Development of a fiber optic based hydrogen sensing system

CHED 180

Felipe Alvarez, smitc@lake.ollusa.edu and Charles A. Smith. Department of Chemistry, Our Lady of the Lake University, 411 S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
Hydrogen concentrations as low as 4% are explosive in the presence of air. Hydrogen is used extensively throughout chemical industry and also holds promise with fuel cells. An ideal hydrogen gas sensor would be one that is not electrically based, can rapidly detect sub explosive concentrations of hydrogen, operate in extreme conditions, and regenerate itself. A fiber optic based hydrogen sensing system would be a good start. The objective of this investigation is to combine the advantages of fiber optics in conjunction with a previously discovered hydrogen gas responsive material to develop an effective hydrogen gas detection system.