Hydrogen Sensor Laboratory
NREL researchers use the Hydrogen Sensor Laboratory to test the reliability of hydrogen sensors.
Credit: Robert Remick.
NREL's Hydrogen Sensor Laboratory fills an important need for facilitating extensive deployment of hydrogen technologies. Because hydrogen is colorless and odorless, sensors are key safety equipment for fueling stations, stationary fuel cells, and other hydrogen facilities.
Sensors can be used to:
- Detect releases
- Automatically shut down systems
- Activate alarms
- Notify emergency responders.
A number of companies are utilizing several 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 certified products that can meet the needs of each application.
In the Hydrogen Sensor Laboratory, NREL researchers test the various sensors available against Department of Energy performance targets and work with manufacturers to refine their products to meet or exceed those targets.
Tests focus on:
- Sensitivity
- Response time
- Exposure to moisture and temperature extremes
- General reliability over time.
Laboratory equipment includes specially designed test chambers to accommodate multiple sensor types, environmental control systems, gas analysis capability, and data acquisition and control for consistent, repeatable test conditions.
For more information, refer to the Hydrogen Sensor Testing (PDF 363 KB) fact sheet. Download Adobe Reader.
