: Equipment repair, overhaul and reclamation detectors for flammable gases

IEC / EN 60079-29-2: Gas detectors – Selection, installation, use and IEC / EN 60079-29-4: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of open
maintenance of detectors for flammable gases and oxygen path detectors for flammable gases

… …
 Explosion protection standards

01 02 03
Primary: prevent Secondary: prevent Tertiary (also referred to as
explosive atmospheres. ignition sources. “constructive”): prevent and
reduce damages and effects
− Prevent gases to leak − Use ex-certified equipment
in case of an explosion. Conclusion
(gas-tight constructions) only (depending on ex-zone)
− Remove gases quickly − Use mechanic instead − Use fireproof and retardant Gas detection is regarded
(ventilation systems) of electric equipment materials/walls as primary explosion
− Detect gases quickly (e.g. valves) − Use pressure relief protection to prevent
− Use grounding and valves/areas explosive atmospheres in
conductive floors − Mark ways for evacuation the first place.

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 Explosion protection standards

Primary explosion protection –

Avoidance of an explosive atmosphere An area in which an explosive
− Prevention of the formation of an explosive atmosphere within apparatus atmosphere is not to be
− Concentration monitoring – outside the explosion limits expected in such quantities
− Inerting that special protective
measures are required is
− Prevention of the formation of an explosive atmosphere in the vicinity of plants considered a non-hazardous
and parts of plants
area within the meaning of
− Leak tightness of plant parts – constructive or constructive measures combined
the present standard EN 01127.
with organizational measures
− Inspection and control with portable gas warning devices or stationary gas
warning devices with warning function

− Ventilation
− Dilution of the concentration of combustible substances in air
below the lower explosive limit (LEL)
− Prevent or limit the formation of hazardous explosive atmospheres

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 Explosion protection standards

Gas warning devices

− Gas warning systems with alarms
− Alarm limit so far below the explosion limit that measures
from the operating instructions take effect in good time

− Gas warning systems with automatic switching functions

− In addition to the alarm, trigger measures to prevent an explosive
atmosphere (e.g., ventilation, shutting off individual system parts, Inerting)
− Process engineering plant remains in operation

− Gas warning systems with automatic triggering of emergency functions

− In addition to the switching functions, triggering of automatic switch-off
processes (= safe shutdown of the system)

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 03
Classification of areas –
Explosive gas atmospheres

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2019
 Classification of hazardous areas
IEC / EN 60079-10-1
In areas where dangerous quantities and concentrations of flammable gas or
vapour may arise, protective measures are to be applied in order to reduce the
risk of explosions. This part of IEC 60079 sets out the essential criteria
against which the ignition hazards can be assessed and gives guidance on the
design and control parameters which can be used in order to reduce such a
hazard.

Annex H (informative) Hydrogen

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 Classification of hazardous areas
IEC / EN 60079-10-1
Annex H (informative) Hydrogen
H.2 The ignition temperature of hydrogen is 560 °C. Although very high temperatures are required to ignite a hydrogen-air mixture, precautions should be
taken to ensure that hydrogen leaks are not exposed to any hot surfaces.
...
H.4 Releases of large volumes of hydrogen are likely to accumulate in overhead spaces. A release of hydrogen can form gas pockets in alcoves, eaves and
dormers that tend to be poorly ventilated. In contrast, relatively small openings in such spaces will permit efflux of hydrogen and may be sufficient to prevent
hydrogen concentration from small volume releases.
H.5 Releases of hydrogen gas will generally result in a jet directed from the release point. Then, when the momentum is gone, the gas plume will assume a
more vertical upward motion and generally disperse harmlessly in a well-ventilated area.
H.7 The flame fronts observed with hydrogen-air mixtures burn less readily when forced to burn in a horizontal direction and even worse in a downward
direction.

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 Classification of hazardous areas
IEC / EN 60079-10-1
Annex H (informative) Hydrogen
H.8 Measures to mitigate hydrogen releases should consider providing for rapid rise of the gas to atmosphere away from structures to help prevent possible
ignition during the release. Additional ventilation and/or adequate space for dilution and distribution of the release may be provided internally. When gas
detection is used as a surveillance measure, the sensors should be located above the release points and/or near the ceiling, exhaust fan or exhaust duct. The
sensors require a regular calibration schedule, and the sensor should only be used with hydrogen as the calibration gas be calibrated.

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 04
Selection of detectors for
flammable gases and oxygen –
EN 60079-29-2

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2019
 Selection of detectors for flammable
gases and oxygen
Measuring principles
Flammable gases and vapors

Catalytic sensor ≤ LEL

Thermal conductivity sensor (0) up to 100% Alternative techniques that do
Infrared sensor (0) up to 100 % not meet metrological standards
Semiconductor sensor ≤ LEL (e.g., IEC 60079-29-1 or IEC
Electrochemical sensor ≤ LEL (H2 or CO) 60079-29-4) should only be
Flame ionization detector (FID) ≤ LEL considered as supplementary
Flame temperature analyzer ≤ LEL measurement principles.
Photo ionization detector (PID) ≤ LEL

Oxygen

Electrochemical sensor Vol. %

Paramagnetic oxygen detector Vol. %

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 Selection of detectors for flammable
gases and oxygen
Environmental
influences,
Low temperature and
humidity: electrolyte
can dry out
Interference, Cross-
sensitivity to other
gases can lead to a
positive or negative
signal change
Electrochemical sensor:
Electrochemical sensors work much like batteries Limitations,
− In the presence of the target gas, a small electrical depending on sensor
charge is chemically generated between two electrodes type, O2 is required for
and displayed in the transmitter chemical reaction. No
prolonged operation in
− The signal size is proportional to the concentration
O2-free environment.

