High-Pressure Hydrogen Sulfide Experiments: How Did Our Safety Measures and Hazard Control Work during a Failure Event?

Hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) is a hazardous, colorless, flammable gas with a distinct rotten-egg smell at low concentration. Exposure to a concentration greater than 500 ppm of H<sub>2</sub>S can result in irreversible health problems and death within minutes. Because of...

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Main Authors: Kayode I. Adeniyi, Herman H. Wan, Connor E. Deering, Francis Bernard, Molly A. Chisholm, Robert A. Marriott
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
Series:Safety
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-576X/6/1/15
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author Kayode I. Adeniyi
Herman H. Wan
Connor E. Deering
Francis Bernard
Molly A. Chisholm
Robert A. Marriott
author_facet Kayode I. Adeniyi
Herman H. Wan
Connor E. Deering
Francis Bernard
Molly A. Chisholm
Robert A. Marriott
author_sort Kayode I. Adeniyi
collection DOAJ
description Hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) is a hazardous, colorless, flammable gas with a distinct rotten-egg smell at low concentration. Exposure to a concentration greater than 500 ppm of H<sub>2</sub>S can result in irreversible health problems and death within minutes. Because of these hazards, operations such as oil and gas processing and sewage treatment that handle or produce H<sub>2</sub>S and/or sour gas require effective and well-designed hazard controls, as well as state-of-the-art gas monitoring/detection mechanisms for the safety of workers and the public. Laboratories studying H<sub>2</sub>S for improved understanding must also develop and continually improve upon lab-specific safety standards with unique detection systems. In this study, we discuss various H<sub>2</sub>S detection methods and hazard control strategies. Also, we share our experience regarding a leak that occurred as a result of the failure of a perfluoroelastomer O-ring seal on a small stirred autoclave vessel used for studying H<sub>2</sub>S hydrate dissociation/formation conditions in our laboratory, and discuss how our emergency response plan was activated to mitigate the risk of exposure to the researchers and public.
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spelling doaj.art-bc5947ad0698476b99502b818d119bb32022-12-21T23:42:07ZengMDPI AGSafety2313-576X2020-03-01611510.3390/safety6010015safety6010015High-Pressure Hydrogen Sulfide Experiments: How Did Our Safety Measures and Hazard Control Work during a Failure Event?Kayode I. Adeniyi0Herman H. Wan1Connor E. Deering2Francis Bernard3Molly A. Chisholm4Robert A. Marriott5Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaHydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) is a hazardous, colorless, flammable gas with a distinct rotten-egg smell at low concentration. Exposure to a concentration greater than 500 ppm of H<sub>2</sub>S can result in irreversible health problems and death within minutes. Because of these hazards, operations such as oil and gas processing and sewage treatment that handle or produce H<sub>2</sub>S and/or sour gas require effective and well-designed hazard controls, as well as state-of-the-art gas monitoring/detection mechanisms for the safety of workers and the public. Laboratories studying H<sub>2</sub>S for improved understanding must also develop and continually improve upon lab-specific safety standards with unique detection systems. In this study, we discuss various H<sub>2</sub>S detection methods and hazard control strategies. Also, we share our experience regarding a leak that occurred as a result of the failure of a perfluoroelastomer O-ring seal on a small stirred autoclave vessel used for studying H<sub>2</sub>S hydrate dissociation/formation conditions in our laboratory, and discuss how our emergency response plan was activated to mitigate the risk of exposure to the researchers and public.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-576X/6/1/15hydrogen sulfide hydratesafetysour gas laboratorygas alarmelastomer failurenatural gas flow assurancehigh-pressure research safety
spellingShingle Kayode I. Adeniyi
Herman H. Wan
Connor E. Deering
Francis Bernard
Molly A. Chisholm
Robert A. Marriott
High-Pressure Hydrogen Sulfide Experiments: How Did Our Safety Measures and Hazard Control Work during a Failure Event?
Safety
hydrogen sulfide hydrate
safety
sour gas laboratory
gas alarm
elastomer failure
natural gas flow assurance
high-pressure research safety
title High-Pressure Hydrogen Sulfide Experiments: How Did Our Safety Measures and Hazard Control Work during a Failure Event?
title_full High-Pressure Hydrogen Sulfide Experiments: How Did Our Safety Measures and Hazard Control Work during a Failure Event?
title_fullStr High-Pressure Hydrogen Sulfide Experiments: How Did Our Safety Measures and Hazard Control Work during a Failure Event?
title_full_unstemmed High-Pressure Hydrogen Sulfide Experiments: How Did Our Safety Measures and Hazard Control Work during a Failure Event?
title_short High-Pressure Hydrogen Sulfide Experiments: How Did Our Safety Measures and Hazard Control Work during a Failure Event?
title_sort high pressure hydrogen sulfide experiments how did our safety measures and hazard control work during a failure event
topic hydrogen sulfide hydrate
safety
sour gas laboratory
gas alarm
elastomer failure
natural gas flow assurance
high-pressure research safety
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-576X/6/1/15
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