Hydrogen leakage measurement device based on a wireless sensor network.

1. 0. Keywords
Sensors, microsystems, and embedded systems.
1. Abstract
Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are made up of many small and low-cost network
elements unifying nearly all design disciplines into one package: ultra-low power radios,
MEMS-based sensing technology, energy-aware communication protocols running on low-
power embedded controllers, among others. Within MEMS-based gas sensing discipline,
the solid-state gas sensors offer the most suitable concept for the mobile systems. The
goal of this project is to develop a hydrogen leakage measurement device based on a
wireless sensor network.
2. Project description
Development of a measurement device based on a wireless sensor network to detect
possible hydrogen leaks in engines whose operating principle is based on the combustion
of hydrogen with oxygen. As a consequence of the change in state from liquid to gas, the
temperature gradients are very steep, as is the risk of leakage. This is also due to this
chemical element’s small molecular size. Among its other specifications, it is a highly
inflammable fuel, with a combustion range of 4%-75% and a high diffusion coefficient of
0.61 cm2
/s in air. In addition, the project will address the recording of the local
concentration of hydrogen in the different parts of the engine that are monitored by the
sensors.
3. Aerospace, the target industry
The product’s field of application will be the aerospace industry [Hunter et al. 98]. Spain is
set to invest 3.724 billion euros in the industry according to the figures presented in the
review of the Strategic Plan for the Aeronautics Sector (PESA, in its Spanish acronym)
[CDTI 13]. In 2011, the sum allocated was 727 million euros, the same as the prior year,
with a figure of 741 million euros in 2012. The amount to be invested over the ensuing
years would amount to 764 million euros in 2013 and 765 million euros in 2014.
Spain’s aerospace business is the fifth largest in Europe, and it is well positioned
worldwide [Arif 10] in terms of its industrial capability, covering the entire value chain. The
overall turnover in the aerospace industry in 2009 amounted to 4.526 billion euros,
accounting for around 0.5% of the country’s GDP. The most important contribution was
made by aircraft and systems, with 70% of the total, while engines accounted for 11%, and
equipment for 10%, with space cornering around 9%.
Although the product is to be applied to combustion engines running on hydrogen with
oxygen, as used in the aerospace industry, and for its use in engine instrumentation during
testing, all hydrogen-based devices share a common need for the continuous and
accurate monitoring of hydrogen during transport, storage and operation [Kumar et al. 11].
4. Bibliographic references

2. [Arif 10] Aerospace Technologies Advancements. Editor: T.T. Arif. ISBN: 978-953-7619-
96-1, 492 pages. Publicated: 1 January 2010. Available at:
http://www.intechopen.com/books/aerospace-technologies-advancements
[CDTI 13] Plan Estratégico para el Sector Aeronáutico Español (Strategic Plan for the
Spanish Aeronautics Sector) en el periodo 2008-2016. CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo
Tecnológico Industrial). Publications. Available at:
http://www.cdti.es/recursos/publicaciones/archivos/43134_257257200791039.pdf
[Hunter et al. 98] G.W. Hunter, P.G. Neudeck, Liang-Yu Chen, D. Knight, C.C. Liu, and
Q.H. Wu. “Microfabricated chemical sensors for safety and emission control applications”.
NASA Technical Memorandum 208816, November 1998.
[Kumar et al. 11] A. Kumar, P. Zhang, A. Vincent, R. McCormack, R. Kalyanaraman, H.J.
Cho, and S. Seal. Hydrogen selective gas sensor in humid environment based on polymer
coated nanostructured-doped tin oxide. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Vol. 155,
Issue 2, 20 July 2011, Pages 884-892.