Innovativ & Kundenorientiert

Wir sind erreichbar: +41 (0)44 556 83 00

Erhalten Sie ein kostenloses Angebot für Ihr Unternehmen

H2 Hydrogen Gas detection

Learn everything about hydrogen (H2) and find the right gas detection system for hydrogen monitoring.

Hydrogen and its properties

Hydrogen, a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, consists of a single hydrogen atom. It is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, and is found in only small quantities in the Earth’s atmosphere because it quickly escapes into space.

In industrial environments, hydrogen poses a major risk due to its high flammability. When combined with oxygen, it forms explosive mixtures that can detonate when exposed to sparks or heat. In addition, large quantities of hydrogen can displace oxygen, leading to a risk of suffocation.

Hydrogen is considered a promising energy source because it produces only water when burned and does not release any greenhouse gases. Its importance extends to ammonia production, energy generation in fuel cells, petroleum refining and many chemical processes.

Gasmessfühler

No data was found

Alarm levels & limit values

Important information about hydrogen

limit values

Lower explosion limit (LEL) 4 vol. – %

Pre-alarm 10% LEL (0.4 vol. – %)
Main alarm 20% LEL (0.8 vol. – %)

gas density

Relative gas density 0.0695
ceiling installation

Gasmerkmale

Colourless
Odourless
Compressed gas
Liquefied gas at extremely low temperatures
Contains refrigerated gas
Risk of suffocation at high concentrations
Explosive when in contact with heat or sparks
May cause frostbite on direct contact with liquefied hydrogen

Do you require further information?

Questions about hydrogen detection?

Sources of danger

Explosion hazard: Hydrogen is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures.
Risk of suffocation: In enclosed spaces, hydrogen displaces oxygen.
Leaks: Hydrogen is difficult to detect as it is colourless and odourless.
Overpressure risk: Improper handling of compressed hydrogen can lead to explosions.
Cold burns: Liquid hydrogen can cause severe frostbite.
Material embrittlement: Hydrogen can embrittle metals and compromise their stability.
Risk of sparks: Static electricity can ignite hydrogen.
Inadequate ventilation: Inadequate ventilation increases the risk of hydrogen accumulation and explosions.

high-risk scenarios

Hydrogen leakage: Hydrogen gas escapes from leaky pipes or containers, increasing the risk of explosion.
Explosion during ignition: Hydrogen gas ignites due to a spark, open flame or high temperatures, which can result in explosive events.
Suffocation: In enclosed spaces, hydrogen can replace oxygen, resulting in oxygen deficiency and thus a risk of suffocation for people.
Storage and transport: Compressed hydrogen can cause overpressure, explosion or leaks if stored or transported improperly.
Liquefaction and cold burns: Contact with liquid hydrogen can cause severe cold burns or frostbite.
Reaction with metals: Hydrogen can cause certain metals to become brittle, which can lead to material failure and leaks.
Inadequate ventilation: If work areas where hydrogen is used are not adequately ventilated or lack ventilation altogether, there is an increased risk of accumulation and thus of explosions.

Health risks and handling of hydrogen

Konzentration

Konzentration	Symptome/folgen
0.01 - 0.2 ppm	Normal concentration outdoors, no hazard.
50 - 100 ppm	Initial symptoms of prolonged exposure, such as headaches and dizziness.
200 - 400 ppm	After 2-3 hours, severe symptoms, including severe headache, dizziness, nausea and confusion.
800 ppm and above	Fatal after 1-2 hours of exposure; at concentrations above 1600 ppm, it can be fatal within 20 minutes.

Konzentrationstabelle nur im Querformat sichtbar.

Erste Hilfe

Exposure to hydrogen (H2) can be life-threatening and requires immediate first aid. These first aid steps for hydrogen exposure should be followed:

1. Evacuation without delay

Get fresh air immediately: Take the affected person outside immediately. Hydrogen has the ability to replace oxygen, which can lead to suffocation. Be careful and do not put yourself in danger.

2. Raise the alarm

Call the emergency services (112) and report your suspicion of hydrogen exposure or a possible incident. Provide as many details as possible, for example, whether the incident occurred at an industrial plant.

3. Check breathing and whether the person is conscious.

Ensure that the person is conscious and breathing normally. If the person is not breathing, start resuscitation (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if you are trained to do so.

4. Oxygen administration

If possible, give the affected person oxygen via a face mask to improve their oxygen supply.

5. The recovery position

If the person is conscious but dazed, place them in the recovery position to prevent them from choking on their vomit or their airways becoming blocked.

6. Pay attention to the person

Keep an eye on their breathing and consciousness until the emergency services arrive.

7. Further measures

Communicate with the arriving emergency services and provide them with important information, such as the duration of exposure and the situation on site.

Important note:

Never go back without adequate breathing protection or safety precautions if you suspect you may be returning to an area with hydrogen. Without prompt treatment, hydrogen exposure can have serious consequences; therefore, swift action is crucial.

Bei Unbeabsichtigter Freisetzung

In the event of an accidental release of hydrogen (H2), swift and coordinated action is crucial to minimise the risk to people in the vicinity. The following steps are recommended:

1. Clearing the danger zone

Leave the affected area immediately, especially if hydrogen equipment or systems are in operation nearby. Alert others in the vicinity and ensure that everyone leaves the area quickly and safely.

2. Optimise ventilation

To remove hydrogen from the affected area and replace it with fresh air, open doors and windows as wide as possible. If available, activate ventilation systems to speed up ventilation.

3. Deactivate hydrogen source

If it is safe to do so, deactivate the hydrogen source (e.g. containers, pipes). Be careful and do not take any risks, as hydrogen is highly flammable.

4. Make an emergency call

Contact the emergency services (112) immediately to obtain professional assistance, especially if people are affected or the danger cannot be quickly eliminated. Provide clear information about the situation and the type of hydrogen source.

5. Rescue of persons (only if it is safe to do so)

Only attempt to move people out of the danger zone if it is safe to do so and you are not putting yourself at risk. Keep in mind that hydrogen in high concentrations can displace oxygen.

6. Administer first aid

If people show symptoms of hydrogen exposure (e.g. in the event of shortness of breath, dizziness or confusion), observe the first aid measures for oxygen deficiency:
– Take the person outside.
– Administer oxygen, if available.
– Monitor breathing and level of consciousness.

7. Warning and cordoning off

7. Warning and cordoning off: Cordon off the danger area to prevent others from accidentally entering it until the danger has been removed.

Important note:

You should not enter the area without suitable respiratory protection, especially if the hydrogen concentration is high or you do not know what it is. Releasing hydrogen can cause serious accidents, so it is crucial to always act with caution and foresight.

Headaches, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness, as well as bluish discolouration of the skin (cyanosis), are typical symptoms of hydrogen exposure in areas with oxygen deficiency.

hydrogen

Special applications and considerations

Fuel cell vehicles: Hydrogen is used in fuel cells to enable emission-free driving. These vehicles convert hydrogen into electrical energy, emitting only water vapour in the process.
Energy generation: Hydrogen can be burned in thermal power stations or used in fuel cells to generate electricity. This enables flexible energy generation and the integration of renewable energies.
Metal processing: Hydrogen is used to reduce metal oxides in metallurgy in order to obtain pure metal and is also used for heat treatment of metals.
Coolant in generators: In some industrial applications, hydrogen is used as a coolant to efficiently dissipate heat in electrical generators.
Environmentally friendly synthesis: Hydrogen can be used in the chemical industry to produce environmentally friendly chemicals, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels.