The general consensus for detecting hydrogen is to use catalytic bead gas detection – why? And why not use the popular infrared detectors?
Catalytic bead gas detection is preferred for detecting hydrogen leaks for several reasons:
- High Sensitivity: Catalytic bead sensors are highly sensitive to the presence of combustible gases, including hydrogen. They can detect low levels of hydrogen concentration, which is crucial for early leak detection.
- Response Time: Catalytic bead sensors have a rapid response time, providing real-time detection of hydrogen leaks. This quick response is essential for ensuring prompt action to mitigate potential hazards.
- Wide Detection Range: Catalytic bead sensors can detect a wide range of hydrogen concentrations, from low ppm (parts per million) levels to the upper explosive limit (UEL). This versatility allows for effective monitoring across different operating conditions.
- Robustness: Catalytic bead sensors are robust and durable, suitable for harsh environments typically encountered in industrial settings. They can withstand temperature variations and exposure to contaminants without compromising performance.
- Long-Term Stability: Properly maintained catalytic bead sensors exhibit long-term stability and reliability, providing consistent and accurate detection of hydrogen leaks over time.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Catalytic bead gas detection systems are often cost-effective compared to other detection technologies, making them a practical choice for hydrogen leak monitoring applications.
Overall, the high sensitivity, rapid response time, wide detection range, robustness, long-term stability, and cost-effectiveness of catalytic bead gas detection make it the preferred choice for detecting hydrogen leaks in various industrial settings, including major repair garages.
An alternative to catalytic bead gas detection for hydrogen leaks is infrared (IR) technology. Infrared gas detectors operate based on the principle of absorption of infrared radiation by gases. When a gas molecule absorbs infrared light at specific wavelengths, it causes a change in the intensity of the light reaching the detector, which is then correlated with the concentration of the gas.
However, it’s important to note that traditional IR technology may not be suitable for detecting hydrogen leaks, as hydrogen is transparent to infrared radiation in the typical spectral range used by IR detectors. Therefore, for hydrogen detection, a variant of IR technology called “non-dispersive infrared” (NDIR) is often utilized. NDIR detectors rely on the absorption of infrared light by gases at specific wavelengths, but they require special design considerations to detect hydrogen effectively.
While infrared technology, including NDIR, has its advantages such as immunity to poisons and contaminants and low maintenance requirements, it may not be as sensitive to hydrogen as catalytic bead sensors. Additionally, the initial cost of IR detectors can be higher compared to catalytic bead sensors.
In summary, while infrared technology, particularly NDIR, can be an alternative to catalytic bead gas detection for certain gases, it may not be the most suitable choice for detecting hydrogen leaks in all applications. Catalytic bead sensors remain the preferred option for hydrogen leak detection in many industrial settings due to their high sensitivity and reliability for detecting combustible gases like hydrogen.
As an example of a catalytic bead sensor for use in the hydrogen industry, please see:
https://bit.ly/48cYJf3