HP March 2022 eBook—Energy Transition - 124

MEASUREMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION
tor/catalytic bead technology, users would need detectors for
each of these 15 gases individually to realize the same results
delivered by one MEMS-based sensor. Finally, the MEMSbased
sensors are not susceptible to poisoning, even when
exposed to high concentrations
of gases and a diverse
range of environmental
conditions.
TABLE 1 shows
the relative performance of
the three main sensor types
for key categories.
The MEMS-based gas
perforsensors'
superior
mance
has been demonstrated
in performance
tests, along with pellistor/
catalytic bead and NDIR
sensors. When detecting
H2
in a controlled environMEMS-based
sensors are the next
The future of hydrogen and the role of sensors. In the
global economy, many countries are focusing on continuous improvement
in health, safety and climate-friendly processes and
practices. The EU has set a target of 2050 to achieve zero CO2
emissions and reduce emissions
by 40% compared to
its 1990 baseline. H2
may be
generation of combustible gas detection
and set a new standard in performance,
reliability, accuracy and value. Not only do
they represent a tremendous leap forward
from NDIR and pellistor/catalytic bead
sensing technology, but they also help
companies realize operational efficiencies.
ment, the MEMS-based
sensor was able to detect
its presence faster and more accurately than the pellistor/
catalytic bead sensor. The MEMS-based sensor detected the
presence of H2
50% lower explosive limit (LEL) within 40 sec. The pellistor/
catalytic bead sensor did not detect H2
and it never reported an accurate LEL; the highest reading it
reported was below 40% LEL. The NDIR sensor did not detect
H2
at all. The MEMS-based sensor also outperformed
both of the older gas detection technologies when detecting
methane and butane (FIG. 2).
MEMS-based gas leak detection sensors are the next generation
of combustible gas detection and set a new standard in
performance, reliability, accuracy and value. Not only do they
represent a tremendous leap forward from NDIR and pellistor/catalytic
bead sensing technology, but they also help companies
maintain a safe work environment, protect the environment
and realize operational efficiencies.
to existing infrastructure. H2
within 12 sec and accurately reported nearly
until 30 sec had lapsed,
the key to achieving these
standards, as it can be used
as a greener alternative for
energy than methane.
Why H2
? The present
focus is on decarbonizing
the gas industry. H2
provides
a solution because
when it combusts, or burns,
the only byproduct it emits
is water. For H2
to be a realistic
and viable alternative,
it must be produced at significant
scale and adapted
can be produced from methane
in large volumes, by two different process methods:
* Steam methane reforming is the most common method
for producing bulk H2
and accounts for most of the
world's production. This process uses a reformer, which
reacts with steam at a high temperature and pressure
with methane and a nickel catalyst to form H2
* Autothermal reforming uses O2
to react with methane to form H2
and CO.
and CO2
or steam
. The downside of
these two methods is that they produce carbon as
a byproduct, so carbon-capture solutions are needed
to trap and store this carbon.
A greener alternative is to use electrolysis, which is available
and O2
. The
with no harmful byproducts.
must be approached safeon
a smaller scale but offers the most significant opportunity.
This process uses electricity to split water into H2
benefit is that it produces pure H2
However, the increased use of H2
ly. 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
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
FIG. 2. MEMS-based sensors can deliver accurate, automatic
measurements for multiple hazardous gases.
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.
H2Tech | Q1 2021 | H2-Tech.com
https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-hydrogen http://www.H2-Tech.com
HP March 2022 eBook—Energy Transition

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