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Resource > Hydrogen Explosion Events and Comparison with Methane

Hydrogen Explosion Events and Comparison with Methane

November 09, 2022
Hydrogen Explosion

Authors

Principal John Evans, Thornton Tomasetti

Abstract

The use of hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas presents all of the hazards we associate with natural gas although the extent of the hazards can be greater for hydrogen; the flammability ranges in air for hydrogen are 4 % to 75 % by volume, high pressure releases of hydrogen can auto-ignite and hydrogen explosions can be more severe as hydrogen is more prone to detonation.

This paper provides background and insight into the potential for the ignition of a hydrogen in air mixture to reach detonation in comparison with methane, and the impact that can have on structures.