Hydrogen - An Odourless Gas

Published 21 Oct '20
Read Time: 5 mins

Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. With a standard atomic weight of 1.008, hydrogen is the lightest element in the periodic table.

As the Hydrogen race continues for a clean renewable it must be highlighted that Hydrogen is

•  Odourless
• Tasteless
• Non- toxic
• Is extremely light and very good at escaping whats trying to contain it.
• Flammability at 1 atm 4%-75%in air, and
• It has very low ignition energy 19 micro joules
• Nearly invisible flame.

Being an odourless gas there are certain legislation requirements that need to be met in Queensland for using Hydrogen. The main requirement is under Section 628 of the Petroleum and Gas Act.

Which states

628 Odour requirement

(1) A person must not supply fuel gas to a consumer unless—

(a) the gas has the prescribed odour; or

(b) the supply is to an industrial installation with appropriate gas detectors and shut-down systems and a risk analysis has been carried out by an appropriately qualified person showing the supply is safe.

(2) The fact that a person is supplying a consumer with fuel gas under subsection (1)(b) does not limit an inspector’s power to give the person a dangerous situation direction that requires the gas to have the prescribed odour.

(3) In this section—

appropriately qualified person means a person who—

(a) is independent of the person supplying the fuel gas; and

(b) the chief inspector considers—

(i) is appropriately qualified; and

(ii) has access to information to carry out the risk analysis.

This means unless a Odourant is added to Hydrogen then a unodourised Gas Risk Assessment is required to be carried out by a competent person, of which HAZ can perform.

 In situations where an operating plant uses gas as part of the production, processing and transportation life cycle of fuel gas the risks associated with unodourised gas must still be assessed and controlled.

This material is produced by HAZ. The information is of a general nature only and should not be relied upon.  Each set of circumstances associated with compliance of hazardous areas and Type B compliance is unique and expert advice on your particular circumstances should be sought.  HAZ accepts no liability for any reliance on the information published on this website.