Green hydrogen is considered a key energy carrier of the future – but only if its quality is right can it be reliably used in sensitive applications such as fuel cells or chemical processes. This is precisely where the work of DBI – Gastechnologisches Institut gGmbH Freiberg (DBI) at Energiepark Bad Lauchstädt comes in. As part of the real-world laboratory, the company is building a hydrogen gas treatment plant for the removal of trace substances from hydrogen. At the same time, DBI is developing analysis and testing procedures with which the purity of the generated hydrogen can be checked and ensured along the entire value chain.
Why purity is so crucial
Not all hydrogen is created equal. Depending on the application – whether in the chemical industry, energy supply, or electromobility – different quality requirements apply. Even tiny traces of foreign substances in the range of a few parts per million or billion (ppm/ppb) can lead to malfunctions or efficiency losses in sensitive applications. In contrast, the purity requirements for hydrogen in combustion processes (e.g., in power plants) are significantly lower.
High-precision analysis during ongoing operation
At Energiepark Bad Lauchstädt, DBI is building a gas treatment plant where state-of-the-art processes for hydrogen purification and analysis will be tested in the future. Online sensors and gas chromatographs continuously monitor H₂ purity there. In addition, samples are analyzed in DBI’s accredited testing laboratory – depending on the question, using laser-based methods, mass spectrometry, or electrochemical and optical measurement technology.
The procedures are based on international standards such as ISO 14687 (quality requirements) and ISO 21087-1 (measurement and testing procedures), as well as the national regulations of the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW e.V.). Depending on the application, the range of detection limits extends down to the lower ppb range.
Research for tomorrow: new processes and standards
A focus of DBI’s research is on the further development of existing methods and the development of new, more efficient approaches to gas treatment. In particular, it is being investigated how the high purity of hydrogen produced in the electrolyzer can be maintained even after transport and storage – for example, in cavern storage facilities or pipelines.
Because on its way from producer to consumer, hydrogen can come into contact with materials that release or absorb trace substances. DBI – Gastechnologisches Institut gGmbH Freiberg is developing tailor-made measurement strategies and measures to reliably detect and prevent contamination. At the same time, the research results are incorporated into national and international standardization processes – thus contributing to the creation of uniform quality standards for the hydrogen economy.
Purity testing as a key to economic efficiency
In addition to the technical challenge, economic efficiency also plays a role: hydrogen should be treated “as pure as necessary” – i.e., with the lowest possible energy and cost, without taking quality risks. DBI is therefore investigating how purity requirements, treatment costs, and process stability can be optimally coordinated.
An important building block for the hydrogen future
With its research into purity testing, DBI makes a central contribution to ensuring that green hydrogen can be used safely and economically on an industrial scale. The results from Energiepark Bad Lauchstädt not only flow into the optimization of local processes but also create knowledge and standards for the entire industry – for a clean, reliable, and sustainable hydrogen economy in Germany and Europe. In the Leuna Chemical Park, H₂ users will be provided with very high hydrogen quality, which allows the use of hydrogen as a starting product for chemical syntheses.