Example of a chemical reaction:

CO + H2O → CO2 + 2 H + + 2e -
O2 + 4 H + + 4e - → 2 H2O

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 Selection of detectors for flammable
gases and oxygen Below the LEL,
flameless oxidation
reaction.

Flameproof
CH4 + 2 O2  CO2 + 2 H2O + heat of reaction encapsulated, with
a flame barrier to the
environment. Different
sensitivities,
to different
Catalytic sensor combustible gases.

The catalytic sensor is a flameproof sensor for

measuring flammable gases and vapors.
− The heat of reaction measuring principle is based
on the fact that flammable gases and vapors
undergo an oxidation reaction with atmospheric
oxygen, even at concentrations below their LEL
− The heat of reaction released in the oxidation
reaction is a measure of the gas concentration
Information and images from DrägerSensor® & Gas Detector Manual, 4th edition, 2018 Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA

© Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, 2022

 Selection of detectors for flammable
gases and oxygen

Catalytic sensors are suitable for the detection of gas/air Sufficient concentration of oxygen for proper function
mixtures up to the lower flammable limit (LEL) − Min. 10 vol.% – for proper function
− Response time and sensitivity depend on the individual − Warning: With concentrations above the lower flammable limit, a catalytic
gas to be measured. sensor may erroneously indicate that the concentration of flammable gas is
− For gas mixtures, the sensor should be calibrated below the LEL
to the gas with the lowest sensitivity − Therefore, equipment fully complying with IEC 60079-29-1 using catalytic
− The ratio of response to different gases can change with time, sensors shall have a locking over range indication to prevent erroneous
particularly for methane or natural gas. readouts due to this
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 Selection of detectors for flammable
gases and oxygen
Catalytic sensor – limitations

1 2 3
High gas concentrations Preventing false alarms Poisoning
high gas concentrations can lead to longer To prevent false alarms, it is recommended that Catalytic sensors are susceptible to poisoning by
recovery times or changes in the zero-point the alarm level should not be set below: traces of several substances. This leads to an
display or sensitivity − 5% LEL for methane inhibition which can be permanent or temporary
depending on the contaminant
− 10% LEL for propane and butane
− Silicones (e.g., waterproofing, adhesives,
− 20% LEL for gasoline vapors special oils and greases, commercial cleaning
agents,…);
− Sulfur compounds

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 05
Performance Approval – IEC /
EN 60079-29-1

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2019
 Performance Approval – IEC / EN 60079-29-1

Transmitter Control unit

Requirements acc. 94/9/EC and or 2014/34/EU: Requirements acc. 94/9/EC and or 2014/34/EU:
− Ignition protection min. Category 2 − Safe and reliable measuring function
− Safe and reliable measuring function

− Possible type marking acc. 94/9/EC and or 2014/34/EU: − Possible type marking acc. 94/9/EC and or 2014/34/EU:
CE0000 II 2 G CE0000 II (2) G
− EC-/EU-Type examination certificate acc. EN 60079-0 and EN − EC-/EU-Type examination certificate acc. EN 60079-29-1 required
60079-29-1/-4 required

II 2 G II (2) G

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 Performance Approval – IEC / EN
60079-29-1
Type examination certificate
acc. EN 60079-29-1:2016
DrägerSensor PR/HT M DQ and or PR NPT DQ in
combination with:
− Polytron SE Ex PR M DQ
− Polytron SE Ex PR NPT DQ
− Polytron SE Ex HT M DQ
− Polytron 5200
− Polytron 8200

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 Performance Approval – IEC / EN 60079-29-1
DrägerSensor PR/HT DQ –
Type examination certificate acc. EN 60079-29-1:2016
Substanz/Substance CAS Substanz/Substance CAS
Aceton/acetone 67-64-1 n-Hexan/n-hexane 110-54-3
Acetylen/acetylene 74-86-2 Methan/methane 74-82-8
Ammoniak/ammonia 7664-41-7 Methanol/methanol 67-56-1
Benzin 065/095/petrol 065/095 - Methylethylketon/methyl ethyl ketone 78-93-3
Benzol/benzene 71-43-2 Methylmethacrylat/methyl methacrylate 80-62-6
1,3-Butadien/1.3-butadiene 106-99-0 n-Nonan/n-nonane 111-84-2
n-Butan/n-butane 106-97-8 n-Octan/n-octane 111-65-9
n-butylacetat/n-butyl acetate 123-86-4 n-Pentan/n-pentane 109-66-0
Diethylether/diethyl ether 60-26-7 Propan/propane 74-98-6
Dimethylether/dimethly ether 115-10-6 i-Propanol/i-propanol 67-63-0
Essigsäure/acetic acid 64-19-7 Propylen (Propen)/propylene (propene) 115-07-1
Ethanol/ethyl alcohol 64-17-5 Propylenoxid/propylyene oxid 75-56-9
Ethylacetat/ethly acetate 141-78-6 Toluol/toluene 108-88-3
Ethylen (Ethen)/ethylene (ethene) 74-85-1 Wasserstoff/hydrogen 1333-74-0
Ethylenoxid/ethlyene oxide 75-21-8 o-Xylol/o-xylene 95-47-6
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 Many thanks

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