Mythbusting Hydrogen - FAQ
Is hydrogen flammable or explosive?
Yes, hydrogen is highly flammable and can be explosive in air. But it's not inherently more dangerous than petrol or natural gas. With proper engineering controls and safety design, hydrogen can be handled safely in vehicles, refueling stations, and industrial processes. It disperses quickly, making outdoor use generally safer than in enclosed spaces.
Hydrogen is often called the fuel of the future — and for good reason. It leaves no carbon footprint when used as fuel and can be produced in many sustainable ways, including from water (green), natural gas (blue or grey), nuclear (pink), solar (yellow), and biomass (orange), to name a few.
While technical and economic hurdles remain, hydrogen is expected to play a major role in our future energy systems. Here's a breakdown of common questions and answers to clear up misconceptions:
1. Is hydrogen fuel more dangerous than petrol/gasoline/naphtha?
No. Hydrogen fuel systems in vehicles and at refueling stations are designed with strict safety standards and multiple layers of protection to keep the driver and public safe. They are no more dangerous than current fuels used in internal combustion engines when managed correctly.
2. Is hydrogen toxic or poisonous?
No. Hydrogen is not toxic. It’s the simplest element in the universe, made of just one proton and one electron. Because of this, it doesn’t have the complex chemistry needed to be poisonous.
3. Is hydrogen a safety hazard?
Yes – but so are all flammable gases. Hydrogen has a wide flammability range and ignites easily, but with proper engineering controls for generation, storage, and transport, it can be managed safely — similar to natural gas or other fuels.
See blog: https://www.alpha-systems.com.au/blog/hydrogen-safety-same-risks-different-rulesnbsp
4. Is hydrogen gas explosive?
Yes, it can be. A hydrogen-air mixture is highly explosive. However, hydrogen is extremely light (low specific gravity) and disperses quickly in open air, making it less likely to form dangerous clouds outdoors. Enclosed spaces do present greater risks, and that's where specialist hydrogen safety engineers are essential.
5. How do green methanol and ammonia relate to hydrogen?
Hydrogen is difficult to store and transport. Converting it into methanol or ammonia makes handling much easier and safer. These fuels can be used directly or reconverted into hydrogen when needed.
6. Can hydrogen safety be assessed the same way as methane/LNG?
In a nutshell - no. Hydrogen does not behave the same as methane / LNG both inside the process and upon release. Hydrogen’s chemical and reactive properties introduce a unique set of challenges in keeping it safe. Having said that, hydrogen as a fuel is not new and there has, and continues to be, a lot of published research in hydrogen safety. Additionally, there are formally trained specialist hydrogen safety engineers to ensure that the generation, storage, transportation, and use of hydrogen is safe.
7. If hydrogen is the fuel of the future, why are companies abandoning hydrogen projects?
Not because of safety. Many projects are paused or shelved due to:
High current technology development, production and infrastructure costs
Current low and uncertain demand
Uncertainty in regulatory support and requirements
As these factors evolve, many in the industry expect hydrogen to make a strong comeback.
