In addition to spectrometer sales and service, we also participate in scientific projects:
Development of methods for hydrogen purity analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry
Project number: CL01000071
Period: 01/2024 – 06/2026
The project
Hydrogen has great potential as an alternative source of clean energy and fuel. The use of hydrogen fuel in transport will lead to a reduction in emissions and thus reduce the negative environmental impacts of transport, e.g. to decarbonisation because hydrogen fuel in transport does not produce carbon emissions.
Hydrogen can be produced by many means and from different sources. Depending on the manufacturing process used, it may contain undesirable impurities that have a negative impact on proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The use of poor quality hydrogen fuel can damage the fuel cell of the car or reduce its service life. For hydrogen to become a common and widespread fuel, effective and routine quality control methods will need to be put in place.
The project addresses the development and implementation of an analytical method for the determination of seven impurities in hydrogen fuel using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR is a spectroscopic method based on the analysis of infrared (IR) light after passing through a sample. A sample of hydrogen is introduced into a cuvette through which IR radiation is passed. This induces changes in the vibrational and rotational states of the gas molecules and some of the original IR radiation is absorbed by the sample. The absorption, its magnitude and the wavenumber of the absorbed radiation depend on the type of impurity and its concentration in the sample. Hydrogen itself is not active in the IR spectrum and therefore does not interfere with the analysis. The advantage of FTIR over other techniques, e.g. gas chromatography, is its relative simplicity, speed and lower operating costs. The disadvantage may be higher detection limits. Using FTIR, it is possible to determine the content of water (H2O), ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), formaldehyde (HCHO), formic acid (HCOOH) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in hydrogen.
The aim of the project is to establish a methodology for the determination of the first five of these impurities in the laboratories of the Transport Research Centre and its subsequent accreditation.
Project coordinator: the Transport Research Centre, v. v. i.
Project partners:
- Transport Research Centre, v. v. i.
- Nicolet CZ s. r. o.
Project results
Methodology for the determination of H2O, NH3, CH3, HCHO and HCOOH in hydrogen by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
NmetA – Methodologies and procedures accredited by an accredited body
The methodology for determination of H2O, NH3, CH3, HCHO and HCHO in hydrogen by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) will be developed according to ASTM D7653 and JIS K0512. The functionality of the methodology will be verified internally by a validation study and externally by a bilateral comparison with an accredited laboratory. It will take the form of a standard operating procedure (SOP) that will serve as the basis for its accreditation.
Contact: info@nicoletcz.cz
This project Development of methods for hydrogen purity analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry is co-financed with state support from the Czech Technology Agency and the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic within the Transport 2030 Programme. This project was funded under the National Recovery Plan by the European Recovery and Resilience Facility.