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.

Draft Hydrogen Detection Standard Completes International Review
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

ISO TC 197 Working Group 13 (WG 13) is developing an International Standard for hydrogen detection apparatus. The document, which has reached the stage of Draft International Standard (DIS), has been distributed for voting and comments, and the deadline is February 15th.

The US Technical Advisory Group (US TAG) has spent significant time reviewing the DIS, which has already incorporated many of the changes requested by the US during previous WG 13 meetings. US experts have engaged the input of national laboratories and hydrogen detector manufacturers in order to provide useful input to the WG 13 as it prepares an International Standard.

Many of the comments received by the US TAG facilitate one of the long-time goals of the WG 13 – to ensure the document is not preferential to one or more sensor technologies, but instead is applicable to all viable technologies that can meet the performance requirements.

The working group plans to meet in Berlin on March 11-12, following receipt of the comments on the DIS. The meeting is to be held in Europe, in an effort to facilitate IEC TC 31 participation. 

There is an active agreement for cooperation between ISO TC 197 (Hydrogen Technologies) and IEC TC31 (Equipment for explosive atmospheres). It has been agreed that both technical committees will cooperate "to make an effective and positive contribution to international standardization in matters of common interest."

The National Hydrogen Association would like to thank everyone who took the time to review the Draft International Standard and provide comments. We will keep readers informed of the result of the voting and progress of the document as these are reported by ISO/TC 197.

No Formal Agreement for Cooperation Exists Between ISO and SAE for Vehicular Fueling Nozzles/Receptacles
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

Correction of NHA Newsletter dated Oct 16, 2008, Regarding Refuelling Connectors Standard

NHA would like to take this opportunity to correct information that was published in our October issue of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety Newsletter. The ISO/TC 197 Secretariat has declared that contrary to what was announced in October 2008, there is in fact no formal agreement for cooperation between ISO and SAE in the revision of ISO 17268, Compressed hydrogen surface vehicle refuelling connection devices. The main task of the working group is to work on the definition of the requirements for the 70 MPa refuelling connectors and to introduce some changes in the test methods.

Although there are strong links between SAE and ISO/TC 22 (for example, SAE is the US TAG administrator for ISO/TC 22), a formal agreement is lacking between ISO/TC 197 and SAE in the revision of ISO 17268. The lack of such an agreement may have forced the postponement of a planned joint meeting in November. The Joint ISO/TC 197 and ISO/TC 22 WG 5, which is working on the revision of ISO 17268, met instead on Friday, January 23, 2009, in Troy, MI. SAE International Headquarters is also located in Troy, and offered to host this joint meeting; however, the NHA understands that ISO/TC 197 opted to hold the meeting in a nearby hotel instead. 

The NHA hopes this unfortunate situation can be officially resolved for the benefit of the work product. In the meantime, we are pleased that both activities have some members in common, making it possible to identify potential technical inconsistencies that could lead to incompatible requirements.