Measurement technology for determining hydrogen leaks and permeation

But how can this property be tested accurately? Hahn-Schickard in Villingen-Schwenningen and the SKZ plastics centre in Würzburg are addressing precisely this question in the H2Sens project. The aim is to develop and validate a cost-effective, H₂-selective sensor concept for hydrogen-carrying components and semi-finished products.

Since the project started in May 2024, both the sensor development at Hahn-Schickard and the prototype construction at SKZ for analysing such components have made great progress.

A draft of the test demonstrator shows a stainless steel housing in which pipes can be tested at pressures of up to 10 bar.

The dimensions are based on the specifications of the members of the project committee. In addition to pipes, pipe sleeves and other components can also be tested. Hahn-Schickard has developed a novel thermal gas sensor based on surface micromechanics that can detect even the slightest changes in hydrogen concentration.

This sensor is currently being integrated with an electrical control and evaluation unit to form a compact measuring sensor, enabling a practical overall solution and uncomplicated integration into the test demonstrator.

Interested parties can join the project committee to receive regular updates on the project’s progress. The next meeting will take place on 6 November 2025 at Hahn-Schickard in Villingen-Schwenningen. Registrations and further information are available from Philipp Raimann (philipp.raimann@hahn-schickard.de) or Stefanie Grunert (s.grunert@skz.de).

This project, with funding number 01IF23290N, is funded by the DLR Project Management Agency (Society, Innovation, Technology) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) from 1 May 2024 to 31 October 2026.