Development of approaches to regulatory safety in industrial water-electrolysis production of hydrogen at NPPs

Abstract

The article discusses the location of additional electrolysis production of hydrogen at the site of contemporary NPPs as one of the most promising areas in terms of nuclear-hydrogen energy development. The study aims to assess the possibility of applying the requirements of current legal documents to the regulation of hydrogen fire and explosion safety when locating hydrogen electrolysis production complexes at the NPP site. The regulatory documents applicable to the safety regulation in the industrial production of hydrogen at existing NPPs, including the electrolysis, compression, liquefaction, storage, pre-transportation, transportation, and supplying large volumes of product hydrogen to consumers, are analyzed. The limitations of the regulatory legal framework, including in the field of safety for such a location of the hydrogen production are noted, along with the need for its improvement. Recommendations and proposals are formulated to clarify and/or supplement the requirements of documents regulating hydrogen fire and explosion safety for hydrogen electrolysis production complexes at NPPs.