The whitepaper by Druck, hosted on h2-view.com, warned that many sensors marketed “hydrogen-compatible” can suffer from issues such as drift, embrittlement, and permeation when exposed to harsh, high-pressure hydrogen environments.

Hydrogen sensors are used throughout the value chain – from electrolysers and fuelling stations to pipelines and storage – providing real-time monitoring to ensure safety, efficiency and compliance.

However, the paper notes that long-term drift specifications are often quoted under ideal conditions, which do not account for real-world factors such as temperature swings, hydrogen impurities, and pressure cycling.

Over time, it says this can cause sensors to deviate from accurate readings, potentially undermining operational performance and masking faults.

In some cases, the paper suggests this drift could lead to issues like delayed fuelling cycles, misreported storage levels or failure to trigger safety systems.

Adding to these challenges is the continued use of outdated certifications. “Existing pressure sensing options quote compliance to the automotive EC79 requirement; this has been made obsolete since 2022,” the whitepaper states.

It added, “The replacement UN ECE R134 specification must be met for the full system including pressure sensors used in the hydrogen automotive application.”

Click here to read the full whitepaper.