TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Hydrogen Contamination Detection

Active

Contract Opportunity

Triad National Security, LLC / Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking licensing partners to commercialize LANL’s intellectual property relating to its unique hydrogen contamination detection technology.

Overview:

Contaminant-free hydrogen is essential for ensuring the longevity and efficiency of fuel cells and hydrogen-powered systems, such as electrolyzers, as impurities like sulfur or carbon monoxide can poison catalysts and degrade performance. Accordingly, detecting impurities in a hydrogen supply line using a hydrogen contamination detector is vital to sensitive equipment such as fuel cells and electrolyzers to prevent damage and ensure system reliability.

LANL Technology:

To detect contamination in hydrogen fuel supply streams, LANL researchers developed a compact electrochemical analyzer to detect impurities in hydrogen fuel without the need for external humidification. Traditional fuel cells require humidified gases to maintain membrane conductivity, but adding water can itself be a contaminant. The LANL analyzer overcomes that challenge by incorporating a self-humidifying polymer electrolyte membrane. This patented analyzer is particularly useful for hydrogen fueling stations and fuel cell vehicle operators. It enables real-time monitoring of hydrogen purity, ensuring compliance with quality standards and preventing potential damage to fuel cell systems.

Key Features of Analyzer:

• Asymmetric Electrode Design: The analyzer features an anode with a lower platinum loading and a cathode with a higher platinum loading. This configuration enhances sensitivity to contaminants.


• Integrated Water Reservoir: A built-in reservoir allows a portion of the membrane to extend into it, facilitating self-humidification without introducing external water sources.


• Rapid Detection: By operating at a constant voltage and measuring current output, the analyzer can quickly identify the presence of contaminants, enabling timely interventions.

Additionally, LANL researchers developed an advanced fuel contamination detection system to monitor hydrogen fuel quality in real-time during refueling processes, ensuring the protection and optimal performance of fuel cell vehicles. The patented system integrates a fuel quality analyzer (FQA) with a multiway valve and a controller to detect impurities in hydrogen fuel during dispensing. The system operates by diverting a portion of the hydrogen fuel through the FQA, which measures the current output to determine fuel purity. If contaminants are detected, the controller can signal the fuel dispensing system to halt fuel flow, preventing the delivery of impure hydrogen to vehicles.

Key Features of Detection System:

• Fuel Quality Analyzer (FQA): Utilizes an electrochemical cell with asymmetric platinum loading on electrodes and a self-humidifying polymer electrolyte membrane. This design enhances sensitivity to contaminants like carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide.


• Multiway Valve: Features multiple inlets and an outlet, allowing the system to switch between fuel samples, clean calibration gases, and impure calibration gases for accurate detection and calibration.


• Controller: Electrically connected to the FQA and multiway valve, it processes current output data, compares it to predetermined thresholds, and controls fuel dispensing based on fuel purity. It can also adjust the operating voltage of the FQA to enhance detection capabilities.

Market Applications:

The above described LANL technology is particularly valuable for hydrogen fueling stations, fuel production facilities, and transportation systems where hydrogen purity is critical. By providing real-time detection of fuel impurities, it helps prevent damage to fuel cells, ensures compliance with fuel quality standards, and enhances the reliability of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Development Status: Technology Readiness Level 7

US Patents and Pending Applications:

S133939.001 “System and Method for Detection of Impurities During Refueling” (U.S. Patent No. 12,195,320)

S133939.002 “System and Method for Detection of Impurities During Refueling” (Patent Pending)

S133399.001 “Hydrogen Fuel Quality Analyzer with Self-Humidifying Electrochemical Cell and Methods of Testing Fuel Quality” (U.S. Patent No. 10,490,833)

Access: https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology

LA-UR-25-27120

*******************

LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential

Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.

LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact licensing@lanl.gov.

Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.

https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology

https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/tech-and-capability-search

Attachments/Links