Fiber Optic Sensor for a Hydrogen Economy

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has entered into a CRADA to develop and commercialize NREL’s innovative fiber optic hydrogen sensor technology with Nuclear Filter Technology. In addition to the CRADA, Nuclear Filter is licensing several NREL inventions related to fiber optic and thin film materials that sense the presence of hydrogen gas.

NREL’s fiber optic hydrogen sensor utilizes a non-ignitable, flexible, thin, glass or plastic, fiber optic strand that transmits light to a thin film material that changes color in response to the presence of hydrogen. Many industries rely on the ability to quickly, easily and reliably sense the presence of hydrogen because of the naturally explosive and dangerous nature of hydrogen. Very much like natural gas, it only takes a small amount of hydrogen in the air and a small spark, such as turning on a light switch, to cause it to ignite and explode. So therefore, early detection of hydrogen through NREL’s fiber optic hydrogen sensor is essential to safely handling hydrogen, and ultimately supports the market viability of a hydrogen-based economy.

This technology has applications in industries that use or produce hydrogen including, petrochemical, transportation, fuel cell applications, fuel production, food processing, natural gas, and nuclear waste. These inventions offer advantages over existing technologies in many applications, but have been demonstrated only at a bench scale. This CRADA is allowing NREL to collaborate with Nuclear Filter Technologies to develop a full-scale prototype and ultimately commercially available products.

The hydrogen sensing market is a strong market with potential growth because of a policy market driver to develop a hydrogen-based economy. The development of a hydrogen-based economy is a strategic initiative set forth by the White House and the Advanced Energy
Initiative. Currently the size of the hydrogen market is $800 million, and is estimated to grow to $1.6 billion by 2010.

NREL’s fiber optic hydrogen sensor is essential to safely handling hydrogen.

Ultimately, this technology transfer effort will allow NREL and Nuclear Filter to further develop fiber optic hydrogen sensors to deliver commercially available solutions for nuclear waste packages, automobiles, industrial plants and anywhere else hydrogen may be present. This transfer provides a safer solution for the hydrogen industry, and is cost effective to implement. The inherently safe quality and cost effectiveness of this technology will also help secure Nuclear Filter’s position within the market, and has the opportunity to foster economic growth within the hydrogen industry.