About hydrogen leak detection. Overview of existing devices and investigations on innovative technologies for safety considerations.

Hydrogen is an essential energy vector and it is required to master safety of H₂ energy on the whole value chain including new applications, new environments and new end-users.

Leak detection is one of the key mitigation barriers which avoids catastrophic consequences or limits the severity of hazardous scenarios. In most cases, an unintended release of gaseous or liquid hydrogen could lead to potential dangerous consequences such as fire or explosion. Other reasons for the early detection of hydrogen releases are environmental aspects, reliability of infrastructure, rationalized consumption, energy savings... The experience shows that nowadays there is no universal leak detection system which has high performances in different operation conditions and surrounding environment: detection equipment effective in confined areas can be totally inefficient in free field, in large buildings, in well ventilated spaces... Detection systems have to be smartly chosen and installed in accordance with the targeted application and their environment of use.

This communication shed a light on the main devices/detection techniques usable for hydrogen leak detection, highlighting advantages and drawbacks of such equipment. Emerging technologies will be introduced - as well - through on-the-field investigations aiming at assessing their usability and benefits.