As the world looks to decarbonize energy sources, hydrogen is gaining increasing attention as a clean energy alternative. However, introducing hydrogen into the energy mix poses engineering challenges all along the supply chain—from prospecting, drilling, production, refinement, and distribution, all the way to point of use. While generally acknowledged as a more climate-friendly alternative than methane if done right and if certain conditions are met, researchers are interested in quantifying secondary greenhouse gas effects of fugitive hydrogen emissions and operational releases, as hydrogen can extend the lifetime of greenhouse gas methane in the earth’s atmosphere.
Researchers at West Virginia University’s Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering & Mineral Resources have studied the production, distribution, and use of traditional and alternative fuels. The introduction of hydrogen as a component of the energy supply chain requires that hydrogen detection and measurement technologies mature alongside the industry.
Dr. Derek Johnson, a professor at WVU, brings expertise in quantifying methane emissions to the field of hydrogen emissions as part of a series of studies coordinated by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). WVU is partnering with Transport Energy Strategies (TES) to assess hydrogen emissions from the burgeoning transportation sector. At the heart of these leak quantification systems are sensors or analyzers that measure hydrogen concentration.
“We are examining a number of hydrogen sensor technologies in this evaluation, and we are pleased to have LI-COR’s LI-7835 laser spectroscopy analyzer available for the comparisons,” said Johnson. “We appreciate the dynamic range that laser spectroscopy enables, opening the possibility to use a single hydrogen sensor over 3-orders of magnitude variation in concentration.”
LI-COR’s new LI-7835 Hydrogen Analyzer is based on a variant of tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) known as optical feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (OF-CEAS). Laser light at specific wavelengths is absorbed by hydrogen, and the amount of light absorbed can be measured and correlated to the hydrogen concentration. Because hydrogen absorbs light only at very specific wavelengths, the analyzer is uniquely specific to hydrogen.
Sensors that rely on physical properties like thermal conductivity sensors can be confounded by non-hydrogen species with similar physical properties. The LI-7835, however, measures hydrogen directly, without the need to convert hydrogen electrochemically or catalytically.
“As the hydrogen economy begins to unfold, the industry will benefit from a range of sensing solutions. LI-COR’s LI-7835 Hydrogen Analyzer provides specificity, rapid response, and dynamic range advantages unique in the market today,” said Dr. Siqin He, Product Manager & Senior Scientist at LI-COR. “We are honored to participate in the WVU evaluation and see how our analyzer technology can be integrated into quantitative emission measurement systems.”
Dr. Johnson reports, “So far, we have integrated the LI-7835 into our system to quantify leaks and losses from hydrogen refueling stations (the H2FFS system) and our system to quantify exhaust emissions from fuel cell vehicles (the H2PEMS system). The systems have been deployed in the field to assess emissions from multiple fuel cell transit buses. The analyzer shows promise, and we have been able to provide rapid feedback on system performance to LI-COR on areas for future improvements as part of this collaborative and first-of-its-kind effort.”
For further information, contact:
LI-COR: envsales@licor.com
West Virginia University: paige.nesbit@mail.wvu.edu
Research Expert: derek.johnson@mail.wvu.edu