07 - Systems, Subsystems and Equipment
HYDROGEN SAFETY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LEAK DETECTION SENSORS
O. Petrella¹, A. Martucci¹, P. Caruso¹, L. Travascio¹, A. Vozella¹; ¹CIRA, Italy
Current research worldwide is investigating potentialities, limitations and constraints due to the usage of hydrogen as a energy source. A thorough investigation is needed specially to mitigate risks to the environment and human health related to hydrogen usage. Indeed, hydrogen can be the cause behind various accidents leading to different risk scenarios, due to potential physical and chemical phenomena depending on specific environmental conditions. Some of the main risks can be: asphyxiation, freezing, shock waves from explosions, thermal risks from flame releases and combustion. However, these risks can be reduced by adopting specific mitigations and safety measures which can be identified since the design phase. Careful prevention and a detailed risk assessment, combined with an accurate analysis by monitoring sensors are absolutely necessary for the safe use of hydrogen systems.rnFor this purpose, monitoring sensors can support in managing safety issues of systems dealing with hydrogen usage. This work reports on the analysis carried out on the most suitable sensors for the risk mitigation in particular related to hydrogen leakage.rnThree kinds of sensors have been analyzed and compared, including new generation sensors such as the Surface Plasmonic Resonance (SPR) and the Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensors. In particular the measurement range, the response time and selectivity are compared. Moreover, the uncertainty measurement will be evaluated and compared by means of simulations (MATLAB environment). The lower the measured uncertainty, evaluated by means of the simulations, the better the sensor will be considered. rnrn