Are Hydrogen Generators Safe?

Although hydrogen gas cylinders are commonly found in the laboratory, they present a variety of safety risks and unexpected instrument downtimes due to inconsistent delivery schedules. These issues can be eliminated by switching to an on-site gas generator.

Is producing hydrogen gas on-site safe?

Yes. Hydrogen generators produce gas on-demand and only in the amount required by the instrument. Hydrogen generators store less than 300mL of gas at a low pressure compared to the liters of high-pressure gas regularly stored in cylinders. In the event that gas demand exceeds the generator’s capacity, a leak is detected, or pressure builds up inside the unit, an audible alarm will sound and the generator will automatically shut down.

Is it difficult to install a gas generator?

No. Hydrogen gas generators eliminate the safety hazards involved with handling high pressure cylinders in the laboratory. Simply fill with deionized water (1 megohm purity or better,) connect to your electrical supply, and plumb to your instrument with pre-cleaned 1/8” refrigerant grade copper or stainless steel piping.

Do I need a hydrogen sensor near the generator in the lab?

No. Any hydrogen exhausted from the GC will quickly diffuse in the air, which isn’t enough to accumulate to hydrogen’s lower explosive limit (LEL) of 4%. It is nearly impossible to reach this level in a normal laboratory environment.

Is it easy to maintain a hydrogen gas generator?

Yes. Hassle-free automation with no tanks to change is a major advantage to using gas generators. Simply fill the water reservoir weekly or biweekly and provide the proper preventative maintenance (PM) with our convenient maintenance kits. Maintenance service can also be performed at your convenience via a trained technician. We also offer GC accessories for maintaining your chromatography instrumentation.

How do I size the generator for my instrument?

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel, reaction, and carrier gas in your GC applications. Contact us to help you size the correct generator for your laboratory and address any other gas generation needs you may have including: Zero Air, Nitrogen, Multi-Gas, or Hydrogen and Zero Air Gas Station Generators.

What are the benefits of using gas generators over cylinders?

• On-demand gas production means very small gas storage quantities at low pressures
• Constant, reliable, high purity gas flow allows for uninterrupted analysis time and consistent results.
• Completely eliminates instrument downtime to change tanks.
• Hassle-free automated controls.
• Built-in leak detectors and automatic generator shut down.
• Operation costs are very low as the only raw materials used are air, water, and electricity.
• Exceeds OSH 1910.103 and NFPA 50A safety guidelines.

Summary

Gas generators are a safe, reliable, cost-savings alternative to gas cylinders in the laboratory. With an exceptional focus on quality, Parker hydrogen, nitrogen, and zero air generators ensure precise results while creating a safe laboratory environment. Contact us at sales@chromtech.com to assess your laboratory gas needs and maximize your instruments’ uptime.