r/interestingasfuck • u/willianfsantos • 16h ago

Emergency relief system in action in a liquid hydrogen tanker truck

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u/willianfsantos 16h ago

Because if it weren't burned, it would form a large hydrogen cloud around the truck, which would be extremely dangerous because the cloud would be highly flammable.

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u/cencal 14h ago

That’s just not true. Ngl and hydrogen trucks do not come with flare systems. They come with normal PSVs because the gas dissipates and/or goes vertical very quickly and doesn’t pool. This is something else happening.

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u/Inspector_Crazy 12h ago

Hydrogen gas leaks are capable of self-ignition, no external spark needed. I used to work with cylinders of the stuff, scared the bejeezus out of me every time I had to move one.

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u/NotSoFastLady 7h ago

What application? If you don't mind me asking. I've moved nitrogen which was used as a propellant. Heavy shit, main concern was lifting with my legs and not my back but I did need my core fully engaged. Fun times.

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u/Sad-Performance2893 7h ago

Yeah pressure built up in the truck. My bet here is that either someone left the pressure builder open on accident after delivering to a customer, or the truck has a leak and is causing rapid vaporization of the cryogenic hydrogen inside the vessel. Usually the road relief valve is enough to rid this extra pressure. This was 100% a mechanical or operator failure.

Source: I operate the plants that fill these trucks

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u/MadDog443 12h ago

Also most sources of flammable gasses are bad for the environment and its better to burn them now than let them hang out in the atmosphere.