Time to change from helium to hydrogen

H2 vs He for GC

Helium is essential for carrier gas applications and is difficult to match its performance for most laboratory uses. Hydrogen has been proven to be a suitable substitute and in fact improves the performance of most GC applications due to its lighter density compared to helium. Hydrogen has been avoided in the past because of safety concerns but today it is a reliable alternative to helium as carrier gas for gas chromatography when it is produced on-demand and onsite with reliable onsite hydrogen gas generators.

Here are the main benefits of using H2 as your carrier gas:

* Costs savings: Hydrogen as carrier gas is less expensive. The helium supply crisis is the new normal.

* Security of supply: Hydrogen is an abundant and renewable resource and when produced onsite does not run out.

* Speed: Hydrogen is faster than helium. Hydrogen has the lowest viscosity at any temperature.

* Productivity: The reduction of noise and analysis times compared to HE and N2 has a positive impact on laboratory productivity.

* Less spares: Hydrogen use lowers the temperature for separation, improving separation column longevity.

* Availability: Hydrogen can be generated by electrolysis using water anywhere.

For more than 30 years LNI Swissgas has been providing premium hydrogen gas generators to laboratories worldwide. LNI Swissgas H2 generators have very unique features when compared to other onsite H2 gas generators and offer a real alternative to helium cylinders.