Hazards for syngas fires and explosions

Abstract

Fire and explosion hazards in ammonia plants include releases of flammable materials. The distinction between fire and explosion scenarios is often whether the fuel ignites promptly upon release or has delayed ignition. Prompt ignition prevents formation of a flammable vapor cloud and, thereby, averts a VCE. Syngas contains a significant amount of hydrogen, a fuel that is easily ignited. Industry experience with accidental releases of syngas has been that it promptly ignites. Literature was reviewed for test and accident data for syngas and hydrogen to estimate the probability of prompt versus delayed ignition. No instances of syngas VCEs were found in literature; however, numerous test and accidents were reported for hydrogen. The probability of delayed ignition varied with the release conditions. A conservative estimate of the probability of delayed ignition was developed. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2010

Hazards associated with syngas storage

“…Storage processes may for example be a part of electricity production in IGCC power plants, where stored synthesis gas can be used to improve the power unit productivity or reliability. A release of syngas may cause a situation with no ignition at all, but it is also possible that immediate or delayed ignition will occur [4]. If the released gas does not ignite, it will disperse in air creating no fire hazard or explosion risk.…”

“…• explosion -i.e. a violent oxidation or decomposition reaction causing a rise in pressure and/or temperature [3,4,10,11].…”

“…methane, nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The composition depends on the feedstock or the gasifying medium [3,4]. An example composition of syngas is presented in Table 1 [2,5].…”

“…The research on the scope of syngas application is therefore centred on the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology, alternative internal combustion engines (ICE) and fuel-chemical production [1,4,7]. Such studies are presented e.g.…”

“…Regardless of the final method of syngas application and of the technology advancement, each stage of syngas production, storage, transport and use requires additional attention focused on safety issues. Such analyses are presented for example in [4,10]. Safety is an important factor to consider because the presence of flammable and toxic gases in syngas creates potential hazards to humans E3S Web of Conferences 137, 01022 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201913701022 RDPE 2019 and the environment in the event of an installation failure or an uncontrolled gas release.…”