SurfMoG H2

The most effective IoT tool for long-term hydrogen monitoring in subsurface
While the potential for hydrogen as clean energy is not a recent discovery,  these last years have seen a  boom  in  the  interest  in  this  resource, following  renewable  energy  development.  One  of  the  key  elements in the growth of this industry is the detection of hydrogen concentration: not only for natural hydrogen exploration, but also for transport and storage monitoring. However, hydrogen gas sensors on the market combine too many constraints: unsuitable for external conditions, energy consuming, bulky,  operating  on  a  spectrum  of  low  or  high  concentrations  (but  not  both),  and  for  the  most  performant   very   expensive   (>10k€   each).   Developing   a   new   generation   of   sensor,   compact,   autonomous  and  suitable  for  harsh  conditions  is  the  best  solution  to  meet  the  needs  of  many geoscientists and industrial players.

In  this  context,  45-8  ENERGY  developed  in  partnership  with Solexperts, a new type of multi-gas sensor and probereunited  in  one  technology:  SurfMoG  H2.  45-8  ENERGY’s  knowledge  of  subsurface  and  expertise  into  industrial gases,   coupled   with   SOLEXPERTS'   recognised   skills   in   terms of mechanics and electronics, led to the creation of what  is  considered  as  the  most  effective  IoT  tool  to  monitor   hydrogen,   accurately   and   continuously   over   months  in  the  subsurface,  SurfMoG  H2.  The  sensitive  element  is  integrated into  a  1m  long  probe  installedentirely   in   the   underground/soil.   This   smart   device, composed  of  a  gas  chamber,  with  an  electrochemical  sensor  for  hydrogen  measurements  up  to  40,000  ppm  (4%),  a  logger  with  battery  and  communication  system,takes measurements regularly, store the data and send it to a   dedicated   platform   for   further   processing   and   interpretation.  The  communication  is  also  possible  from  the   user   to   the   probe   to   modify   the   measurement   parameters.

This brand-new technology has already proven its worth, particularly  in  the  framework  of  the  H2NA  programme,  which aims to carry out a technical and economic study of the    natural    hydrogen’s    potential    in    the    Nouvelle-Aquitaine region (France) in association with solid experts: CVA,   BRGM,   ENGIE,   the   University   of   Pau.   Several SurfMoG  H2  probes  have  been  leased  to  the  project  to  monitor  natural  hydrogen  on  a  high  potential  area,  and  are sending data as you read this article.
SurfMoG H2 probes find applications in various domains: for hydrogen exploration to detect seepingand/or leaks in the near subsurface and to characterize long-term flux (concentration, daily or seasonal variations....).  They  could  also address  some  risks  concerns  in  underground  infrastructures  (storage,  pipeline...), some of the issues  faced  in  radioactive  waste  confinement,  and  even  for  natural  hazard  monitoring (H2 pulse is seen in relation with earthquakes).