Ormosil approach toward developing a completely reversible hydrogen sensor for aerospace applications

Optical hydrogen sensors are intrinsically safe since they produce no arc or spark in an explosive environment caused by the leakage of hydrogen. Safety remains a top priority since leakage of hydrogen in air during production, storage, transfer and distribution creates an explosive atmosphere for concentrations between 4%2(v/v) - the lower explosive limit (LEL) and 74.5%2(v/v) - the upper explosive limit (UEL) at room temperature and pressure. Being a very small molecule, hydrogen is prone to leakage through seals and micro-cracks. Hydrogen detection in space application is very challenging; public acceptance of hydrogen fuel would require the integration of a reliable hydrogen safety sensor. For detecting leakage of cryogenic fluids in spaceport facilities, Launch vehicle industry and NASA are currently relying heavily on the bulky mass spectrometers, which fill one or more equipment racks, and weigh several hundred kilograms. An optical sensor system can decrease pay load while monitoring multiple leak locations in situ and in real time. In this paper design of ormsoil approach for developing a completely reversible optical hydrogen sensors for aerospace application is being discussed.