Safety Sensor Testing Laboratory
NREL researchers use the Safety Sensor Testing Laboratory to test the reliability of hydrogen sensors.
Credit: Angela Costanzo.
The Safety Sensor Testing Laboratory at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) aims to ensure that hydrogen sensor technology is available to meet end-user needs and to foster the proper use of sensors. Hydrogen sensors are an important enabling technology for the safe implementation of the emerging hydrogen infrastructure. Codes require hydrogen detectors (e.g., NFPA 2—Hydrogen Technologies Code), but currently provide little guidance on deployment. In support of NREL Safety Codes and Standards Projects, the Safety Sensor Testing Laboratory strives to fill the gap between code requirements and end-user needs.
Hydrogen safety sensors can be used to:
- Detect releases
- Automatically shut down systems
- Activate alarms and ventilation systems
- Notify emergency responders.
Manufacturers utilize different technologies to make sensors, resulting in a wide range of operating characteristics. When installing sensors, it is important to understand these operating characteristics and to have products validated to meet the needs of each application. NREL's Safety Sensor Testing Laboratory offers evaluation services to all stakeholders in the hydrogen community and provides an unbiased interface between sensor providers (manufacturers, vendors, and developers) and end-users.
Role of the NREL Safety Sensor Testing Laboratory
Work in the laboratory addresses the safety sensor needs of the hydrogen community, with a focus on the following:
- Independent assessments of hydrogen safety sensor performance for national and international standards, Department of Energy (DOE) targets, as well as to specific client requirements; standardized but adaptable test protocols have been developed
- Ongoing "around-the-clock" sensor performance testing (with remote access)
- Fully automated test apparatus, with controlled and monitored environmental parameters (temperature, pressure, and relative humidity) and gas parameters (flow and composition)
- Quantitative sensor performance assessment
- Interaction with manufacturers to improve sensor performance to meet DOE targets
- Available for both commercially mature and developing technologies
- Test data for specific manufacturers and developers are treated as proprietary; although test data may be used in publications, presentations, and outreach activities, specific vendors are not identified
- Expert advice on sensor performance and testing capabilities for specific applications
- Available as a facility for contract work
- Provide sensor evaluation services to assist end-users on sensor selection and use
- Assist developers in quantitative assessment of emerging technology performance
- Provide manufactures with a cost-effective resource for assessing products to national and international specifications
- Participation in standard-developing organizations
- Underwriters Laboratories — UL2075 Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors
- International Organization for Standardization — ISO 26142 Hydrogen Detection Apparatus for Stationary Applications
- National Fire Protection Association — NFPA 2 Hydrogen Technologies Code
- Collaborations with hydrogen community stakeholders, including government facilities, private sector organizations, and academic institutions
- Active participation on panels relevant to hydrogen safety and sensors
- Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association, including participation in the working groups for hydrogen sensors, transportation, forklifts, and other areas
- International Energy Association, Task 31 Safety
- Hydrogen Incident Reporting and Lessons Learned
- Topical studies to guide the use of hydrogen sensors.
Major Highlights and Accomplishments
The laboratory fosters the deployment of sensor technology via the following avenues:
- Implementation of its fully automated sensor testing apparatus
- Sensor Interlaboratory Comparison (SINTERCOM) Project — an international collaboration with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre to validate sensor performance
- DOE/NREL Sensor Workshop — workshop revisited and refined sensor performance metrics by application
- Open dissemination of results via official NREL reports, conference papers, and journal articles—most of which are available in the NREL Publications Database—as well as outreach activities such as stakeholder collaborations. A sampling of publications and presentations are provided below.
NOTE: NREL Safety Sensor Testing Laboratory policy dictates that test results are treated as proprietary and are not shared with other manufacturers or other entities without permission. To aid the hydrogen community, however, test data may be used by NREL in publically available documents (i.e., journal articles, technical reports, and presentations) and during outreach activities, but the data will not be attributed to a specific vendor or client.
Publications and Presentations
The NREL Publications Database offers a variety of documents related to hydrogen safety sensors that were written or edited by NREL staff. The following selection provides a sampling of journal articles, technical reports, conference papers, and presentations on NREL's hydrogen safety sensor testing and research activities.
Standard Hydrogen Test Protocols for the NREL Sensor Testing Laboratory
Publication Type: Brochure
Authors: J. Buttner, M. Post, R. Burgess, C. Rivkin
Publication Date: December 2011
An Overview of Hydrogen Safety Sensors and Requirements
Publication Type: Journal article (International Journal of Hydrogen Energy)
Authors: W. J. Buttner, M. B. Post, R. Burgess, C. Rivkin
Publication Date: February 2011
Interim Report of the SINTERCOM Project
Publication Type: Technical report (published by the Joint Research Centre's Institute for Energy)
Authors: G. Black, L. Boon-Brett, F. Harskamp, P. Moretto, W. J. Buttner, M. B. Post, R. Burgess, C. Rivkin
Publication Date: 2011
Round Robin Testing of Commercial Hydrogen Sensor Performance – Observations and Results
Publication Type: Conference paper (2010 National Hydrogen Association Conference and Expo)
Authors: W. B. Buttner, R. Burgess, C. Rivkin, M. B. Post, L. Boon-Brett, G. Black, F. Harskamp, P. Moretto
Publication Date: May 2010
A National Set of Hydrogen Codes and Standards for the United States
Publication Type: Conference presentation (3rd International Conference on Hydrogen Safety)
Authors: C. Rivkin, C. Blake, W. J. Buttner, M. Post, and R. Burgess
Publication Date: September 2009
Buoyancy-Driven Ventilation of Hydrogen from Buildings: Laboratory Test and Model Validation
Publication Type: Journal article (International Journal of Hydrogen Energy)
Authors: C. D. Barley, K. Gawlik
Publication Date: July 2009
Hydrogen Safety Sensors
Publication Type: Conference presentation (2009 DOE Annual Merit Review)
Authors: R. Burgess, W. Buttner, M. Post
Publication Date: May 2009
Test Protocol Document, Hydrogen Safety Sensor Testing (Phase I: Non-Flammable Mixtures)
Publication Type: Technical report
Authors: R. Burgess, C. Blake, C. E. Tracy
Publication Date: September 2008
Analysis of Buoyancy-Driven Ventilation of Hydrogen from Buildings
Publication Type: Conference paper (2nd International Conference on Hydrogen Safety)
Authors: C. D. Barley, K. Gawlik, J. Ohi, R. Hewett
Publication Date: August 2007
Analysis of Buoyancy-Driven Ventilation of Hydrogen from Buildings
Publication Type: Conference presentation (2nd International Conference on Hydrogen Safety)
Authors: C. D. Barley, K. Gawlik, J. Ohi, R. Hewett
Publication Date: August 2007
More Information
For more information about NREL's Safety Sensor Laboratory, refer to the hydrogen sensor testing
fact sheet or contact William Buttner at (303) 275-3903 or Robert Burgess at (303) 275-3823.
For information about NREL's Safety Codes and Standards Program, contact Carl Rivkin at (303) 275-3839.
