Protection series – How dangerous is H2S?

What is Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)?

Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas that can be emitted during the drilling or extraction of natural gas. In petrochemical plants, oil & gas production, and wastewater treatment facilities, there is a potential for gas exposure accidents.

In brief, Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is:

• Colorless with overpowering odor likened to rotten eggs
• Flammable
• Highly reactive
• Corrosive agent
• It can be life-threatening
• It can be highly explosive

Moreover, Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and therefore found in low-lying areas. Altogether, H₂S is extremely poisonous and considered highly toxic to human health. This is because H₂S akin to carbon monoxide (CO) prevents cellular respiration. Thus people also die immediately at concentrations over 1000 ppm.

For that reason, H2S  is considered one of the most dangerous gases.

What are the long-term effects of exposure to hydrogen sulfide on a worker’s health?

Prolonged inhalation of H2S gas can cause serious injury to a person’s central nervous system. At high concentrations, a person can suffer unconsciousness, coma, seizures, and even death. Short-term exposures to H2S gas can cause headaches, nausea, and irritation to the eyes and skin.

Learn more: Hydrogen Sulfide hazards

UNITEAM Gas Safe Shelters:

• Can be designed to handle H2S concentrations over 25 000 ppm
• A-60 fire-rating
• Blast-protected
• The sealing between the containers is solved by Uniteam patented GSSP gaskets which allow for fast deployment of SIP on site, with minimum downtime of the ongoing
• Already built SIPs for 30 up to 750 people
• Protection against nuclear contaminants
• Protection against biological and chemical agents (NBC protection)

Uniteam H2S Shelters provide a safe haven for personnel to take refuge in the event of a major H2S and CH4 release. People can stay in the shelter for a minimum of 2 hours, waiting for rescue. Moreover, engineers can handle such an emergency in their operating room. When needed, they can put on personal respirators and stop the emission outdoors.

In situations with extreme levels of H2S and highly explosive hydrocarbon gases, filters on the intake air are not enough. In such situations, air intake is automatically closed and the HVAC system is set in a recirculation mode. Air is then taken through CO2 filters in addition to the H2S filters.

In addition to this, a bottle bank with stored air supplies the gas safe shelter with additional air in order to keep overpressure.

Learn more: H2S Shelters

Protection both offshore and onshore 

Uniteam has for years designed and built gas safe systems for clients around the world. The H2S Shelters, which are patented by Uniteam, are supplied as mobile or stationary shelters for use both offshore or onshore.

The complete package of H2S Shelter in Place (SIP) and HVAC equipment can be delivered and installed in a modular building at the Gas Plant.

Do you want to know more about our gas safe shelters? Don’t hesitate to contact us!