PRESS RELEASE | Metering the Hydrogen Distribution Network

Ionix awarded UK government funding to develop ultrasonic transducers designed to meter hydrogen flow

Ionix Advanced Technologies and a global flow partner have won a UK government funded grant entitled “FUSION-H₂”. In this 18-month programme, the joint partnership will develop and demonstrate an ultrasonic meter, able to accurately measure flow of hydrogen and hydrogen flow.

The transition to a hydrogen economy requires next generation sensing. Measurement of flow using ultrasound offers unrivalled precision, but hydrogen is a difficult medium due to the extremely high speed of transmission of ultrasonic frequencies, and the associated refraction of the signal that this causes. There are significant challenges which must be overcome to achieve this. 

Commenting on the project, Tim Comyn, Technical Director of Ionix commented, “As the UK moves inexorably towards a Hydrogen economy, solving the challenge of measuring rapidly flowing Hydrogen, a gas which has, to-date, proved particularly challenging to measure accurately with ultrasonics, is a task we are proud to undertake. Our world-class engineering team and our industry partners regularly push the boundaries of excellence which keeps us at the very forefront of measurement technology.” 

Piezoelectric materials are at the heart of many ultrasonic sensors, able to convert an electric signal into a mechanical vibration and vice versa. Utilising the Ionix extreme environment piezoceramic, HPZ, programme will deliver new sensor technologies, including electronics, sensors, and software. Ionix Product Director, Dr William Vickers, explains, “Ionix are experts at applying our innovative piezoceramic material to the most challenging applications and pushing the limits of what can be achieved with this class of material. We will apply our know-how and processes to package our ceramics in high performance sensors which perfectly complement the existing electronics and systems. Of course, safety is paramount. The solution will be intrinsically safe, and able to be deployed in an explosive atmosphere.” 

Using a combination of leading-edge ceramic materials, and innovative digital signal processing techniques, the project team aims to perfect the accurate measurement of gas flow in both 100% hydrogen, and hydrogen / hydrocarbon blends. The measurement of blends is critical during the transition to hydrogen will allow the companies to develop and commercialize their first sensor system aimed primarily at the hydrogen sector. 

Corinna Jones, Head of Innovation at National Gas Transmission PLC said of the project, “This exciting proposal is an important milestone in growing the UK’s capacity and momentum in hydrogen research and supporting National Gas’s strategic ambitions in expanding its capabilities and reach both within the UK and beyond.”