Innovative Technologies in Optical Fiber Hydrogen Sensor Detection Systems for Space Applications

Hydrogen detection is priority for every launch vehicle where hydrogen is involved. Hydrogen sensors are necessary to monitor the detection of every possible leak. For space application is very challenging to pin point exact location of leaks and public acceptance of hydrogen fuel is require the integration of a reliable hydrogen safety sensor. For detecting leakage of cryogenic fluids in spaceport facilities, launch vehicle industry and aerospace agencies are currently relying heavily on the bulky mass spectrometers, which fill one or more equipment racks, and weigh several hundred kilograms. Recently new innovation in optical hydrogen makes these sensors intrinsically safe since they produce no arc or spark in an explosive environment caused by the leakage of hydrogen. Being a very small molecule, hydrogen is prone to leakage through seals and micro-cracks. This paper describes the development of fiber optic innovative technologies for detection of hydrogen in space applications. These systems consisted of Micro Mirror, Fiber Bragg grating, Evanescent Optical Fiber and Colorimetric Technology. The paper would discuss the sensor design and performance data under field deployment conditions.