ISO 21087:2019

Overview

ISO 21087:2019 - Gas analysis: Analytical methods for hydrogen fuel - Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell applications for road vehicles - specifies a validation protocol for analytical methods used to ensure gaseous hydrogen (H2) quality at hydrogen distribution bases and hydrogen refuelling stations. The standard is focused on laboratory analysis after sampling, provides recommendations for calculating an uncertainty budget for amount fractions, lists suitable analytical techniques for impurities (aligned with hydrogen grade D in ISO 14687), and gives guidance on maintaining sample integrity and reporting analytical results. Online monitoring requirements are explicitly excluded.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Method validation and fit-for-purpose: Defines the process for demonstrating that an analytical method meets application requirements; labs must confirm method suitability in their environment.
• Performance characteristics: Requires evaluation of core validation parameters, including:
  • Selectivity - ability to measure target analytes without interference
  • Limit of Detection (LOD) and Limit of Quantification (LOQ) - instrument vs. method detection limits and appropriate calculation approaches
  • Working range - linearity and applicable concentration range
  • Trueness and bias - recovery and accuracy assessment
  • Precision - repeatability, intermediate precision and reproducibility
  • Measurement uncertainty - guidance for building an uncertainty budget for amount fractions
  • Ruggedness (robustness) - method stability under varied conditions
• Validation documentation: Requirements for a validation report and ongoing quality control of the analytical method.
• Analytical techniques & sampling: Lists suitable techniques for each impurity specified for hydrogen grade D and provides recommendations on sampling strategy, sampling vessels and preserving sample integrity.
• Reporting: Specifies required elements of the analytical report to ensure traceable, comparable results.

Practical Applications

ISO 21087:2019 is practical for organizations that need reliable laboratory verification of hydrogen fuel quality for PEM fuel cell road vehicles:

• Testing and calibration laboratories performing post-sampling analysis
• Hydrogen distribution facilities and refuelling station operators implementing quality assurance
• Fuel cell and vehicle manufacturers requiring verified hydrogen impurity data
• Regulators and certification bodies developing or auditing hydrogen fuel quality programs The standard helps ensure that impurity measurements are accurate, traceable and comparable across laboratories and facilities.

Related Standards

• ISO 14687 - Hydrogen fuel quality - Product specification (defines hydrogen grade D impurities referenced by ISO 21087)
• ISO 19880-8 - Quality assurance and control for hydrogen refuelling (context for fuel supply chain QA/QC)

Keywords: ISO 21087:2019, gas analysis, hydrogen fuel, PEM fuel cell, validation protocol, hydrogen refuelling stations, sampling, uncertainty budget, ISO 14687.