In this tech talk, Steven had the pleasure of discussing Hydrogen Moisture Transmitters and Binary Gas Analyzers with Aleksandar Trajanovski from Panametrics, a Baker Hughes business.
Learn about Hydrogen Moisture Transmitters and Binary Gas Analyzers
Steven Oji and Aleksandar Trajanovski discuss the importance of gas purity and moisture in the hydrogen economy. Three products for the hydrogen economy are discussed; a binary gas analyzer, a moisture transmitter, and an oxygen analyzer. Aleksandar explains how these products help to improve process efficiency and product quality. The importance of using a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) in electrolysis to prevent gas leakage and crossover, which could be explosive. Measurement of gas purity using thermal conductivity and the difference between different grades of hydrogen is also discussed in this Tech Talk. Finally, the technology behind the measurement cell and how stable and reliable technology is important in continuous measurement is demonstrated.
To prevent a crossover of gases, which can result in an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, the binary gas analyzer is used to measure the percent-level concentrations of one gas in other gases. The moisture transmitter and oxygen analyzer measure gas purity to ensure the final product meets specific specifications. The moisture transmitter measures very low moisture content, which is one of the impurities allowed up to a certain concentration. Meanwhile, the oxygen analyzer measures oxygen concentrations in different ranges and gases. By measuring oxygen in the hydrogen output before the dryer, specifications can be set up to achieve the final product quality. The binary gas analyzer is used to ensure the impurities, including moisture and oxygen, are within the allowed concentration levels.
The binary gas analyzer uses thermal conductivity to measure gas content. The measurement cell contains a reference chamber that is closed and a flow-through chamber that allows gas to pass through. Inside the flow-through chamber are two heating elements, and if the gas contains higher thermal conductivity than the gas in the reference chamber, one of the heating elements will absorb more heat, and the other heating element will absorb less heat. This difference is measured and converted to gas concentration.
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Steven is a fuel cell system designer and he will deep-dive into the technology that makes the hydrogen economy work with real experts. We hope you will like the new format.