A new hydrogen project by PGNiG and the Silesian University of Technology with co-financing from the National Centre for Research and Development
Experts from PGNiG and the Silesian University of Technology are working on an innovative sensor for detecting hydrogen as part of the HydroSens project. The undertaking received funding from the National Centre for Research and Development.
The funding granted by the National Centre for Research and Development relates to the program "Low-temperature hydrogen sensors based on polycarbazole and its derivatives" (HydroSens). The project focuses on the development of sensors for the detection of hydrogen in gas mixtures, including those containing natural gas. These devices will be able to be used, among others for testing hydrogen content in mixtures transported through distribution and transmission networks.
- "As part of the PGNiG Hydrogen Program, we are implementing the InGrid - Power to Gas project. It includes research on the production of hydrogen from RES and the possibility of transmitting this fuel using natural gas distribution networks" - said Arkadiusz Sekściński, Vice President of the PGNiG Management Board for Development. – “The sensors on which we are working with our scientific partner - the Silesian University of Technology as part of HydroSens, will allow us to quickly detect hydrogen in installations. Thanks to this, we will be able to monitor its optimal level for the safety and proper operation of transmission and distribution networks as well as other installations using this fuel" - added Vice President Sekściński.
The innovation of the HydroSens project is the use of polymer semiconductors (so-called conductive polymers) as a material for the production of hydrogen sensors. Currently, chromatographs are used to measure hydrogen in gas networks. However, these devices are expensive and require specialized maintenance. The sensors developed by the consortium of PGNiG and the Silesian University of Technology are to be cheap to produce, reliable and easy to use. In addition to the use of sensors for quick detection of hydrogen in distribution networks, they can also be part of controllers for devices adapted to be supplied with fuels of variable composition, e.g. gas boilers.
- "Existing hydrogen sensors use inorganic semiconductors, the production of which requires numerous energy- and material-consuming unit operations, while the sensors we are developing are made of solutions capable of detecting hydrogen in air and other gases, e.g. in natural gas" – explains Dr Eng. Tomasz Jarosz from the Faculty of Chemistry, head of the project team at the Silesian University of Technology.
The project was submitted by the consortium of PGNiG and the Silesian University of Technology under the European program M-ERA.NET 3 Call 2021. This initiative aims to support research efforts to strengthen the European economy and industry through the use of innovative materials and material technologies. M-ERA.NET 3 involves 50 research funding agencies in 36 countries. The program is also supported by the European Commission.
The Silesian University of Technology is vitally interested in projects related to hydrogen technologies, mainly green hydrogen. This is evidenced by its participation in the Silesian-Lesser Poland Hydrogen Valley, in the Coordination Council for Hydrogen Management appointed by the Minister of Climate and Environment, and cooperation with industry, including PGNiG.
The Head of the team carrying out the project on behalf of the Silesian University of Technology is Dr Eng. Tomasz Jarosz from the Faculty of Chemistry. He manages a team of contractors from his own faculty and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
