1. Hydrogen R&D system HAZOP
Yury Ivanyushenkov
for
Elwyn Baynham, Tom Bradshaw, Mike Courthold, Matthew Hills and Tony Jones

2. MICE Hydrogen system HAZOP
R&D Hydrogen delivery system:
Preliminary HAZOP at the internal review – November 2005
Review panel recommended that “A full HAZOP study carried out with the aid of an external specialist, should be completed as a priority”.
- R&D system HAZOP study at RAL by SERCO experts – May 2006

3. HAZOP at RAL Mike Selway HAZOP Chairman (Serco)
Andrew White HAZOP Secretary (Serco)
Gary Allen Target Station Controler (RAL)
Tom Bradshaw Project Manager (RAL)
Mike Courthold Controls Engineer (RAL)
Matthew Hills Mechanical Engineer (RAL)
Yury Ivanyushenkov Research Engineer (RAL)
Tony Jones Mechanical Engineer (RAL)
Chris Nelson Project Engineer (RAL)
Jane Vickers ISIS Safety Officer (RAL)

4. MICE Hydrogen R&D System

5. HAZOP: Nodes 1. Metal Hydride Storage Unit
(Including Heater/Chiller Unit)
2. Hydrogen Bottle and line to Buffer Volume
(Including lines through HA-PV05, HA-RV06 & HA-PV07)
3. Purge/Fill Helium Cylinder and line through HA-PV18
4. Buffer Tank
(Including lines through HA-PV08, HA-BD09 & HA-RV10 to Vent)
5. Lines from Buffer Tank to Cryostat
6. Absorber Volume and Condensing Pot
7. Test Cryostat and Mass Spectrometer Port to Vent and exhaust Vent
(Including coolant lines)
8. Nitrogen System - Jacket and Ventilation Purge
(Including nitrogen cylinder and lines through HA-PV11, HA-BD12 & HA-PV13))
9. Gas Panel

6. MICE Hydrogen R&D System
Node 8
Node 3
Node 1
Node 5
Node 4
Node 7
Node 6
Node 6
Node 9
Node 2

7. HAZOP Keywords Keywords Level Instrumentation Ventilation
Flow Operator Action Loss Of Services
Pressure Structural Failure Effluent / Waste / Residue
Temperature Corrosion / Erosion Sampling
Composition Contamination External Hazards
Concentration Impact

8. HAZOP Node 1

9. HAZOP Recommendations
Index
Node 1: Metal Hydride Storage Unit, Parameter: Flow
Node 1: Metal Hydride Storage Unit, Parameter: Temperature
Node 1: Metal Hydride Storage Unit, Parameter: Operator Action
Node 2: Hydrogen Bottle and line to the Buffer Volume, Parameter: Pressure
Node 2: Hydrogen Bottle and line to the Buffer Volume, Parameter: Contamination
Node 2: Hydrogen Bottle and line to the Buffer Volume, Parameter: Effluent / Waste / Residue
Node 4: Buffer Tank, Parameter: Pressure
Node 4: Buffer Tank, Parameter: Operator Action
Node 5: Lines from Buffer Tank to Cryostat, Parameter: Flow
Node 6: Absorber Volume and Condensing Pot, Parameter: Instrumentation
Node 6: Absorber Volume and Condensing Pot, Parameter: Operator Action
Node 6: Absorber Volume and Condensing Pot, Parameter: Structural Failure
Node 6: Absorber Volume and Condensing Pot, Parameter: External Hazards
Node 7: Test Cryostat and Mass Spectrometer Port to Vent and Exhaust Vent, Parameter: Pressure
Node 8: Nitrogen System - Jacket and vent purge, Parameter: Flow
Node 8: Nitrogen System - Jacket and vent purge, Parameter: Impact

10. HAZOP Recommendations
Node 1 (Metal Hydride Storage Unit):
1. Look at pressure of hydride bed "on a hot day" i.e. high ambient temperature MC
(Failure of heater/chiller pump -> Increase of pressure in system)
2. Consider a chiller pump failure alarm for the hydride bed unit MC
(As above)
3. Review consequences of a glycol release (leak) onto plant items from the chiller AJ
(Leak in pipework -> Ehylene glycol dripping onto plant/equipment)
4. Review appropriate methods of crane operating areas to reduce risk of damage
to plant from impact/dropped loads AJ
(Dropped load from crane -> Damage to plant/equipment e.g. ruptured pipework)
5. Consider linking temperature monitor with heater chiller operation to avoid
overheating in the event of thermostat failure MC
(Failure of thermostat in heating unit -> Temperature >30C causing rise in pressure)
6. Consider automation of hydride bed hand valve MC
7. Assess ignition sources around the hydrogen generation unit to reduce possibility
of fire in the MICE hall CN
(External fire in the MICE hall -> Possible flame impingement on metal hydride unit)
8. Review hydride bed operational sequencing for inappropriate actions MC
(Failure of thermostat in cooling unit -> Lower temperature)

