Hydrogen Generators Using Fuel Processing Technologies
Falco Thuis, Convernor of ISO TC 197 WG 9
 It
is my pleasure to report, after some delaying issues, the work within ISO TC 197
Working Group 9 is back on track and much progress is expected in 2006.
As announced by Mario Sandoval in his last article, he had to withdraw as convener
because he left Shell Hydrogen. As Mario's successor, it is my pleasure to lead
our working group to take both the hydrogen generator safety standard and the
performance standard to the next levels. Through this article, I once again would
like to thank Mario very much for his significant efforts and his enthusiastic
and motivating spirit as convener. I am glad to report Mario is still active in
the working group as a member.
The ISO 16110-1 DIS (Draft International
Standard), "Hydrogen Generators Using Fuel Processing Technologies - Part
1: Safety," has been circulated for balloting by ISO Central half October
2005. Although a draft DIS was already send to the ISO TC 197 secretary early
this year, it appeared a lot of editing work was needed. The complexity of the
standard and the fact that this was the first time burner technology and sophisticated
hydrogen technologies have been integrated in an international standard delayed
the process seriously. In addition, some copyright issues needed resolution. Many
thanks for the editing committee who did a very good job. Based on the balloting
result and comments period that follows, the working group will decide how to
continue and whether a meeting is required. It is our intension and commitment
to the ISO TC 197 plenary meeting to issue a FDIS in 2006.
In Palm Springs,
USA, November 9, in advance of the ISO TC 197 Plenary meeting, Working Group 9
had their last and only meeting in 2005. The main objective was to discuss the
draft ISO 16110-2 standard "Hydrogen Generators Using Fuel Processing Technologies
- Part 2: Test Methods for the Performance." As a starting point we used
the CDV on fuel cell system performance as produced by Working Group 4 of IEC
TC 105 on fuel cell systems. The IEC's permission to use this document is very
much appreciated.
During the meeting we had a very fruitful discussion
and decided to re-structure the document to find a better fit for hydrogen generators.
We also came to the conclusion that the former title, which only addressed efficiency
testing, did not fully reflect the scope and content of this standard. Efficiency
is only one part when comparing hydrogen generator performance. Customers purchasing
hydrogen generators will want to know other information such as: power rating,
fuel gas input, air flow, etc. To adequately reflect this practice in the hydrogen
generator industry, we sought to de-emphasize efficiency and instead promote the
word 'performance' in the title since it represents the idea of many parameters
being measured.
It is the working group objective to further improve
the document and issue a committee draft by Spring 2006.
I would like
to thank the all WG9 members (and their organizations) who for almost three years
have reviewed in detail and discussed both documents passionately and at length.
Special thanks for those who contributed in person and attended one of our working
group meetings.
Further details about ÏSO TC 197 WG9 (deadlines,
etc) can be found in:
http://www.hydrogensafety.info/archives/2004/jul/5.html.
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