The Fraunhofer CAP team has developed a laser technology that enables remote detection of hydrogen gas leaks
Researchers based in Glasgow have recently developed a groundbreaking technology with "national level capabilities" that can detect hydrogen leaks at long distances, providing a new means of safety monitoring in high-risk environments.
This technology was developed by the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) team. For a long time, CAP has been closely cooperating with the nuclear industry to jointly address the significant challenges posed by nuclear waste storage. At present, the nuclear industry has a large number of waste storage facilities, and during the storage process, nuclear waste generates hydrogen gas due to chemical reactions or radiation decomposition of water. Hydrogen is a highly flammable gas, and once mixed with oxygen, it may cause combustion or even explosion. Therefore, reliable and remote monitoring of it is of great significance.
The Fraunhofer physicists have created a stand-off laser detection system which can scan large areas inside stores above waste containers, take hydrogen concentration measurements for each one and produce an H2 concentration map. This analysis can be repeated on a regular basis, allowing any changes to be identified and appropriate action taken.
Gas man: Fraunhofer CAP's David Stothard
Stand-off laser detection
The £1.5 M ($2.0 M) project, which has been taking place over seven years, was run by nuclear sector innovation specialists FIS360 Ltd on behalf of Sellafield’s Game Changers innovation program, which funds projects to find solutions for complex problems faced by the nuclear industry. This technology can now be applied more widely as the world moves away from the use of fossil fuels and towards a hydrogen-based economy with net zero targets.
The current focus of Fraunhofer CAP team is on creating a more compact, cheaper, hand-held device which can scan smaller areas. Funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, and led by bp Plc, Fraunhofer CAP is delivering the project which is scheduled for completion in 2029.
Dr David Stothard, who leads the Fraunhofer CAP group specialising in stand-off detection, commented, “The problem with hydrogen is that it’s so easily ignited and burns with a completely clear flame. This means that if there is a leak and it ignites, you could walk right into the fire without knowing it – until it’s too late.
“Given the global pivot when it comes the use of hydrocarbons and the new emphasis on hydrogen, our work is progressing and expanding apace. Hydrogen processing plants, for instance, which convert energy from renewable sources, such as wind and solar power into green hydrogen, and are always on the lookout for leaks, could benefit greatly from our technology.
“What we are doing is developing sophisticated technology using lasers which minimise human interaction with an extremely dangerous gas on which society is becoming more reliant.”
Alex Allen, who leads Sellafield’s technology development for condition, monitoring and inspection, said, “This cutting-edge technology is critical to the Sellafield mission. Monitoring hydrogen enables us to infer how the waste is evolving and confirm it is evolving as predicted. The system allows us to monitor at distances of up to 80m and down to concentration levels as low as 50ppm.
“This is crucial for us as it provides assurance that waste is being stored safely. It could also be applied more widely across our owner the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s other legacy sites, delivering wider group benefit.”
Source: optics.org
