Fire and explosion protection for a hydrogen production plant
Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG planned to build a hydrogen production plant. Müller-BBM Industry Solutions developed a fire and explosion protection concept for this project, taking into account the specific hazards posed by hydrogen.
At a glance
| Client: | Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG |
| Branche: | Energy supply |
| Object: | Hydrogen production plant |
| Expertise: | Plant safety
|
| Location & period: | Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia September 2023 – May 2026 |
Initial situation
Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG planned to construct a hydrogen production plant to supply a neighbouring hydrogen refuelling station. The plant comprises several technical containers housing a PEM electrolysis system for producing hydrogen from demineralised water and electrical current.
Due to the properties of hydrogen as a flammable gas, it was necessary not only to assess fire safety requirements but also to evaluate explosion protection aspects and to define appropriate protective measures.
Mission
Müller-BBM Industry Solutions drew up and updated the fire and explosion protection concept for the planned hydrogen production plant. The assessment was carried out taking into account the country-specific fire safety requirements under building regulations, as well as the relevant legislation and regulations governing hazardous substances. In addition to defining the necessary fire safety measures, we analysed the processes and plant areas for potential explosion hazards and, in consultation with the client, established suitable explosion protection measures to ensure safe operation.
Fire Safety Plan
As part of the fire safety plan, the local conditions, the design of the plant and potential fire and hazard scenarios were assessed. On this basis, the necessary structural, technical and organisational fire safety measures were defined.
The concept includes the information required under § 9 of the BauPrüfVO NRW, in particular regarding:
- the fire-fighting water supply
- the areas designated for the fire department
- the emergency exits
- Fire detection and alarm systems
- Smoke and heat extraction measures
- technical fire safety systems and
- workplace measures for fire prevention and fire-fighting
In addition, potential deviations from building regulations were assessed and appropriate compensatory measures were developed to ensure an equivalent level of safety in terms of the fire safety objective.
Explosion Protection Strategy
As part of the explosion protection concept, the hydrogen-carrying components of the PEM electrolysis plant were examined with regard to potential releases and the formation of explosive atmospheres. On this basis, the zones were classified and technical and organisational protective measures were defined.
The concept was subsequently incorporated into an explosion protection document in accordance with § 6 section 9 of the GefStoffV, which covers the risk assessment, the definition and implementation of protective measures, and the assessment of all areas of the plant relevant to explosion protection. This made it possible to minimise potential explosion risks and create the conditions for safe and compliant plant operation.
Result
The fire and explosion protection concept that was developed laid the groundwork for the safe and compliant construction and operation of the planned hydrogen production plant. Provided that the specified measures are taken into account, there are no concerns regarding the operation of the plant from a fire and explosion protection perspective.