Sensors Expo Spotlight: Innovative Thin Film Technology for Measurement of Hydrogen State Values

NORCROSS, Ga. - June 28, 2017 - PRLog -- At Sensors Expo, the spotlight will be on an innovative thin film technology for measurement of hydrogen state values. STW, a premier manufacturer of measurement technology, mobile controllers and telematics, will showcase a unique solution for measurement of hydrogen state values at Booth 1236.

Sensors Expo 2017 is being held in San Jose, California this year from June to 27-29.  STW will be in booth 1236.

H2 – a molecule with diverse application possibilities and equally diverse challenges

Today, the safe handling of hydrogen is technologically state of the art.  Hydrogen can be found today in many commercial and industrial areas - in aerospace industry, crude oil refineries, in the production of semiconductors, as an inert gas during plasma welding, in the metal-finishing sector or as a source of energy in fuel cells. As the list of possible applications grows, so does the demand for suitable sensors. However, manufacturers are faced with two challenges when products come into direct contact with hydrogen: Hydrogen embrittlement, and permeation through hydrogen ions.

Hydrogen embrittlement corrodes metal, and its effect is equivalent to material fatigue. Cracks appear, and finally the material fails. In the case of permeation, hydrogen ions move through different materials. So beyond just the materials coming directly into contact with the media, the impact on other components which don't come in direct contact with the medium need to be measured, such as those located behind a sensor membrane. These problematic qualities of hydrogen limit the selection of possible materials so severely that many manufacturers of H2-compatible sensors are only able to provide them with a multitude of limitations, for example regarding the accuracy or the lifetime.

The solution

STW has a unique thin-film technology at its disposal, which permits the coating of material with the lowest hydrogen-related limitations during the manufacture of their own measurement cells and sensors: The 316L alloy. This alloy is outstandingly resistant to embrittlement through hydrogen, and is also the second-most frequently produced stainless steel, meaning that it is inexpensive to procure. By coating measuring cell blanks with TiON (titanium oxynitride), measurement cells with a high k-factor (gain factor) can be produced which permit the use of amplified circuits with a high signal-to-noise ratio.

To counteract the permeation of hydrogen ions, which is encouraged through higher temperatures and pressures, measurement cells can be designed with a high membrane thickness. However, a thicker membrane also means a reduction in the output signal of the pressure measurement cell. For such applications, STW has developed an additional film package, which counteracts a reduced signal through an appropriate k-factor. This development from STW's own cleanroom provides an affordable solution for the manufacture of hydrogen application sensors even in high temperatures.

Hydrogen-compatible STW measuring technology portfolio

The measurement cells and sensors from the 316L group, which are suitable for use with hydrogen, supplement the existing M01 pressure transmitter portfolio, which already comprises 1.5 million variations, so that the pressure and temperature of hydrogen can be measured. No expensive diaphragm seals are used. The stainless steel and the functional layers of the Wheatstone measurement bridge of the thin-film measurement cells have proven their high level of reliability in complex endurance and load cycle tests with hydrogen. Customers of STW are now able to assemble a suitable transmitter for hydrogen within a pressure range from 3.5 to 900 bar. Among other things, 20 pressure connections, 10 electrical plugs and 9 electrical interfaces are available for selection. Qualifications include UL, CE, E1, ASIL, SIL, PL, (ATEX in preparation).

These products measure hydrogen and yet remain robust

The overpressure resistance remains at a very high level, even on the hydrogen-resistant variation. For example, the 3.5 bar variation can be overloaded by up to 20 bar without incurring damage. As both the measurement cell and the pressure channel consist of 316L stainless steel, the medium does not come into contact with any other material, and no seals affect the excellent media resistance. The burst pressure, accuracy, environmental properties, load cycle resistance and EMC characteristics are consistent with the level of the M01 series.

More information on STW's Sensors and pressure measurement cells is available at: https://www.stw-technic.com/products/sensors-and-measurement-technology/pressure-cells/

About STW:  STW (www.stw-technic.com) is an award-winning, world class provider of mobile electronics for automation, connectivity and electrification of off highway vehicles, offering a full spectrum of solutions to a wide range of industries such as mining, construction, agriculture, material handling, transportation, military and oil and gas.  STW solutions have attained a leading role in these industries due to their rigorous testing, high quality German engineering and unmatched flexibility. All of STW's products are mobile off-highway rated.