11. HAZOP Recommendations (2)
Node 2 (Hydrogen Bottle and Line to the Buffer Volume):
9. Review process for filling hydrogen bed for indication that the bed is full (including
the location of bottles during storage and filling) MC
(Excessive hydrogen delivered to hydride bed -> Higher pressure)
10. Consider back streaming with He during connection to avoid contamination with
air during bottle changes MC
(Failure to purge hydrogen filling line -> Lower pressure)
11. Review access to roof to avoid exposure to vented hydrogen CN
(Emergency venting of hydrogen -> Potential explosive atmosphere at roof level)
Node 4 (Buffer Tank):
12. Consider test mechanism to validate (RV10) seal after discharge of cold
Hydrogen MC/MH
(RV10 operates and discharges cold hydrogen -> Potential to result in failure to reseal)
13. Confirm that control software system conforms with IEC MC
(Operator accidentally opens PV08 via control system -> Air ingress to system)
Node 5 (Lines from Buffer Tank to Cryostat)
14. Identify appropriate procedure in the event of blockage due to condensation of
impurities in buffer tank/cryostat line MC/TB
(Condensation of impurities -> Pressure rise in the absorber volume)

12. HAZOP Recommendations (3)
Node 6 (Absorber Volume and Condensing Pot)
15. Ensure hydrogen sensors on UPS in case of loss of power MC
(Loss of power -> Inability to monitor state of system)
16. Consider the benefits of having all control system on UPS in the case of loss of
power to prove state of system information MC
(As above)
17. Ensure that software intervenes when discrepancies are detected with provision
for limited operator intervention MC
(Operator makes wrong decision -> Cryostat fills with air if, for example, PV25 opened)
18. Consider installation of mass spectrometer (RGA) on PV25 to monitor potential
embrittlement issues MC
(Hydrogen embrittlement issues -> Leak of hydrogen)
19. Assess ignition sources around the cryostat unit (as for Recommendation 7) CN
(External fire on the MICE hall -> Possible flame impingement on cryostat and affect internals)

13. HAZOP Recommendations (4)
Node 7 (Test Cryostat and Mass Spectrometer Port to Vent and Exhaust Vent)
20. Review capability of bursting disc to withstand scenario of RV10 or RV23
pressure surge MH
(Activation of RV10 (from buffer volume) or RV23 (hydride bed) -> Disc bursts and hydrogen ingress into cryostat)
21. Confirm whether bursting disc would create ignition source on activation MH
(As above)
22. Consider the inclusion of a non-return valve downstream of the burst disc to
avoid pressure surge from RV10 or RV23 activation MH
Node 8 (Nitrogen System – Jacket and Vent Purge)
23. Consider installation of flow meter(s) / indication device to alert low/ no flow from
nitrogen bottle around nitrogen jacket circuit MH
(Empty gas bottle -> Air in ventilation line and cryostat jacket)
24. Consider fitting non-return valve to prevent hydrogen flow into nitrogen system
on activation of RV10 or RV MH
(Discharge through RV10 or RV23 -> Hydrogen into nitrogen line)
25. Review need for protection/location of gas bottles to prevent vehicle (or other)
Impacts AJ
(Vehicle impact with cylinder bottle storage -> Potential rupture of cylinder)
Node 9 (Gas Panel)
26. Review methods to minimise condensation on hydrogen pipework AJ
(High moisture content -> Condensation on hydrogen pipework leading to pools of water on floor)

14. After-HAZOP steps What’s next: Get final report from Serco.
Examine HAZOP recommendations (being started)
Implement changes/additions to the system based on HAZOP recommendations
- Decide whether another session of HAZOP is required

15. R&D Hydrogen system status and plans
Hardware:
Implement modifications into the system PID as recommended by HAZOP
Complete the technical specs package for a manufacturer
Get quotations from potential manufacturers and select one
Order the system hardware
( Delivery of hydride bed - last week of June – 1st week of July )
Control system:
Examine HAZOP recommendations and implement them
Complete technical spec
- Develop the system