This is the first Lessons Learnt Report from this project to demonstrate the use of renewable hydrogen in the calcination process of alumina refining.
Report extract
The report covers technical learnings on hydrogen production and hydrogen delivery configuration needed for testing hydrogen calcination, project management and market insights, as well as safety and regulation considerations on equipment and standards.
Key lessons learnt
- The hydrogen vent stack, design is an improved design against eater ingress and is therefore recommended for tropical environments with significant rainfalls events
- Grayloc fittings are recommended for hydrogen services as the certified leakage data allows them to be considered as equipment with “zones of negligible extent”.
- Bubbling hydrogen through odorant vessels is recommended to enable detection of hydrogen gas leaks.
- The boil off from liquid nitrogen dewar units can be used to supply nitrogen to purge the vent line and reduce flammability risks.
- Hydrogen pipes can be fully welded with X-rays to confirm seals and mitigate leak risk.
- A key feature of the let-down station is the double regulation placed in series.
- The supply chain for electrolysers and related equipment is still in development phase and required accurate project management.
- The inconsistency between Australian and international electrolyser standards can significantly slow down project implementation.
- Due to the lack of a clear hydrogen installation code, it is recommended to engage a gas advisor early on in the project and throughout the design phase.
- Consequence modelling should be considered when locating hydrogen projects close to existing operations or occupied buildings.
- Outlining a process safety assurance roadmap is recommended during early stages of the execution phase of a project.
- Sea transportation of electrolysers can be strongly affected by the geopolitical situation.
