Hydrogen sensors are an enabling technology for the hydrogen infrastructure.Sensor applications include safety sensors as well as process control sensors required for optimal performance of fuel cells and other hydrogen systems. The importance of hydrogen sensors has been recognized by the DOE as exemplified by the 2007 Hydrogen Sensor Workshop [1], which resulted in the listing of generalized target specifications for 2012, including a range of analytical (e.g., selectivity, range, response time) and logistic (e.g., lifetime, cost) parameters. The design of the NREL Safety Sensor Testing Laboratory (SSTL) was guided by the need for a sensor test system to verify compliance to the DOE specifications and other standards [2]. While the SSTL can quantitatively assess the majority of the analytical and logistic specifications identified by DOE, the existing test apparatus is not capable of providing accurate sensor response time measurements. Owing to a need to respond quickly to adverse situations, the DOE established a target specification of a 1 second response time for hydrogen sensors.

The purpose of this project is for the subcontractor (e.g., the Colorado School of Mines) to build and test an apparatus for the direct response time (and recovery time) measurement of a hydrogen sensor. A CSM graduate student, working at NREL and CSM (advised by Dr. Robert King) shall contribute to this NREL work effort. The work will be performed within the NREL sensor laboratory. This work can build on systems developed previously [2, 3]. Assessment of response time for a variety of sensors will be an important aspect of the project. CFD modeling of the pneumatic profile and diffusion process will be explored to validate the design of the apparatus. The results of the CFD will be compared to measured sensor response times. Mathematical models to deconvolute pneumatic effects from measure response to precisely measure fast sensor response time are not precluded from this work plan.