Hydrogen Generators Standard Update
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association


ISO/TC 197 Working Group 9 is developing an International Standard on test methods for performance of hydrogen generators using fuel processing technologies. This document, which is known as ISO/DIS 16110-2, is a measurement standard.

ISO 16110-1 covers the safety aspects of the hardware, and was published in April 2007. Part 1 applies to packaged, self-contained or factory matched hydrogen generation systems with a capacity less than 400 Nm3/hr (normal cubic meters per hour) that convert a fuel to a hydrogen-rich stream of composition and condition suitable for the type of device using hydrogen (e.g. a fuel cell power system or a hydrogen compression, storage and delivery system).

ISO/DIS 16110-2 covers operational and environmental aspects of the performance of hydrogen generators described in ISO 16110-1. The Draft International Standard (DIS) ballot was approved in September 2008. The working group met in early January to resolve comments to the Draft International Standard, and it was able to go through all the comments received during this DIS review.

The document is intended to be a measurement standard. Manufacturers measure and report the results with uncertainties quantified. Uncertainty and tolerances are determined through use of an annex that allows comparisons to be made between different systems. The manufacturers involved in the effort want this standard because currently, efficiency is measured inconsistently and uncertainties are characterized differently. The standard is to allow for this to be measured and reported in a consistent fashion, making it easier to compare like with like.

The next step in the development of the document is a Final Draft International Standard, which is currently scheduled for April 2009. The International Standard is expected to be published in October 2009.