Tech Talk - Science and Safety of Ammonia in the Energy Transition - MSA Safety - Hyfindr Samways

In this episode of Hyfindr Tech Talks, we explore the importance of ammonia and the need for its safe use with Jack Samways, an engineer passionate about advancing innovation and safety in the rapidly evolving hydrogen and renewable energy sectors. We discuss the fundamentals of ammonia, its traditional and emerging green applications, and its pivotal role in decarbonizing industries such as shipping. Jack explains how green ammonia is produced using renewable energy sources and highlights the safety measures essential for responsible handling. Viewers will also gain insight into the layered gas and flame detection technologies used to help ensure safety in ammonia-related industries. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of sustainable ammonia use. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:44 Welcome, Jack Samways 01:33 Production Processes of Ammonia 02:07 Green vs Traditional Ammonia 03:18 Transporting and Storing Ammonia 08:07 Safety and Detection of Ammonia Leaks 12:48 Advanced Ammonia Detection Technologies 17:36 Understanding Gas Detection Sensors 19:00 Laser Open Path Gas Detectors and Their Functionality 19:28 Measuring Gas Concentration with Open Path Detectors 26:01 Introduction to UV/IR Flame Detectors 28:21 Simulation of Gas Leak Detection 32:48 Future of Safety in Ammonia and Hydrogen Applications Interview Partner: Jack Samways (MSA Safety) Extensive Summary: In this Episode of Hyfindr Tech Talks we center on ammonia’s major role in modern industry and its growing importance in the clean energy transition, with a strong emphasis on safety. Jack Samways, an engineer specializing in hydrogen and ammonia sensors at MSA Safety, explains that ammonia is a simple nitrogen–hydrogen compound yet essential to global life. About 80% of it goes into fertilizer manufacturing, enabling today’s agricultural output, while the remaining 20% is used in pharmaceuticals, polymers, and refrigeration. Traditional ammonia production via steam methane reforming to generate hydrogen, followed by Haber–Bosch process is highly carbon-intensive and responsible for roughly 1.8% of global CO₂ emissions. This drives the shift toward “green ammonia,” made with renewable hydrogen from electrolyzers. Ammonia is also gaining attention as an energy carrier: it is far easier to liquefy and transport than hydrogen and can be “cracked” back into hydrogen at the destination. Because global ammonia infrastructure already exists - pipelines, terminals, and shipping - many industries, especially maritime transport, are exploring ammonia as a clean fuel or energy source. A key part of the conversation compares hydrogen and ammonia from a safety perspective. Hydrogen is non-toxic but highly flammable with a wide ignition range, whereas ammonia is much less flammable but highly toxic even at low concentrations, with workplace limits around 20–25 ppm. These different risks demand robust gas leak monitoring and detection. Jack presents a layered detection strategy approach that mimics human senses, with “hearing,” “smelling,” and “seeing” gas hazards. The ultrasonic detector listens for the high-frequency ultrasound of pressurized leaks and works reliably outdoors regardless of wind causing gas cloud dispersion or migration. Point detectors “smell” gas directly: catalytic bead sensors measure explosive concentrations (%LEL), while electrochemical sensors detect low-level toxic concentrations in ppm. An open-path laser based gas detector monitors large areas by measuring how ammonia gas cloud absorbs specific wavelengths along a laser beam. Completing the system is a UV/IR flame detector that recognizes the radiation signatures of hydrogen or ammonia flames while filtering out other sources of radiation. A plant simulation demonstrates how these technologies work together, why multiple sensors are needed to avoid false alarms, and how wind can affect gas dispersion, highlighting the value of ultrasonic gas leak detection as a first line of defense. Topics discussed in this episode: hydrogen energy, clean energy, renewable energy, energy transition, decarbonization, net zero, green fuels, future of energy, sustainable energy, climate change solutions, carbon neutral fuels, clean fuel technology, hydrogen economy, ammonia fuel, green ammonia, ammonia energy, hydrogen storage, ammonia production, renewable hydrogen, fuel cell technology, ammonia as fuel, hydrogen safety, ammonia safety, MSA safety, gas detection technology, industrial gas detectors, ultrasonic gas detection, laser-based open path detection, UVIR flame detection, ammonia leak detection, ammonia handling safety, hydrogen industry, clean shipping, ammonia shipping fuel, maritime decarbonization, green shipping, energy storage solutions, sustainable fuels, hyfindr tech talks, Steven Hyfindr, Jack Samways MSA, hydrogen and ammonia discussion, hydrogen experts interview, clean energy podcast, energy tech interview