HyDIOS

HyDIOS (Hydrogen Detection Using Intelligent Optical Sensors) Monitors Hydrogen Within Pipelines, Allowing for Expanded and More Efficient Use of Hydrogen Fuel

As the world develops cleaner energies, many experts have identified potential in blending clean-burning hydrogen (H­₂) into existing natural gas pipelines as a way to speed up the adoption of cleaner fuels.

At blends up to 20% hydrogen-80% natural gas, this transport method would cut the expensive costs associated with manufacturing and installing hydrogen-specific steel pipelines – a significant hurdle to increased H­₂ use. Additionally, if produced using green processes, blended hydrogen could “clean up” natural gas, which accounted for 32% of the U.S.’s total energy consumption in 2021.

However, H₂ concentrations must be monitored within natural gas blends to ensure safe and efficient hydrogen transportation. Natural gas molecules are around eight times the size of hydrogen molecules, meaning that existing infrastructure that is able to contain natural gas may not be suitable for containing H­₂. When unmonitored, H­₂ can escape through pipe damage or imperfections, leading to lost efficiency and potential safety risks. Current H₂ sensors are not always capable of detecting hydrogen in complex matrices. When they are, it usually requires additional, more complex reduction and filtration systems to be able to detect hydrogen within more complex gas mixtures. Additionally, current sensors deteriorate and must frequently be replaced.

HyDIOS (Hydrogen Detection Using Intelligent Optical Sensors) combines artificial intelligence with advanced optical sensors to monitor blended H­₂ for efficient and safe transportation.

HyDIOS ensures that the percentage of hydrogen blended with natural gas at the source remains the same through transport and distribution to the end-user. HyDIOS is an in-line sensor that can be added to natural gas hubs, mixing stations, and key points along pipelines. It offers real-time, remote monitoring of natural gas blends leading to increased pipeline safety.

HyDIOS is one of the numerous technologies that Oceanit is developing under EDGE (Energy Decarbonization for the Global Environment) to support the global energy transformation and make hydrogen a viable clean-burning fuel source for a greener future.

Key Features

• Can be added to existing natural gas pipeline infrastructure
• Reduces the risk of hydrogen gas escape and leakage
• Operates continuously and unmanned
• Ensures concentrations of hydrogen remain the same from source through transport and to distribution