Hydrogen Sensor Workshop

Hydrogen sensors are an enabling technology for the implementation of the hydrogen infrastructure. Recognizing this, in 2007 the Department of Energy sponsored a workshop [1] to review commercial sensor technology, identify sensor applications, and to define target performance metrics as part of their 5 year plan [2].  In 2007, the hydrogen infrastructure was early in its development, and the identified applications were necessarily broad and quite general. Products and near-term markets are now in existence, and the release of commercial hydrogen fuel cell automobiles is projected for 2015 by several OEMs. A hydrogen specific code  for hydrogen power applications is now complete (NFPA 2) and will be issued December 14, 2010. Hydrogen sensor applications can now be more precisely identified. It is necessary to define the performance specifications for identified applications and to assess the ability of current sensor technology is capable of meeting these requirements. This assessment leads to an assignment of the sensor performance criteria defined in 2007. These criteria will be evaluated at the upcoming workshop to determine whether the evolution of hydrogen technology applications requires an updating of the 2007 sensor performance criteria.

• Technology Update (review and revisit the 2007 metrics)
• Safety, Codes and Standards requirements   
• Industry perspectives including production, transport, storage, utilization, and those applications in which hydrogen is viewed as a by-product
• Barriers to sensor deployment
• International Perspectives

 

Goals  

• Review sensor technologies
• Identify Specific Sensor Applications
• Update sensor performance metrics
• Identify Research Areas

 

 

Bibliography

1. For more information on the 2007 Sensor Workshop see

http://www.lanl.gov/orgs/mpa/mpa11/sensors.html

2. For more information on the DOE 5 year plan and goals for hydrogen sensors see: 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/mypp/pdfs/safety.pdf