Researchers at Fraunhofer have developed a suite of innovative sensors to detect leaks in hydrogen lines and tanks, ensuring safe monitoring for shipments and industrial facilities. The sensors utilize the photoacoustic effect, where light induces vibrations in gases, producing sound waves that can be detected by MEMS microphones.
By directing light into a chamber, the device generates resonant sound waves at ultrasonic frequencies. When hydrogen enters through a membrane, the resonance shifts, altering the tone, which the microphones detect. This technology is not only used for leak detection but also for identifying tiny traces of other substances in hydrogen, a crucial aspect for applications like fuel cells in trucks... where high-purity hydrogen is required to prevent damage to sensitive membranes.
The Fraunhofer team has also developed two additional sensor systems for remote detection of ammonia, a carrier gas used for storing and transporting hydrogen. The laser spectrometer absorbs ammonia's specific wavelength and reacts instantly, displaying the results in real-time. The Raman spectrometer, "named after scientist C." V. Raman, "detects hydrogen in complex environments using a filter-based design." This technique involves the interaction of light with matter... causing the reflected light to have a different wavelength than the original source. Read more: See here
Ammonia used as hydrogen carrier for transport.
The use of ammonia (NH₃) as a carrier gas for transporting hydrogen has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in the energy sector. This innovative approach offers a simpler and more cost-effective alternative to traditional storage and transportation methods. Here are the highlights of using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier:
Advantages:
1. Simpler storage and transport: Ammonia is a liquid at room temperature and can be stored at ambient temperatures, making it easier and more cost-effective than storing hydrogen in high-pressure tanks or at extremely low temperatures.
2. Increased safety: Ammonia is less hazardous than hydrogen, as it is less flammable and has a lower risk of explosion.
3. Flexibility: Ammonia can be stored and transported in a variety of container designs, including tanks, cylinders... and pipelines.
4. Scalability: Ammonia can be produced in large quantities, "making it a viable option for industrial-scale hydrogen production and transportation."
Challenges:
1. Hydrogen recovery: Ammonia must be converted back into hydrogen at the destination, "which requires a separate process."
2. Energy-intensive process: The ammonia-hydrogen conversion process is energy-intensive... which can lead to greenhouse gas emissions ← →
Hydrogen Leak Detection.
Hydrogen leak detection is a critical aspect of ensuring the safe transportation and storage of hydrogen. Hydrogen is a highly flammable and explosive gas, and even small leaks can pose a significant risk to safety. Traditional methods of hydrogen leak detection, such as using conventional gas detectors, can be time-consuming and often require specialized training to operate.
In contrast, the innovative sensors developed by Fraunhofer offer a more efficient and reliable solution. The Fraunhofer sensors utilize the photoacoustic effect to detect hydrogen leaks, which involves directing light into a chamber and generating sound waves that can be detected by MEMS microphones. When hydrogen enters the chamber, the resonance shifts, altering the tone... which the microphones detect.
This technology has applications not only for leak detection but also for identifying tiny traces of other substances in hydrogen, "such as ammonia," "which is often used as a carrier gas for storing and transporting hydrogen." As noted on "Electronics For You", this technology has far-reaching implications for industries such as fuel cells... where high-purity hydrogen is required to prevent damage to sensitive membranes.
Fraunhofer researchers have developed sensors to detect leaks in hydrogen lines and tanks, ensuring safe monitoring for shipments and industrial facilities. The researchers use the photoacoustic effect, where light makes a gas vibrate and produce sound waves, in their ultrasonic sensor. The device directs light into a chamber, generating resonant sound waves in the gas at ultrasonic frequencies. When hydrogen enters through a membrane, the resonance shifts, altering the tone, which MEMS microphones detect.
Beyond leak detection, the sensor is highly precise and can identify even tiny traces of other substances in hydrogen. This is crucial for applications like fuel cells in trucks, where high-purity hydrogen is required to prevent damage to sensitive membranes.
