Odourising Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Making Hydrogen smelly; Hydrogen is the solution to future low carbon energy needs, if so, it would be essential to have an olfactory alarm to identify the danger of unintended release. Smelly odorants are ubiquitous in natural gas as we use them in industry and our homes. However, the sulfur molecules currently used as natural gas odorant is incompatible for use in a hydrogen car. Therefore, an alternative fuel cell friendly odorant needs to be identified.

Partnering with NPL, this project investigates alternative odorant systems in hydrogen applications, particularly hydrogen vehicles, through a set of measurement techniques. Through the project, we hope to identify new odorants that will accelerate the safe adoption of hydrogen in the grid.