H2Tech - Q1 2021 - 40

MEASUREMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION
tor/catalytic bead technology, users would need detectors for
The future of hydrogen and the role of sensors. In the
each of these 15 gases individually to realize the same results
global economy, many countries are focusing on continuous imdelivered by one MEMS-based sensor. Finally, the MEMSprovement in health, safety and climate-friendly processes and
based sensors are not susceptible to poisoning, even when
practices. The EU has set a target of 2050 to achieve zero CO2
exposed to high concentraemissions and reduce emistions of gases and a diverse
sions by 40% compared to
range of environmental
its 1990 baseline. H2 may be
conditions. TABLE 1 shows MEMS-based sensors are the next
the key to achieving these
standards, as it can be used
the relative performance of generation of combustible gas detection
as a greener alternative for
the three main sensor types
and set a new standard in performance,
energy than methane.
for key categories.
Why H2? The present
The MEMS-based gas reliability, accuracy and value. Not only do
sensors' superior perforfocus is on decarbonizing
mance has been demon- they represent a tremendous leap forward
the gas industry. H2 prostrated in performance from NDIR and pellistor/catalytic bead
vides a solution because
tests, along with pellistor/
when it combusts, or burns,
catalytic bead and NDIR sensing technology, but they also help
the only byproduct it emits
sensors. When detecting companies realize operational efficiencies.
is water. For H2 to be a realH2 in a controlled environistic and viable alternative,
it must be produced at sigment, the MEMS-based
nificant scale and adapted
sensor was able to detect
to existing infrastructure. H2 can be produced from methane
its presence faster and more accurately than the pellistor/
catalytic bead sensor. The MEMS-based sensor detected the
in large volumes, by two different process methods:
presence of H2 within 12 sec and accurately reported nearly
* Steam methane reforming is the most common method
for producing bulk H2 and accounts for most of the
50% lower explosive limit (LEL) within 40 sec. The pellistor/
catalytic bead sensor did not detect H2 until 30 sec had lapsed,
world's production. This process uses a reformer, which
reacts with steam at a high temperature and pressure
and it never reported an accurate LEL; the highest reading it
with methane and a nickel catalyst to form H2 and CO.
reported was below 40% LEL. The NDIR sensor did not detect H2 at all. The MEMS-based sensor also outperformed
* Autothermal reforming uses O2 and CO2 or steam
both of the older gas detection technologies when detecting
to react with methane to form H2. The downside of
methane and butane (FIG. 2).
these two methods is that they produce carbon as
a byproduct, so carbon-capture solutions are needed
MEMS-based gas leak detection sensors are the next gento trap and store this carbon.
eration of combustible gas detection and set a new standard in
A greener alternative is to use electrolysis, which is available
performance, reliability, accuracy and value. Not only do they
on a smaller scale but offers the most significant opportunity.
represent a tremendous leap forward from NDIR and pellisThis process uses electricity to split water into H2 and O2. The
tor/catalytic bead sensing technology, but they also help companies maintain a safe work environment, protect the environbenefit is that it produces pure H2 with no harmful byproducts.
ment and realize operational efficiencies.
However, the increased use of H2 must be approached safely. It is a highly flammable gas, and working with it requires
that employees and business owners trust the equipment they
are using to deliver reliable and accurate results every time.
The MEMS-based sensors that are used in molecular property spectrometers represent a leap forward when compared to
their gas detection predecessors. Implementing these sensors
can ensure that companies maintain the highest possible safety
standards and comply with local and national regulations.
LITERATURE CITED
1 International Energy Agency, " The future of hydrogen, " June 2019, online:
https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-hydrogen

FIG. 2. MEMS-based sensors can deliver accurate, automatic
measurements for multiple hazardous gases.

40 Q1 2021 | H2-Tech.com

BEN ROGERS, Director of Engineering, helped launch
NevadaNano in 2004, holds multiple patents in sensor
technology and is the co-inventor of the Molecular Property
Spectrometer. He studied engineering and journalism in college
and later earned an MS degree in mechanical engineering.
Since that time, he has worked as an analyst at a business
accelerator and as a research scientist at various labs, including
the University of Nevada at Reno, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the NASA
Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is the lead author of Nanotechnology:
Understanding Small Systems, the first comprehensive college textbook
on nanotechnology, and also Nanotechnology: The Whole Story.

https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-hydrogen http://www.H2-Tech.com

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