| | Jun 19, 2012 — American Sensor Technologies, Inc. (http://astmacro.com/) has obtained 79/2009/EC approval for its Model AST2000H2 Hydrogen ASIC Pressure Sensor, enabling the sensor’s use in high-pressure hydrogen applications up to 900 Bar (13,000 PSI). To obtain approvals, the Model AST20000H2 Hydrogen ASIC Pressure Sensors were tested according to Regulation EU 406/2010 to verify compliance with Regulation EC 79/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. As hydrogen must be handled with care, several industries and markets utilizing hydrogen in their processes have mandated testing and approvals before components, such as pressure sensors, can be used on a specific piece of equipment. The Model AST2000H2 pressure sensors are the first in the world that is EC79 approved for use on hydrogen-powered vehicles operating up to a 900 Bar pressure range.
“In addition to being used as components on the compressed hydrogen fuel systems of automotive and surface transportation vehicles, the AST2000H2 Hydrogen Pressure Sensors are ideal for hydrogen-related applications within the material handling, stand-by power generation, food, pharmaceutical and petroleum industries that increasingly utilize hydrogen within their processes,” states Karmjit Sidhu, American Sensor Technologies, VP, Business Development. “In these applications, our pressure sensors can be safely used as components on hydrogen tanks and fuel cells.”
An innovative threaded, high pressure sealing design enables Model AST2000H2 Pressure Sensors to withstand extreme cold and heat as well as high operating pressure conditions. Other unique design features include an all 316L SS wetted sensing element with a thick pressure diaphragm, and one-piece construction free of welds, internal O-rings, or oil-filled cavities. These features make the AST2000H2 pressure sensors ideal for use in hydrogen applications that present difficult operating challenges such as hydrogen permeation and embrittlement that often cause many other pressure sensors to fail.
“Oil-filled pressure sensors that employ a very thin isolation diaphragm, typically 0.025mm (0.001") in thickness, will allow hydrogen+ ions to escape through it,” notes Sidhu. “AST’s diaphragm thickness is nearly 1.5mm (0.056”) which does not allow permeation through the pressure diaphragm.”
Electrically, the AST2000H2 is available with common automotive and industrial outputs signals such as 0.5-4.5VDC ratiometric (5.0 VDC supply) or 1-5VDC & 4-20mA (10-28VDC supply). The signal is stable and linear throughout the operating temperature range of -40 to +85°C, with typical total error band of +/-2.0%.
For more information on Model AST20000H2 Hydrogen ASIC Pressure Sensor, please refer to the web site at http://www.astsensors.com/digitally_compensated_pressure_transducers/AST2000H2 or contact the factory at sales@astsensors.com. A brochure outlining the use of AST pressure sensors in Alternative Energy applications involving hydrogen can be downloaded from: http://www.astsensors.com/files/pdf/alternative-energy-pressure-capabilities.pdf. | |
