[ instrumentation ]
deposits , hydrogen production by electrolysis , gas analysis for determining purity , and monitoring the tightness of the systems and the combustion process .
Let ’ s take a hydrogen-powered truck as an example . Here alone , there must be sensors on the tank , in the engine and passenger compartments , and on the ‘ exhaust ’. Considering the future importance and spread of hydrogen technology , the sensor solutions must be made available in considerable numbers and , consequently , at particularly low cost , as the ‘ small-scale ’ example just mentioned shows .
This is now succeeding , thanks to the development of solutions based on so-called MEMS ( microelectromechanical systems ). The advantages are obvious : the production of MEMS sensors is established and a mass market . Each of us permanently has a dozen of MEMS sensors with us , namely in our cell phones . This shows that the technology enables large quantities with excellent reproducibility . The intelligent use of proven semiconductor technologies based on silicon wafers allows cost-effective mass production in a so-called batch process of exactly identical sensors without time-consuming calibration ( also a cost factor that should not be underestimated ). This form of manufacturing numerous , stable , and compact sensors is tantamount to a true revolution – it can make a significant , perhaps even decisive contribution to the energy transition with the aid of hydrogen . To put this into perspective , around 1,200 sensors can be produced from a silicon wafer measuring 4 inches ( about 10 centimeters )!
Flexible and fast implementation
Due to the small dimensions of the sensors as well as the provision in compact modular units , gas measuring systems can be designed and manufactured to be precisely installed in plants of the most diverse shapes and dimensions . The
TCD-OEM modules can be quickly implemented in customer plants , such as gas chromatographs and synthesis gas plants , without any issues due to the easy handling of the devices . Additionally , individualization options are available , allowing for use in a wide variety of applications , such as hydrogen production by electrolysis , admixture of hydrogen in natural gas ( H 2 in CH 4
), monitoring of the lower and upper explosion limits of hydrogen in fuel cell exhaust gases ( LEL and LEL for H 2 in O 2
/ air ), and input quality control and process gas monitoring for monitoring the gas purity ( for example , hydrogen 5.0 ), to name a few . It is clear that the combination of TCD and MEMS may indeed be the silver bullet in hydrogen measurement , as evidenced by the enormous interest shown by numerous companies from a wide range of industrial sectors even after the first presentation .
About the authors
Illya Kaufman ( left ) and Wladimir Barskyi ( right ) graduated with an M . Sc . in applied physics from RheinMain University of Applied Sciences ( HSRM ) near Frankfurt am Main , Germany . After stints as employees in industry , they jointly founded the company Archigas in 2020 . In close collaboration with experts from the university , they are developing innovative sensor technologies for particularly precise , stable and safe hydrogen measurement . The goal is to offer complicated measurement tasks as a reliable and cost-effective plug-and-play solution . One of their projects for the detection of natural hydrogen deposits is funded by the state of Hesse as part of the LOEWE program – State Offensive for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence .
34 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 11 | August 2023