Panasonic to Release the Ultrasonic Flow and Concentration Meter for Hydrogen in the Chinese Market

Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation today announced that on February 14, 2024, its Electric Works Company will start accepting orders for the ultrasonic flow and concentration meter for hydrogen, a new product designed for the Chinese market that can simultaneously measure hydrogen flow and concentration in high-humidity environments.

Over the past few years, as efforts to achieve carbon neutrality accelerate around the world, initiatives to promote the use of hydrogen energy have intensified. Fuel cells are powered by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the air. The importance of their research and development is increasing, with expectations for advancements in energy efficiency, product durability, and further cost reductions.

The Electric Works Company released the ultrasonic flow and concentration meter for hydrogen (GB-L1CMH1A) last year^*1 and has received positive responses from a number of customers in Japan and overseas, including China. From February 14, 2024, it will start accepting orders for the ultrasonic flow and concentration meter for hydrogen in the Chinese market in anticipation of growing demand. It is expected that the use of this product will accelerate the research and development of hydrogen-related equipment such as fuel cells and water electrolyzers.

Panasonic will continue to support the development of hydrogen energy to promote the expansion of renewable energy use and contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.

The company plans to showcase the product in the Panasonic booth (No. E45-51) at the 15th Int'l Smart Grid Expo, which will be held from February 28 to March 1, 2024 at Tokyo Big Sight.

*1 Reference: Press release dated February 10, 2023 https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/jn230210-2

*2 Unit of flow rate converted to conditions of 0°C and 101.325 kPa

*3 Volume concentration

By leveraging the technologies fostered through the development of gas meter devices, including ultrasonic measurement and fluid control, Panasonic has achieved the simultaneous measurement of hydrogen flow and concentration in high-humidity environments.

In the past, the fuel cell engineers lacked the means to directly measure hydrogen flow and concentration in the hydrogen recirculation system of the fuel cell, which became hot and humid during operations. Therefore, they controlled, with less precision, the addition of hydrogen, the removal of condensate water, and the exhaust of accumulated nitrogen, relying on estimates of the fuel cell’s operating conditions using data on hydrogen supply, power generation, temperature, and pressure. 
Another approach was the installation of a structure that removes water in the recirculation system for measuring hydrogen flow and concentration. However, such a structure changes gas temperature and pressure from those of the fuel cell’s actual operating conditions, which results in measurement errors. 

This product enables the measurement of hydrogen flow and concentration without altering the fuel cell's operating condition. This will contribute to the streamlined development of the fuel cell, ensuring high efficiency and superior durability.

The temperature, pressure, and humidity inside the fuel cell have a substantial impact on its power generation efficiency and durability.
In order to improve the efficiency and durability of fuel cells, it is crucial to identify its internal state on a real-time basis and optimize the recirculation system.
This product features a built-in meter capable of simultaneously monitoring flow and concentration, temperature, pressure, and humidity in real-time. Since data can be acquired both through digital output and analog voltage output, customers can smoothly integrate the product with their own equipment. Moreover, measurement at 10 ms intervals enables the identification of quick changes in flow and concentration.

In the development of hydrogen energy-related technologies, including fuel cells, since hydrogen flow and concentration vary widely depending on the application, measuring instruments that could cover respective flow and concentration ranges were required.
This product has achieved high-precision measurement in a low flow rate region, while enabling high flow measurement up to 2000 L/min (normal^*2). In addition, concentration can be measured over a wide range of 0 to 100vol%^*3.
This will enable efficient evaluation without the need to prepare multiple measuring instruments for respective use conditions.

*4 Accuracy of measurement values (percentage of reading scale)

• Unless otherwise stated, product specifications are based on the use of pure hydrogen or nitrogen, a temperature of 23±5°C, a pressure of 101±3 kPa, and a humidity of less than 5%RH.