Addressing gas conservation challenges when using helium or hydrogen as GC carrier gas

Importance of the topic

With increasing helium costs and limited global supply, conserving carrier gas in gas chromatography is essential. Simultaneously, hydrogen offers performance benefits but poses safety and validation challenges. An efficient inlet design can address both sustainability and operational safety while preserving analytical integrity.

Objectives and overview

This technical note presents the Thermo Scientific™ HeSaver-H2Safer™ technology integrated into the iConnect split/splitless injector of the TRACE 1600 Series GC. It aims to dramatically reduce helium use or safely limit hydrogen flow without altering established methods or compromising chromatographic performance.

Methodology and instrumentation

HeSaver-H2Safer modifies the standard SSL injector to include two gas feeds: an inexpensive inert pressurizing gas (e.g., nitrogen) and a carrier gas line (helium or hydrogen). An automated valve switches between low carrier flow (0.1 mL/min) during injection and higher flow (9 mL/min) during separation. Two modes are provided:

• HeSaver: Reduces helium consumption by using nitrogen to pressurize split and purge flows.
• H2Safer: Caps hydrogen supply to safe levels, eliminating the need for oven leak sensors.

Instrumental setup:

• Thermo Scientific TRACE 1600 Series GC
• iConnect split/splitless injector with HeSaver-H2Safer option
• Thermo Scientific AI 1610 autosampler
• iConnect FID detector

Main results and discussion

– Helium consumption decreased by 72%, extending cylinder life from 7.5 months to 2 years in continuous operation.
– Retention time shifts for C10–C25 alkanes remained within ±0.01 min versus a standard SSL for both modes.
– Peak area repeatability (RSD) was below 1% in split and splitless injections.
– Recovery of high-boiling alkanes up to C40 exceeded 90% relative to C20.
– MS baseline studies confirmed rapid nitrogen purge and no bleed into the column during separation.

Benefits and practical applications

HeSaver-H2Safer offers:

• Cost savings and extended helium supply without revalidating existing methods.
• Safe hydrogen use by limiting flow and avoiding additional leak sensors.
• Improved inertness and reduced carryover through rapid column purging.
• Faster injector maintenance by maintaining column flow during disassembly.

Future trends and applications

Potential developments include integrated real-time gas flow monitoring, adaptive control of carrier gases beyond helium and hydrogen, and digital connectivity for lab-wide resource optimization. The concept may expand to other GC platforms and detectors to further enhance sustainability.

Conclusion

The HeSaver-H2Safer technology for the TRACE 1600 Series GC provides a user-installable solution to conserve helium or safely limit hydrogen use while maintaining validated methods and high analytical performance. It addresses cost, environmental, and safety concerns in modern GC laboratories.

Reference

1. “The Science Of Helium And Why Global Supplies Are Running Low,” Short Wave, NPR.
2. Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Helium Carrier Gas Conserving Inlet for Gas Chromatography,” Poster PN-10410, 2014.
3. J. Doe. “The Noble Undertaking of Helium Conservation,” The Analytical Scientist, 2020.
4. Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Upgrade Your iConnect SSL with the HeSaver-H2Safer Option,” Video, 2022.
5. Thermo Fisher Scientific. “HeSaver-H2Safer Injector Body Removal Guide,” Video, 2022.