Development of odour additives for use in H2 technology

A key challenge for the effective adoption of hydrogen technology is safety. There are significant safety risks in using and storing hydrogen; H2 is 14x lighter than air, it is odourless, it is colourless and importantly H2/air mixtures can readily ignite over significant distances. The rapid detection of H2 leaks is imperative to ensure that there is sufficient public confidence and that the technology becomes acceptable. Typically, hydrogen sensors are used to detect H2 leaks. This technology it is well established but would unsuitable for emerging hydrogen technology markets given their cost. Additionally, a method for sensing hydrogen leaks, either through smell (or sight) would beneficial in increasing public confidence in hydrogen technology. Odour agents are typically unpleasant smelling organic compounds added to an odourless gas that when detected by the human nose provoke alarm. Natural gas is odourless, but we immediately recognise a leak from the smell of an odour agent added to the natural gas, tert-butylthiol. This signals an immediate alarm, as well as providing assurance that we can effectively sense the leak if required. However, unlike natural gas, odour additives used for hydrogen use and storage has significant limitations. Firstly, typical aliphatic sulphur and nitrogen based odour agents can impact the catalysts used within fuel cells; and secondly, the odour agents must be non-toxic given the use of hydrogen gas in domestic markets. This project will design and synthesize new odour additives for hydrogen storage, and then benchmark them against the current industry standard(s). Their will be three elements to this project (1) synthetic chemistry modification of the recently divulged sulphur and nitrogen free method using acrylate/acetophenone (antioxidant) system;(2) the development aromatic thiophene and derivatives, where their structures can be modified to reduce (or eliminate) catalyst poisoning in fuel cells; and (3) use of carbon rich saturated readily available natural products (e.g. longifolene). This latter element of the project goes against existing paradigms in odours additives, but we believe these substrates remain underutilised as potential odorants, particularly given they are aliphatic and contain limited functional groups that could potentially poison a catalyst with a fuel cell. The implementation of the results from this project will provide novel odour agents that can be used in hydrogen storage. By delivering a cost-effective method for hydrogen detection, public confidence in hydrogen technology will be enhance. This should see an increased uptake of hydrogen technology by business, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuel use leading to decarbonisation of the economy. Additionally, a more cost-effective safety platform should see hydrogen technology becoming more available to developing economies and emerging markets.

The RI self-assessment of an individual's research projects will mean that the cohort have a high degree of understanding of the potential beneficial impact from their research on the economy, society and the environment. This then places the cohort as the best ambassadors for the CDT, hence most pathways to impact are through the students, facilitated by the CDT.

Industrial impact of this CDT is in working closely together with key industry players across the hydrogen sector, including through co-supervision, mentoring of doctoral students and industry involvement in CDT events. Our industrial stakeholders include those working on hydrogen production (ITM Power, Hydrogen Green Power, Pure Energy) and distribution (Northern Gas, Cadent), storage (Luxfer, Haydale, Far UK), safety (HSL, Shell, ITM Power), low carbon transport (Ulemco, Arcola Energy), heat and power (Bosch, Northern Gas).

Policy impact of the CDT research and other activities will occur through cohort interactions with local authorities (Nottingham City Council) and LEPs (LLEP, D2N2) through the CDT workshops and conference. A CDT in Parliament day will be facilitated by UKHFCA (who have experience in lobbying the government on behalf of their members) and enable the cohort to visit the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST), BEIS and to meet with local MPs. Through understanding the importance of evidence gathering by Government Departments and the role this has in informing policy, the cohort will be encouraged to take the initiative in submitting evidence to any relevant requests for evidence from POST.

Public impact will be achieved through developing knowledge-supported interest of public in renewable energy in particular the role of hydrogen systems and infrastructure. Special attention will be paid to demonstration of safety solutions to prove that hydrogen is not more or less dangerous compared to other fuels when it is dealt with professionally and systems are engineered properly. The public, who are ultimate beneficiaries of hydrogen technologies, will be engaged through different communication channels and the CDT activities to be aware of our work. We will communicate important conclusions of the CDT research at regional, national, and international events as appropriate.

Socio-economic impact. There are significant socio-economic opportunities, including employment, for hydrogen technologies as the UK moves to low carbon transport, heat and power supply. For the UK to have the opportunity to take an international lead in hydrogen sector we need future innovation leaders. The CDT supported by partners we will create conditions for and exploit the opportunities to maximise socio-economic impact.

Students will be expected in years 3 and 4 to undertake a research visit to an industry partner and/or to undertake a knowledge transfer secondment. It is expected these visits (supported by the CDT) will be a significant benefit to the student's research project through access to industry expertise, exploring the potential impact of their research and will also be a valuable networking experience.