Countermeasures and Solutions for Helium Gas Supply Shortages - GCMS

Importance of the Topic

The global shortage and rising cost of helium present significant challenges for laboratories relying on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Helium’s unique inertness and chromatographic performance have made it the standard carrier gas, but supply constraints drive the need for consumption reduction and alternative gas strategies. Ensuring uninterrupted analytical workflows and controlling operating expenses requires a structured approach to minimize helium usage and evaluate hydrogen and nitrogen as substitutes.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This whitepaper from Shimadzu outlines a comprehensive set of countermeasures against helium scarcity. The goals are to:

• Review techniques to lower helium consumption during GC–MS operation.
• Assess hydrogen and nitrogen as alternative carrier gases, including performance trade-offs.
• Recommend system-specific adaptations for various sample introduction modules.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Multiple strategies were evaluated on Shimadzu GCMS QP-series and Nexis GC platforms:

• Carrier Gas Saver Mode: reduces split flow after injection to cut helium use by ~74% per run.
• Ecology Mode: lowers total flow during standby, achieving 60% savings between analyses.
• Gas Selector Option: automatic switch to nitrogen during idle periods, further extending cylinder life by up to 90%.
• High-Purity Gas Filters: remove moisture, oxygen and hydrocarbons, enabling use of 99.995% helium with performance similar to 99.9999%.
• Scheduled Shutdown: shutting down GC–MS over weekends reduces helium use by ~40 L per 48 h.

Použitá instrumentace

• Shimadzu GCMS-QP2010 Ultra and TQ-series systems with carrier gas saver and ecology functions.
• Nexis GC-2030 with gas selector option.
• Headspace Sampler HS-20 NX, Thermal Desorption TD-30/20, Purge & Trap PT7000/PT6000.
• Multi-functional Autosamplers AOC-6000/5000 and Multi-Shot Pyrolyzers PY-3030D/PY-2020iD.
• Hydrogen sensors and safety accessories for leak detection.

Key Findings and Discussion

Reducing Helium Consumption:

• Combined carrier gas saver and ecology modes can extend a 7000 L cylinder from ~98 to ~264 days.
• Gas selector integration yields over 70% reduction when switching to nitrogen during idle times.

Hydrogen as Carrier Gas:

• Sensitivity typically drops to 20–33% of helium, but separation performance remains high at increased linear velocities, supporting faster runs.
• Mass spectral library matches decline by 10–20 points; retention indices can be corrected using AART functions.
• Safety requirements demand hydrogen sensors and proper ventilation or generators.

Nitrogen as Carrier Gas:

• Sensitivity often falls to <10% of helium, with best separation at low linear velocities, leading to longer run times.
• Column dimensions must be reduced (e.g., 20 m × 0.18 mm) to mitigate flow limitations.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Substantial cost savings through lower helium cylinder purchases and reduced downtime.
• Continuous operation during global shortages by adopting hydrogen or nitrogen backup strategies.
• Enhanced sustainability and reduced gas waste with automated modes and filtration.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advancements likely include integrated ECO simulation tools for real-time savings modeling, wider adoption of on-site hydrogen generators with safety interlocks, and development of tailored columns and methods for alternative gases. Machine-learning-driven retention time prediction and automated method translation services (e.g., EZGC Translator) will further streamline transitions away from helium.

Conclusion

A strategic combination of helium conservation modes, gas switching, and alternative carriers allows laboratories to maintain GC–MS performance under supply constraints. Hydrogen emerges as the preferred substitute when safety protocols are met, while nitrogen serves niche applications with careful method adjustments. Implementing these measures ensures analytical continuity, cost control, and sustainable operation in the face of helium shortages.