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Webinar 045

Unexpected electrical distribution system incidents involving hydrogen vented from steam methane reformers

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Speaker(s): Ken Wohlgeschaffen

Organisation(s): Chevron

Duration: 50 min

SUMMARY

This presentation reviews two unusual incidents in which hydrogen was being vented in close proximity to high voltage power transmission lines. The vented hydrogen caused visible arcing and a significant corona discharge due to a combination of vented steam, rain, and windy conditions. The through-air faults caused refinery-wide power outages resulting in multiple plant shutdowns and visible flaring. Through rigorous CFD and dispersion modelling, the vent was relocated to a new location. Since then, there have been no further electrical distribution upsets caused by venting of hydrogen from the steam methane reformers. These incidents underscore the importance of rigorously modelling flammable gas vents in order to determine where to safely locate them.

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Recorded in: July 2025
Keywords:
Unexpected incidents / Hydrogen venting / Proximity to high voltage power lines

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