Hydrogen detectors are used to protect people from exposure to hydrogen gas and prevent the accumulation of dangerous levels of this flammable compound in an environment. They are a critical tool in safety and environmental monitoring for industrial settings, battery storage centers, and fuel cell technology applications. Hydrogen gas detection systems monitor hydrogen in air by using electrochemical, thermal conductivity, and optical sensors. They also provide a digital display of the hydrogen concentration and relays for remote connection to alarm/monitoring devices or for control of exhaust fans. Read more gasleakdetector.com

Hydrogen gas sensors are available in different technologies depending on the desired application and conditions and limits. Pellistor, or catalytic bead, sensors have a ceramic bead embedded with platinum that reacts to hydrogen and other combustible gases in air by generating heat on the surface of the sensor. This change in resistance of the sensor is measured by electronics and compared against a pre-set limit to indicate if the level of combustible gas is high enough to require action.

Hydrogen Detection Technologies: A Closer Look at Sensing Mechanisms

The most advanced type of hydrogen sensor uses a Palladium (Pd) Schottky diode to detect H2. This technology has the potential to significantly improve hazardous gas safety by detecting incipient leaks at low concentrations that may not be detected with bubble tests or other traditional methods.

A suitable lifetime for a hydrogen sensor should be defined to ensure it can operate in harsh and demanding environments with minimal maintenance, cleaning procedures, and calibration. This includes the ability to withstand the presence of water and other contaminants that can cause corrosion, degrading, or malfunction of the device.