Most modern hydrogen analysis laboratory in Austria opened at HyCentA. Green hydrogen is regarded as a key element in the development of an emission-free energy supply and is one of the supporting pillars of a sustainable society.
The use of hydrogen and the associated technologies offers numerous perspectives – the potential of hydrogen as an energy carrier is enormous. Through the use of fuel cell drives in the field of mobility and the use of hydrogen in industry, a significant contribution to the required CO2savings.
At the same time, the handling of hydrogen from production, storage and transport to refuelling or application places high technical demands. The basic prerequisite for successful technical handling is precise knowledge of the composition of the gas in the individual process steps.
The process-oriented and precise analysis of gas quality is an important success factor: in industrial applications as well as in the use of fuel cell drives, such as in electromobility.
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The newly established gas analysis laboratory “Boltzmann” of the Hydrogen Research Center HyCentA at the Graz University of Technology addresses precisely these requirements and is a core element in the development of high-precision measurement methods for gas quality and mass.
As part of the expansion of the center, the new gas analysis laboratory complements the modern research infrastructure with test rigs for electrolysis, fuel cell systems and high-pressure hydrogen systems up to 1000 bar. TU Graz has significantly supported the expansion of the entire HyCentA test facility by a further 600 square metres in order to further strengthen hydrogen research in Graz. At TU Graz and its research interests such as the HyCentA, around 160 scientists are currently working on safe, climate-friendly hydrogen technologies.
At the heart of the laboratory are the two highly accurate analyzers: the ion-molecule reaction mass spectrometer (IMR-MS) developed especially with the research partner V&F Analyse- und Messtechnik and a Fourier transformation infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The versatile laboratory environment also offers workplaces with cleanroom atmosphere and vacuum equipment for the high-purity preparation of sampling systems.
As part of the UpHy-I research project, the gas analysis laboratory is currently the basis for the development of calibration measurement technology for hydrogen mass and methods for measuring hydrogen quality.
With this mobile measurement technology, for example, calibration at the filling station will be made possible using modern analytical methods in compliance with the highest normative regulations. The current lack of technology for this is one of the main reasons for the sluggish expansion of the H2 infrastructure and a frequent stumbling block in industrial hydrogen handling.
Cooperative research
The gas analysis laboratory was established as part of the cooperative research project”Upscaling of green hydrogen for mobility and industry” (UpHy I) at HyCentA. UpHy I is a research project funded by the Climate and Energy Fund and carried out within the framework of the “Flagship Region Energy” WIVA P&G programme.
Emission-free mobility is thus getting a step closer again: The overall cooperative project includes the planning and implementation of the value chain for green hydrogen on an industrial scale, from production and distribution to use in transport and industry.
To this end, the development of green hydrogen production and hydrogen distribution as well as the required calibration measurement technology for the hydrogen mass and quality emitted to hydrogen filling stations is being promoted.
By integrating the project contents into the hydrogen initiative WIVA P&G, the project contributes to the positioning of Austria as a model region in the field of hydrogen technologies and green gases and is in constant contact with relevant stakeholders and corporate partners. This generates a supra-regional transfer of know-how.
UpHy I is a research project funded by the Climate and Energy Fund and carried out within the framework of the “Flagship Region Energy” WIVA P&G programme. Project partners are OMV Refining & Marketing GmbH (consortium leader), HyCentA Research GmbH, VERBUND Energy4Business GmbH, V&F Analyse- und Messtechnik GmbH, Energieinstitut an der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz and verein WIVA P&G – Wasserstoffinitiative Vorzeigeregion Austria Power & Gas.
Facts and figures:
- Ion-Molecule Reaction Mass Spectrometer (IMR-MS)
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR)
- Cleanroom equipment
- Vacuum
- Sampling systems
- State-of-the-art safety and ventilation standards
AUSTRIA’S MOST MODERN HYDROGEN ANALYSIS LABORATORY OPENED AT HYCENTA, July 5, 2021
