Gas chromatography (GC) is a key analytical technique widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food laboratories. Especially in combination with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), it represents an indispensable tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace compounds. One of the limiting factors of this method, however, is the consumption of carrier gas – traditionally helium.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Watrex_Praha_Vic_analyz_mene_Helia_Uspora_helia_v_plynove_chromatografii_Watrex_Helium_Saver_f286a7ffe4.jpg" alt="Watrex: Fig. 1 Watrex Helium Saver™" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Watrex_Praha_Vic_analyz_mene_Helia_Uspora_helia_v_plynove_chromatografii_Watrex_Helium_Saver_f286a7ffe4.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="900"><h4>Why Helium?&nbsp;</h4>Helium is preferred in gas chromatography due to its inertness, low density, and excellent separation capabilities, particularly in GC/MS where other gases (e.g., nitrogen) do not achieve the required sensitivity and separation speed. Hydrogen could serve as an alternative, but it comes with safety risks (flammability and explosiveness)&nbsp;and, in some applications, chemical reactivity, which may affect the results.&nbsp;Interestingly, helium, although the second most abundant element in the universe, is rare and non-renewable on Earth. It is produced as a by-product of alpha decay of heavy elements and naturally escapes into space. It is often obtained as a by-product of natural gas extraction. Due to growing demand and limited reserves, prices are steadily increasing&nbsp;– currently, a single cylinder can cost CZK 20,000–80,000, with typical laboratory consumption lasting only 1–2 months.&nbsp;<h4>How Do Laboratories Save Helium?&nbsp;</h4><h5>Switching to Hydrogen as Carrier Gas&nbsp;</h5>Hydrogen (H₂) is used in some laboratories as an alternative to helium due to its availability and lower cost. However, it has several significant drawbacks:&nbsp;<ul><li>Safety risk:&nbsp;Hydrogen is highly flammable and explosive, requiring strict safety measures, leak detectors, and proper ventilation.&nbsp;</li><li>Chemical reactivity:&nbsp;Unlike helium, it is not completely inert. It can react with some analytes or column materials, leading to chromatographic artifacts and distorted results.&nbsp;</li><li>Limited method compatibility:&nbsp;Switching to hydrogen often requires re-validation of methods, changes in separation conditions, and detector adaptation. Not all methods are suitable for this transition, and the process may be time-consuming and costly.&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Switching to Nitrogen Outside Measurement Periods&nbsp;</h5>Nitrogen (N₂) is a cheap, available, and inert gas that can be used to purge chromatographic systems when no measurements are being performed. This helps conserve helium during instrument downtime. However, this method has several limitations:&nbsp;<ul><li>Manual switching required:&nbsp;Operators must switch gases manually and ensure correct timing. Forgetting to switch may lead to either helium waste or delays in starting analyses.&nbsp;</li><li>Purge time:&nbsp;Before each measurement, the system must be flushed with helium to remove nitrogen and ensure proper chromatographic conditions. This can prolong startup times.&nbsp;</li><li>Limited efficiency:&nbsp;Even with diligent manual switching, some helium is still wasted, especially if the operating mode changes frequently.&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>Watrex Helium Saver™: Automated Helium Savings&nbsp;</h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watrex.com/obchod/chromatography/dedicated-instruments/helium-saver/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">Watrex Praha has introduced Helium Saver™</a>, an intelligent device that addresses this problem fully automatically.&nbsp;<ul><li>How it works:&nbsp;The device monitors the operating schedule of the chromatograph, automatically switches between helium and nitrogen according to the defined plan, and ensures sufficient helium purging before analysis.&nbsp;</li><li>Helium savings:&nbsp;During idle periods, the instrument runs on nitrogen, reducing helium consumption by significant percentages.&nbsp;</li><li>Easy configuration:&nbsp;The device connects via USB – it appears as a flash drive, and all adjustments can be made using any text editor without the need for special software.&nbsp;</li><li>Universal compatibility:&nbsp;It can be easily integrated into any GC/MS system&nbsp;thanks to its universal interface.&nbsp;</li><li>Safety and simplicity:&nbsp;Both automatic and manual modes are available, eliminating the need for daily manual switching.&nbsp;</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Watrex_obr_2_Helium_Saver_e97db01669.jpg" alt="Watrex: Fig. 2 Watrex Helium Saver™" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Watrex_obr_2_Helium_Saver_e97db01669.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="900"><h4>Benefits for Laboratories&nbsp;</h4>Implementing Helium Saver™ brings:&nbsp;<ul><li>significant cost savings,&nbsp;</li><li>improved operational safety,&nbsp;</li><li>a more sustainable approach to scarce resources,&nbsp;</li><li>simplified configuration and installation,&nbsp;</li><li>optimized laboratory downtime management.&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Helium remains an essential carrier gas in gas chromatography, particularly in GC/MS applications. With rising costs and limited availability, efficient helium management is becoming increasingly important. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watrex.com/obchod/chromatography/dedicated-instruments/helium-saver/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">Watrex Helium Saver™</a> offers a practical, flexible, and fully automated solution that allows laboratories to use helium more efficiently, without compromising analytical quality.<blockquote>Contact us for more information or a non-binding quote at watrex@watrex.com.</blockquote>

More Analyses, Less Helium! Helium Savings in Gas Chromatography: Watrex Helium Saver™

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WATREX Prague is the distributor and producer of HPLC techniques in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Main Chromatografic and Related Techniques Supported: LC, GPC, IC, IEC, Automated SPE, LC Columns and special column packings, LC method development, Software development, Laboratory Robots.

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