Metrology for sustainable hydrogen energy applications

Aim and goal

This project aims at evaluating the probability of hydrogen impurity affecting fuel cells and developing analytical techniques for traceable measurements of the hydrogen impurity (research axes for the revision of the ISO 14687-2 standard). Furthermore, it aims at developing and validating traceable methods to assess accurately the hydrogen mass absorbed and stored in metal hydrides (research axis for the revision of the ISO 16111 standard).

Challenge

It is stated that the hydrogen purity dispensed at hydrogen refuelling points should comply with the technical specifications included in the ISO 14687-2 standard. The rapid progress of the fuel cell electric vehicles and related technology will require revising this standard towards less constraining detection limits. The increased transport and storage activities of hydrogen are requiring the development of new and safe storage techniques for large quantities of hydrogen.

Solution

The probability of impurity presence in hydrogen will be evaluated by hydrogen production process expertise and by traceable measurements of impurities concentration in representative number of hydrogen fuel samples. New speciation methods will be developed for sulphur, halogenated and hydrocarbons species. A determination system for hydrogen mass measurements in hydride tanks will be developed and validated.

Effect

The outputs of the project will have a direct impact on the standardisation works in the relevant working groups of the International and European regulatory bodies ISO/TC 197 “’Hydrogen technologies” and CEN/TC 268/WG 5 “Specific hydrogen technologies applications” with which the consortium has strong connections.