Optimizing gas chromatography: hydrogen supply with LNI Swissgas generators

Gas chromatography (GC) is a widely used analytical technique in industries such as pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and chemical processing. A crucial element in GC operation is the use of hydrogen gas as both a carrier gas and a fuel gas for flame ionization detectors (FIDs). Traditionally, laboratories have relied on gas cylinders, but this approach comes with limitations. LNI Swissgas hydrogen generators provide an innovative and efficient alternative, ensuring safety, consistency, and cost-effectiveness in GC applications.

Why use hydrogen in gas chromatography?

Hydrogen is increasingly preferred in GC for several reasons:

Superior carrier gas: Hydrogen improves separation efficiency, speeds up analysis, and enhances resolution compared to helium or nitrogen.
Essential for FID operation: In flame ionization detectors, hydrogen reacts with air to create a flame that ionizes organic compounds, enabling highly sensitive detection.

Challenges with Traditional Hydrogen Supply

Many laboratories still use compressed hydrogen gas cylinders, which present multiple challenges:

Frequent cylinder replacements: Manual handling disrupts GC operations.
Safety risks: Storing and transporting high-pressure cylinders poses safety concerns.
Inconsistent purity: Gas contamination risks affecting analytical accuracy.
High costs: Cylinder rental, delivery fees, and storage add operational expenses.

The Solution: LNI Swissgas hydrogen generators

To address these challenges, many laboratories are switching to LNI Swissgas hydrogen generators, such as the HG PRO 1300. These generators offer multiple advantages:

Uninterrupted GC operation: Hydrogen is produced on-demand, eliminating supply shortages.
Increased safety: No need to handle high-pressure cylinders, reducing potential hazards.
High-Purity gas: LNI Swissgas generators ensure ultra-pure hydrogen, enhancing analytical accuracy.
Cost savings: No rental fees, delivery charges, or downtime due to cylinder changes.

Success story: Richard Geiss GmbH improves GC efficiency with LNI Swissgas

Richard Geiss GmbH, a company specializing in solvent waste processing, sought a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective solution for their gas chromatography operations. Their laboratory operates 10 GC-FIDs, requiring a consistent supply of high-purity hydrogen for accurate analytical results.

By integrating two LNI Swissgas HG PRO 1300 hydrogen generators alongside a ZA FID Air 6.0 system, the company experienced significant improvements:
✔ Continuous hydrogen supply, eliminating workflow disruptions caused by cylinder replacements.
✔ Enhanced safety, as laboratory personnel no longer handle high-pressure gas cylinders.
✔ Reduced operational costs, with no rental fees or cylinder transport expenses.
✔ Reliable, high-purity hydrogen, ensuring precise and reproducible analytical results.

This transition streamlined their laboratory operations and improved workplace safety, making LNI Swissgas generators a crucial component of their analytical success.

Read the full success story here.

Conclusion

For laboratories looking to streamline gas chromatography operations, LNI Swissgas hydrogen generators are the ideal solution. By replacing gas cylinders with on-demand hydrogen generation, labs can achieve greater efficiency, enhanced safety, and long-term cost savings. Investing in LNI Swissgas technology ensures a reliable and high-quality hydrogen supply, optimizing GC-FID performance.