- Measuring and testing methods for hydrogen technologies
- Hydrogen analysis and certified reference materials
- Synthesis and properties of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as H2 storage systems
This area of expertise brings together BAM's expertise in gas analysis, gas properties and gas purity.
Our expertise lies in assessing the quality of hydrogen gases. This includes recognising and quantifying impurities, e.g. from other gases or moisture, and detecting leaks as part of quality assurance and safety monitoring across the entire hydrogen value chain.
BAM also develops test methods to determine sensor suitability under realistic conditions - at ambient pressure and at operating pressures - and produces certified reference materials for sensory and analytical measurement technology.
Specific topics include
- Development and dissemination of national standards for gas analysis, in particular for automotive exhaust and energy gases in legal metrology
- Provision of high-precision reference gases for the improvement of gas equations
- Determination of performance parameters (including service life, metrological application range, response behaviour and accuracy) of hydrogen sensors and sensor systems through laboratory tests under realistic conditions
- Further development and establishment of measurement and test procedures for the characterisation of measuring equipment
- Synthesis and properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) as hydrogen storage and derived electrocatalysts for environmentally friendly hydrogen production by water splitting
Measuring and testing methods for hydrogen technologies
Suitable sensors are required to control systems in the hydrogen economy and for hydrogen detection for the safety monitoring of systems or buildings. For example, sensors in fuel cells monitor the gas composition in the gas flow, while hydrogen sensors and sensor systems detect leaks. The development and qualification of new, even more powerful sensors is a key task for ensuring and increasing plant safety, e.g. for fuel cells, hydrogen refuelling stations and Power-to-X applications. To this end, we utilise and develop needs-based measurement and testing methods as well as corresponding regulations to validate sensors for applications. A further focus is on instrumental analysis. To this end, we are developing both selective, case-specific sensors and versatile, non-specific solutions. Their applications include the determination and purity testing of hydrogen as well as the characterisation of new hydrogen applications such as direct reduction for metal production.
Hydrogen analysis and certified reference materials
The classic task of gas analysis at BAM is the development and dissemination of national standards for gas analysis, in particular for AU and energy gases in legal metrology , i.e. via certified reference materials and interlaboratory comparisons. In accordance with an administrative agreement with PTB, BAM acts as a designated institute (DI) within the framework of the Metre Convention and is active in CCQM and EURAMET.
Climate change and the need to transform the energy sector pose new challenges for gas analysis. These arise from the use of hydrogen, alternative gaseous fuels containing hydrogen (NH3 etc.), the use of alternative methane-based energy gases (LNG, LPG, biogas etc.) and decarbonisation by means of Carbon Capture Usage and Utilisation (CCSU). The quality, i.e. the actual chemical composition of the gases, is decisive everywhere.
Precise knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of natural gases and hydrogen-enriched natural gases is important for the basic design and implementation of technical processes and their engineering (e.g. for gas transport through pipelines). BAM provides high-precision gas mixtures for the continuous improvement of the reference equations of state as a basis for the precise determination of the calorific values of energy gases.
Synthesis and properties of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as H2 storage systems
Recently, various materials such as metal hydrides and cryogenic adsorption have been investigated for the storage of hydrogen in order to achieve high storage densities. For a circular hydrogen economy, especially for fuel cells, storage methods for solids that can be reversed are crucial. It is equally important to understand the adsorption capacity of metal hydrides and porous materials under different pressure, temperature and thermal parameters. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are of great interest due to their high surface area and storage capacity. Our MOF database contains details of 3600 MOF structures to facilitate selection. Electrochemical water splitting (EWS) is a promising approach for the production of high-purity hydrogen using renewable energy sources. However, the use of catalysts is required to improve reaction rates. MOF and carbon catalysts could prove to be cost-effective alternatives.