H2S - Hydrogen Sulphide

H2S Overview

H2S can be found in many jobsites, not just petroleum industry operations. It may accumulate wherever a mixture of hydrocarbons and sulphur are found. Oil and gas fields, tankers and production facilities have the potential to contain significant amounts of the gas.

Besides these locations, there are a variety of organic sources where H2S can be found, including such unlikely spots as ship’s holds, mine shafts, pulp mills, swamps, and sewers. H2S is a natural by-product of organic decay.

All petroleum industry jobsites are potential locations of the gas. In order to predict likely locations of H2S, you first need to be aware of the physical properties of the gas itself. What it’s like and how it behaves provide general clues about potentially hazardous situations. You can use this type of information to avoid exposure, injury and possibly death.

 

Physical Properties

The properties of all gases are usually described in the context of seven major categories:

Hydrogen Sulphide is no exception. Information from all of these categories should be considered in order to provide a fairly complete picture of the physical properties of the gas.

 

Colour

H2S is colourless so it’s invisible. This fact simply means that you can’t rely on your eyes to detect its presence, a fact that makes the gas extremely dangerous to be around.

 

Odour

H2S has a distinctive offensive smell, similar to “rotten eggs”. For this reason it earned its common name, “sour gas”. H2S even in low concentrations is so toxic that it attacks and quickly impairs a victim’s sense of smell, so it could be fatal to rely on your nose as a detection device.

 

Vapour Density

Hydrogen Sulphide is heavier than air so it tends to settle in low lying areas like pits, cellars, or tanks. If you find yourself in a location where H2S is known to exist, protect yourself. Whenever possible, work in an area upwind and keep to higher ground.

 

Explosive Limits

Mixed with the right proportion of air or oxygen, H2S will explode, presenting another alarming element of danger besides poisoning.

 

Flammability

H2S will burn readily with a distinctive blue flame, producing Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), another hazardous gas that irritates the eyes and lungs.

 

Solubility

The gas can be dissolved in liquids, which means that it can be present in any container or vessel used to carry or hold well fluids including oil, water, emulsion and sludge. The solubility of H2S is dependent on temperature and pressure, but if conditions are right, simply agitating a fluid containing H2S may release the gas into the air.

 

Boiling Point

Liquefied H2S boils at a very low temperature so it is usually found as a gas.

 

Summary

These seven physical properties of Hydrogen Sulphide help provide a general profile of the characteristics of the gas. With this kind of information you can make some general predictions about where the gas might be found. This information should help you avoid an H2S exposure.


For further information, please contact us today!

Telephone (+44) 01334 656645
Email: admin@sabreH2S.com


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