Chemical Datasheet
HYDROGEN, REFRIGERATED LIQUID (CRYOGENIC LIQUID) |
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Chemical Identifiers
The
Chemical Identifier fields
include common identification numbers, the
NFPA diamond
U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general
description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes
from a variety of
data sources.
CAS Number | UN/NA Number | DOT Hazard Label | USCG CHRIS Code |
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NIOSH Pocket Guide | International Chem Safety Card | ||
none |
NFPA 704
Diamond | Hazard | Value | Description | |||||||||
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3 | Can cause serious or permanent injury. | |||||||||
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4 | Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature. | ||||||||||
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0 | Normally stable, even under fire conditions. | ||||||||||
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(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless very cold liquid shipped in special heavily insulated containers. Boils at -442°F. Contact causes severe frostbite. Hydrogen gas at normal temperatures is lighter than air but until vapors boiling off from the liquid warm up they are heavier than air. Very easily ignited. Burns with a pale blue, almost invisible flame. A leak could be either a vapor or a liquid leak. The container is designed to vent the vapor as it is boils off. Under prolonged exposure to intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket.
Hazards
The
Hazard fields
include
special hazard alerts
air and water
reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and
details about
reactive groups assignments
and
potentially incompatible absorbents.
The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
- Highly Flammable
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Burns with an almost invisible flame. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
If atmosphere does not contain enough oxygen, inhalation can cause dizziness, unconsciousness, or even death. Contact of liquid with eyes or skin causes freezing similar to burn. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Finely divided platinum and some other metals will cause a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to explode at ordinary temperatures. If a jet of hydrogen in air impinges on platinum black the metal surface gets hot enough to ignite the gases, [Mellor 1:325(1946-1947)]. Explosive reactions occur upon ignition of mixtures of nitrogen trifluoride with good reducing agents such as ammonia, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide or methane. Mixtures of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or methane and oxygen difluoride are exploded when a spark is discharged, [Mellor 2, Supp. 1:192(1956)]. An explosion occurred upon heating 1'-pentol and 1''-pentol under hydrogen pressure. It appears that this acetylenic compound under certain conditions suddenly breaks down to form elemental carbon, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide with the release of sufficient energy to develop pressures in excess of 1000 atmospheres, [AIChE Loss Prevention, p1, (1967)]. Contact of very cold liquefied gas with water may result in vigorous or violent boiling of the product and extremely rapid vaporization due to the large temperature differences involved. If the water is hot, there is the possibility that a liquid "superheat" explosion may occur. Pressures may build to dangerous levels if liquid gas contacts water in a closed container, [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
The
Response Recommendation fields
include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for
firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The
information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 115 [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. In fires involving Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) (UN1075), Butane (UN1011), Butylene (UN1012), Isobutylene (UN1055), Propylene (UN1077), Isobutane (UN1969), and Propane (UN1978), also refer to the "BLEVE - Safety Precautions" section. (ERG, 2024)
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. In fires involving Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) (UN1075), Butane (UN1011), Butylene (UN1012), Isobutylene (UN1055), Propylene (UN1077), Isobutane (UN1969), and Propane (UN1978), also refer to the "BLEVE - Safety Precautions" section. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 115 [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966) and Hydrogen and Methane mixture, compressed (UN2034) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray or fog. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972) pool fires, DO NOT USE water. Use dry chemical or high-expansion foam.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)
DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966) and Hydrogen and Methane mixture, compressed (UN2034) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray or fog. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972) pool fires, DO NOT USE water. Use dry chemical or high-expansion foam.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 115 [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972), DO NOT apply water, regular or alcohol-resistant foam directly on spill. Use a high-expansion foam if available to reduce vapors. Prevent spreading of vapors through sewers, ventilation systems and confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. CAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and are likely to break without warning. (ERG, 2024)
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972), DO NOT apply water, regular or alcohol-resistant foam directly on spill. Use a high-expansion foam if available to reduce vapors. Prevent spreading of vapors through sewers, ventilation systems and confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. CAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and are likely to break without warning. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Safety goggles or face shield; insulated gloves and long sleeves; cuffless trousers worn outside boots or over high-top shoes to shed spilled liquid; self-contained breathing apparatus containing air (never use oxygen). (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
The only effect of exposure to liquid hydrogen is that caused by its unusually low temperature and its action as a simple asphyxiant.
INHALATION: if victim is unconscious (due to oxygen deficiency), move him to fresh air and apply resuscitation methods; call physician.
EYES: treat for frostbite.
SKIN: treat for frostbite; soak in lukewarm water; get medical attention if burn is severe. (USCG, 1999)
INHALATION: if victim is unconscious (due to oxygen deficiency), move him to fresh air and apply resuscitation methods; call physician.
EYES: treat for frostbite.
SKIN: treat for frostbite; soak in lukewarm water; get medical attention if burn is severe. (USCG, 1999)
Physical Properties
The
Physical Property fields
include properties such as vapor pressure and
boiling point, as well as explosive limits and
toxic exposure thresholds
The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula: |
|
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
4 %
(USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
75 %
(USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature:
1065°F
(USCG, 1999)
Melting Point:
-434°F
(USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
0.071
at -423.4°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point:
-423°F
at 760 mmHg
(USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight:
2
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
No AEGL information available.ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical | PAC-1 | PAC-2 | PAC-3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hydrogen (1333-74-0) | 65000 ppm ![]() |
230000 ppm ![]() |
400000 ppm ![]() |
LEL = 40000 ppm |

(DOE, 2024)
Regulatory Information
The
Regulatory Information fields
include information from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of
Lists,
the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility
Anti-Terrorism Standards,
and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's
Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List
(see more about these
data sources).
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name | CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ | EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
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Hydrogen | 1333-74-0 | 10000 pounds |
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
RELEASE | THEFT | SABOTAGE | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical of Interest | CAS Number | Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Hydrogen | 1333-74-0 | 1.00 % | 10000 pounds | flammable |
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.Alternate Chemical Names
This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical,
including trade names and synonyms.
- HYDROGEN
- HYDROGEN (LIQUEFIED)
- HYDROGEN, REFRIGERATED LIQUID (CRYOGENIC LIQUID)
- HYDROGEN, [REFRIGERATED LIQUID]
- LIQUID HYDROGEN
- PARA-HYDROGEN