International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 06 | Jun 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Global Circulation Flow Mechanism for Continuous Hydrogen Sensing by a Quadrotor Drone Kazuo Matsuura1 1Professor, Department of Informatics, Matsuyama University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - Accidental hydrogen leakage occurs in
have a fast response time of several hundred milliseconds and can also produce concentration distributions, but they are limited to quiet and short-distance environments where transmitted and received signals remain clearly distinguishable. If a low-cost hydrogen sensor could be installed on a fast-moving vehicle to measure hydrogen with acceptable accuracy, it could introduce a rapid, flexible, and reliable method.
various situations. A drone-based airborne sensor is expected to provide a more flexible and faster hydrogen sensing system than current technologies. Historically, quadrotor drones were considered unsuitable for hydrogen leak detection because the propeller airflow prevents the gas from reaching the drone. However, we demonstrate for the first time through experiments and simulations that hydrogen can still be effectively detected even in the presence of propeller airflow, and we reveal the hydrogen transport path from the leak source to the sensor mounted on the drone positioned above it. This enables continuous hydrogen sensing using a quadrotor drone. Hydrogen from the leak source is carried by circulating flows inevitably formed around the drone due to the suction and discharge of air by the propellers, which then transport the hydrogen to the sensor in a stable and effective manner.
In recent years, although there are very few cases targeting hydrogen gas, drone-based chemical sensors have been gaining attention, and several review papers have described the trends. These review papers [6–14] provide a more comprehensive list of individual studies. For example, Bartholmai et al. [15] developed a quadcopter system with a 1-meter diameter that can measure O₂, CO, H₂S, NH₃, CO₂, SO₂, PH₃, HCN, NO₂, and Cl₂. Neumann [16] used microdrones to map gas leak sources and gas distributions. Rossi et al. [17] developed a fully autonomous board for any unmanned aerial vehicle, featuring a 32-bit MCU, wireless connectivity for data storage, real-time feedback, and a microfabricated MOX (metal oxide) sensor. Fahad et al. [18] developed a chemically sensitive field-effect transistor (CS-FET) platform using a 3.5-nm-thick silicon channel transistor. This platform detected H₂S, H₂, and NO₂ with low power consumption, high sensitivity, and selective multi-gas sensing. The team successfully tested the sensor mounted on a palm-sized quadcopter performing vertical movements. Although applicability to hydrogen gas has not been explicitly stated, there are commercially available systems. For example, Boreal Laser Inc. [19] offers a gas detection system called “GASFINDER3-AB” that uses an unmanned aerial vehicle with a total length of 2 meters. UgCS sells products that enable hyperspectral cameras to be mounted on drones [20]. Such commercial drone sensing systems are featured on various websites, including [21].
Key Words: Hydrogen Sensing, Drone, Leak, Sensor Array, Flow Circulation, Smoke Visualization, Fire Dynamics Simulator
1.INTRODUCTION The use of hydrogen is becoming an increasingly important part of our everyday lives, leading to hydrogen leakage in various scenarios from production to consumption [1]. Given that hydrogen can easily ignite even from minor static electricity, quick and dependable hydrogen sensing is essential. Hydrogen safety is also a vital concern in the aerospace and nuclear industries. Monitoring hydrogen leakage and dispersion is necessary due to factors such as aging infrastructure, human error, and natural disasters. Hydrogen sensing methods typically fall into one of three categories: fixed measurement, portable probing, or remote measurement. Each method has its pros and cons. Fixed measurement involves a sensor placed in a set location, which means there is a delay before hydrogen reaches the sensor from the source of the leak. Portable probing becomes challenging in areas that are difficult for people to access. Remote measurement employs lasers and ultrasonic sensors. Laser-based measurement uses Raman scattering induced by an ultraviolet laser [2], but the necessary optical system is expensive because of the faintness of the scattered light and the difficulty in achieving proper optical focus. Ultrasonic sensors [3-5]
© 2025, IRJET
|
Impact Factor value: 8.315
The author's group proposed a quadrotor drone system for wireless, high-speed, and continuous detection of hydrogen leaks [22-24]. Quadrotor drones generally produce strong downwash, which has been considered unsuitable for chemical detection [25, 26]. However, previous experiments conducted by the authors demonstrated that leaked hydrogen can be reliably detected by a hydrogen sensor mounted on the drone [2224]. Nonetheless, the mechanism behind this successful
|
ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal
|
Page 959