Hydrogen Scavenging process in Generator

Hydrogen gas is used for the cooling of large generators because of its better heat transfer abilities. Hydrogen is explosive in nature when it reacts with air. Hence hydrogen purity is normally maintained about 95 to 99%. If the hydrogen purity falls between 5% to 75%, hydrogen air mixture will result in explosion. Hence care is to be taken to maintain the hydrogen purity in the cooling system of the alternator.

Under maintenance or inspection of the alternator, hydrogen gas has to be removed from the machine. Care must be taken such that hydrogen and air mixture must not lead to any explosion. Hence SCAVENGING process is to be followed to eliminate the explosion.

Carbon-dioxide is admitted in to the alternator removing Hydrogen and followed by air is admitted in to the alternator removing Carbon-dioxide. While filling the hydrogen gas back into the alternator the reverse process has to be followed to avoid any explosion.