Safety

Safety

Safety

Ensuring the safety of employees, contractors and the public is IEPS’s highest priority!

H2 and O2 generation facilities can create public concerns regarding safety and safely handling  H2 and O2 requires a commitment to following safe practices and attention to details. H2, like all other fuels, has some degree of danger associated with its production, storage and transportation and must be managed with care. O2, although a common substance in air, can also have a range of negative effects when in a more concentrated form.

Although both non-toxic and non-corrosive, H2 can induce metal fatigue in some forms of steel pipe and the associated welded joints. O2 is also not toxic but, unlike H2, is in a concentrated form, highly corrosive. Although H2 is much lighter than air and dissipates very rapidly when released, it also ignites more easily than either propane or natural gas.

O2 is also not toxic but, is, in a concentrated form corrosive. Higher than normal concentrations of O2 also exacerbate the rate of ignition of other combustible materials.

To reduce the risks:

  • The Project production facilities will be equipped with H2 and O2 — enrichment detection systems and designed and built to ensure more than adequate ventilation.
  • Both H2 and O2 will only be stored in well ventilated, ideally open-air conditions with appropriate setbacks from other facilities etc.
  • All tanks and seals will be made will be made only of materials heavily resistant to the respective effects of H2 and O2 and will also be inspected regularly.
  • No sources of ignition including open flames, sparks from friction or electrical circuits will be permitted.
  • Staff will be well trained in identifying and responding to potentially dangerous conditions should they occur.
Safety