India Implements Stricter Gas Cylinder Rules to Embrace Hydrogen Technology Advancements
Key Ideas
- The Gas Cylinders (Amendment) Rules, 2025, in India focus on enhancing safety and incorporating advancements in gas technology, especially pertaining to hydrogen.
- Stricter standards are introduced for aspects like valve specifications, safety relief devices, bar code markings, cylinder testing, and electrical installations at gas facilities.
- The regulations emphasize the growing importance of hydrogen as an energy source, with specific requirements for compressed hydrogen gas cylinders and infrastructure, aiming to ensure safety and promote accountability.
- The amendments align with international standards and highlight the government's commitment to promoting safety measures while paving the way for the wider adoption of cleaner fuels like hydrogen.
The Government of India has recently notified the Gas Cylinders (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which come into effect from April 11, 2025. These amendments are designed to enhance safety measures and incorporate advancements in gas technology, particularly focusing on hydrogen. The new rules introduce stricter standards for various aspects of gas cylinders, emphasizing the importance of safety and accountability.
The key amendments include the explicit inclusion of standards and specifications for compressed hydrogen gas cylinders from the Compressed Gas Association, ensuring compliance with specific codes to prevent accidents. Additionally, valves on carbon dioxide cylinders must now adhere to relevant codes, including safety relief devices with specific pressure parameters to enhance safety.
Furthermore, cylinders used for compressed hydrogen gas need to meet specific standards for manufacturing and maintenance of safety features. A mandatory requirement for permanent and tamper-proof bar code marking on cylinders is introduced to improve tracking and accountability. The regulations also specify the types of cylinders approved for filling and dispensing various gases like auto-LPG, LNG, and compressed biogas.
The focus on safety extends to electrical installations in premises dealing with flammable gases, with guidelines for equi-potential bonding and grounding. The rules also outline requirements for identifying information on cascades fitted with cylinders and introduce periodic testing for compressed biogas and natural gas cylinders.
The amendments align with international standards, showcasing the government's dedication to promoting safety in gas handling, especially concerning hydrogen as a clean fuel. The regulations set the groundwork for the wider adoption of hydrogen by establishing specific infrastructure requirements. The introduction of a barcoding system is expected to enhance accountability and facilitate efficient tracking of gas cylinders, further contributing to the safety and security of gas handling in India.