Market study of hydrogen sensors and sensing systems
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5984-3745
Sripriya U
Abstract
The future of hydrogen is abundant with its numerous applications in refineries, fertilizer industries, nuclear plants, and other upcoming technologies like environment-friendly fuels. With the market for hydrogen being so dynamic and due to its peculiar properties, such as high flammability, low viscosity, low density, high escape rate, and the ability to burn with an invisible flame to the naked eye, a sensing system in place becomes a prerequisite [1]. Hydrogen sensors with various working principles, price ranges, and different applications are commercially available. The different types of sensors for hydrogen at present in the market include electrochemical, catalytic pellistor, metal-oxide, and solid-state type [2]. However, there are various technical and market implications to use the various sensors in the industries where hydrogen is either produced or used as a utility [3].
The usefulness of gas sensors predominantly depends on the factors such as sensitivity, selectivity, response time, accuracy, range of detection, durability, and reliability. The focus of the present work is on the use of these sensors for automobiles powered by a fuel cell, use in refineries, as a hydrogenating agent, and for fertilizer industries among many others. Some of the challenges faced in the application of these sensors are the use of sensors in the local markets (ex: small scale fertilizer industries) of the countries and encountering their challenges (cost limitation, lack of personnel to handle the sensor), geographical area of the industry and requirements suited to that area (if the area is prone to dust, it may damage the sensor or susceptible to vibrations from equipment) also plays an important role in the selection of these sensors [4].
Although fuel cells are being touted as the future of energy, little is being explored about the disposal of components of the fuel cell like the hydrogen sensor which can prove to be a detrimental environmental problem in the future and a major topic of discussion. [5]. Re-fueling centers and repair stations for hydrogen and its sensors is an upcoming infrastructure and is a major area for development [6]. The future of hydrogen sensors has shown a lot in terms of both the upcoming technology as well as the introduction of a variety of sensors suited for current applications. With the expansion of worldwide interest in hydrogen energy and various governments introducing a framework to incorporate hydrogen energy, the demand for the sensors will increase manifold [7].
This paper provides a broad comparison between different types of hydrogen sensors, metal oxide hydrogen sensors in particular, evaluation of the existing market, the future scope, economy, and challenges. A comprehensive study has been put together which focuses on the ways of sensing hydrogen and its quantification, prospective applications of hydrogen, challenges in the field of hydrogen sensing as well as its use as fuel, market study, the global share of hydrogen production and consumption through the years, and the major players in this field. It also gives a comprehensive SWOT analysis for the existing situation of the hydrogen sensor market and a comparative study of the existing sensors in the market
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Hydrogen sensors, gas sensors, metal oxide sensors, market survey, competitor analysis
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