In the area of hydrogen safety, research facilities are essential for the experimental investigation of relevant phenomena, for testing devices and safety concepts, as well as for the generation of validation data for the various numerical codes and models. Within the framework of the European HySafe Network of Excellence (NoE), the 'Integration of Experimental Facilities (IEF)' activity has provided basic support for joint experimental work. Even beyond the funding period of the HySafe NoE in the 6th Framework Program, IEF represents a long-lasting effort for the sustainable integration of experimental research capacities and expertise of the partners from different research fields. In order to achieve a high standard in the quality of experimental data provided by the partners, emphasis was put on the know-how transfer between the partners. On the one hand, documentation on the experimental capacities was prepared and analyzed. On the other hand, a wiki-based communication platform was established, supported by biannual workshops covering topics ranging from measurement technologies to safety issues. Based on the partners' contributions, a working document was created on best practice including the joint experimental knowledge of all partners with regard to experimental set-ups and instrumentation. The paper gives an overview of the IEF partners and the network activities over the last five years.
The use of hydrogen sensors can be categorized into three types
of application:
- Safety monitoring
- Leak detection
- Process control
When applied in one of these areas hydrogen sensors fulfill the
following tasks:
- Indicate a hazardous condition
- Provide warnings or alarms for out-of-limits conditions
- Monitor and control System Operation
- Provide performance data
Gas sensors are applied for facilitating the safe use of hydrogen in, for example, fuel cell and hydrogen fuelled vehicles. New sensor developments, aimed at meeting the increasingly stringent performance requirements in emerging applications, are reviewed. The strategy of combining different detection principles, i.e. sensors based on electrochemical cells, semiconductors or field effects in combination with thermal conductivity sensing or catalytic combustion elements, in one new measuring system is reported. This extends the dynamic measuring range of the sensor while improving sensor reliability to achieve higher safety integrity through diverse redundancy. The application of new nanoscaled materials, nanowires, carbon tubes and graphene as well as the improvements in electronic components and optical elements are evaluated in view of key operating parameters such as measuring range, sensor response time and low working temperature.