Hydrogen Leak Detection Sensors for Use in Natural Gas Infrastructure

In coming decades, hydrogen will be produced, stored, transported, and used in vast quantities in new and existing energy and chemical applications. There is general agreement that it can be a safe alternative, however, gaseous hydrogen has unique properties (colorless, odorless, low ignition energy, auto-ignites when leaked at high pressure, invisible flame, etc.) that have caused general concern about safety in widespread use in close proximity to the general public. Current active sensors are expensive and can only be deployed in a limited number, but because hydrogen diffuses so rapidly, leaks often go undetected, and if they are detected by area sensors the exact location is not indicated. Therefore, when an active sensor indicates the presence of a leak but not the location, the plant or system must be shut down which is a costly and time-consuming proposition. The smart integration of new hydrogen leak detection thin film sensing technology and wireless networking for applications at hydrogen piping and components will facilitate early stage leak detection and location before a dangerous situation has formed, providing both higher assurance of system reliability and safety and thus lower costs associated with unplanned failures. In a previous Phase I effort, this concept was proved by the development of prototype thin film sensors which were integrated with existing wireless communications technologies, including wireless networks, near field communications such as cell phones and passive Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID). A Phase I project will complete the thin film sensor development through a program of sensor testing and optimization, and integration with a wireless system followed by field testing. A successful Phase I project will create very low-cost wireless leak detection systems for natural gas infrastructure applications in the gas industry, hydrogen fueled vehicles and related infrastructure and more than a dozen other markets.