What are the potential safety hazards at methanol-to-hydrogen production facilities?

1.3 Hazard Analysis: Methanol and hydrogen production plants use acetylene off-gases as raw materials; their production processes are complex and involve numerous hazard points, with the main ones being the methanol storage area and the distillation towers. The storage media in the methanol tank area are pure methanol with a purity of 99.99% and crude methanol with a purity of about 86%. Methanol is a substance with Class A fire hazard. It has properties such as being flammable, explosive, and prone to spreading. Relative density: 0.7924 (liquid), 1.11 (gas); autoignition temperature: 455°C; flash point: <7°C; explosion limit: 6–36.5%. When mixed with air, it can form an explosive mixture, posing a risk of combustion and explosion in the presence of open flames or high heat. Its vapor is heavier than air, allowing it to spread over considerable distances at lower levels; it can catch fire and reignite when exposed to an open flame. When exposed to high temperatures, the pressure inside the container increases, posing a risk of cracking and explosion. Methanol is highly toxic. It is toxic to the nervous system and vascular system. Methanol vapor irritates the mucous membranes of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and it has a specific effect on the optic nerve and retina, causing the retina to become starved of nutrients and die. The toxic effects of methanol can occur through the respiratory organs, the skin, and especially when inhaled into the body. The maximum allowable concentration of methanol vapor in air is 50 mg/m3. Ingesting a small amount of methanol (5–15 ml) by mistake can cause severe poisoning and lead to blindness. Ingesting large amounts can lead to death. Poisoning causes gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, pressure on the central nervous system, tremors in the limbs, weak heart function, nausea, vomiting, extreme difficulty breathing, convulsions, and an increasingly weak pulse. Chronic long-term poisoning is characterized by dizziness, visual disturbances, headaches, insomnia, easy fatigue, and decreased vision. During operation, leaks may occur due to equipment wear and aging, corrosion, and other factors. Leaks in the methanol storage area and distillation towers can have a severe impact on the water quality of the surrounding environment; this is primarily manifested by accidental ingestion of water containing methanol, leading to poisoning, blindness, and even death. Methanol production involves a large amount of flammable and combustible substances such as CO and H2. A leak or fire involving these substances can lead to combustion and explosions in the methanol storage areas and distillation towers, thereby igniting the methanol liquid and generating large amounts of methanol vapor. The scope of harm is wide, and it can result in poisoning, blindness, and death. An explosion in the tank area can cause severe damage to surrounding equipment and facilities, and may even result in casualties. In the event of a leak, combustion, or explosion in the methanol storage area, the upstream and downstream facilities as well as adjacent facilities must take appropriate actions as required, and personnel in the area should evacuate accordingly.