Hydrogen Gas Generators
Hydrogen, the safest and most practical solution for GC carrier gas, offering an efficient alternative to helium.
Are you looking for a high-quality hydrogen supply for your GC carrier gas? To ensure reliable GC and GC-MS analytical results, a high-quality hydrogen supply is essential. F-DGSi’s COSMOS hydrogen generators are an economical and safe alternative to high-pressure gas cylinders. With their low maintenance requirements and high performance, these laboratory hydrogen generators are the ideal solution for all your analytical applications.
Our hydrogen gas generators offer unrivalled reliability for GC carrier gas. Our COSMOS H2 range includes standard hydrogen models as well as a high-purity hydrogen version, all of which can be stacked to take up as little space as possible on the rest of our COSMOS range. Equipped with PEM technology, with flow rates ranging from 100cc/min to 1500cc/min, COSMOS gas generators produce hydrogen on demand with purities of up to 99.9999%. Our hydrogen generators are available both benchtop and rack-mounted, with different purities depending on the sensitivity required for your analyses.
COSMOS hydrogen generators from F-DGSi
COSMOS benchtop series
COSMOS hydrogen generators are an essential and safer alternative to gas cylinders. Today, laboratories are turning to this solution to supply GC detectors and carrier gas. Combining convenience and reliability, our hydrogen generators can thus meet their requirements by offering a constant gas quality and numerous safety features compared to traditional gas sources. Depending on the sensitivity required for your analysis, three models of hydrogen generators are available. The design of these generators have been conceived to be easily integrated on a bench.
COSMOS Rackable series
The Rack Series hydrogen generators have the same technologies and characteristics as a COSMOS generator. However, the design is revised to be integrated in standard size racks (19 inches), which gives them a significant space saving. This system is ideal for laboratories with no space on their bench.
High-performance hydrogen generators for specific laboratory needs.
Hydrogen, an essential laboratory gas for various analyses and semi-industrial applications, can be generated by the F-DGSi generators.
F-DGSi distinguishes itself in the development of high-quality hydrogen generators, specially designed for laboratories in various applications, such as gas chromatography (GC) as a fuel or carrier gas, and in ICP-MS applications as a collision gas.
With their unique features, our generators offer a reliable and practical alternative to gas cylinders and helium as a carrier gas. They meet the exacting standards of leading analytical instrument manufacturers.
Hydrogen generators use a proton exchange membrane (PEM) to produce hydrogen from water. When you choose an F-DGSi laboratory hydrogen generator, you’re choosing a reliable, long-lasting generator for your analytical laboratory. Our hydrogen generators deliver hydrogen at flow rates ranging from 100cc/min to 1500cc/min and purities of up to 99.9999%, guaranteeing consistent purity and eliminating the risk of gas quality variations influencing analysis results.
Choose the unrivalled performance of F-DGSi hydrogen generators, the ideal solution for gas chromatography (GC) applications. This economical and safe alternative to helium and conventional gas cylinders guarantees a safe, consistent and reliable gas source, while offering a more practical and environmentally friendly approach thanks to hydrogen produced on-site, without the need for cylinders.
How does a hydrogen generator work? What is a hydrogen generator?
A hydrogen generator is a device designed to produce hydrogen by electrolyzing distilled or deionized water, with a conductivity of less than 0.1 μS, through a polymeric ion exchange membrane. Inside the generator, a polymer membrane cell (PEM) is used to carry out the electrolysis process. This cell contains two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, separated by a membrane. When water is introduced into the generator and electricity is supplied, the electrolysis reaction takes place. Hydrogen ions are attracted to the cathode, while oxygen ions migrate to the anode. Water is thus broken down into hydrogen and oxygen.
The hydrogen thus produced is then purified and dried using various technologies, such as adsorption drying with automatic regeneration on two cartridges, desiccant cartridge drying and Permapure drying, to achieve the purity required for specific applications.
The differents Hydrogen Purification Technology available
Hydrogen generators PEM technology - Pressure adsorption drying system with sorbent
Adsorption drying technology works by alternating the flow through two molecular sieve-filled columns. While the hydrogen passes through one column to be dried, a small amount of gas is passed through the second column to regenerate the adsorbent. Regularly, the two columns alternate between purification and regeneration mode, extending the life of the cartridges so that they do not need to be replaced. This technology delivers high-purity hydrogen quality with an O2 content < 0.1 ppm and a dew point < -75°C. As an option, a cold palladium catalyst can be added to reduce oxygen levels to < 0.01 ppm and humidity < 1 ppm.
Hydrogen generators PEM technology - Molecular desiccant cartridge system
The cartridge drying system removes moisture from hydrogen gas via a silica-bead absorbent. This technology is very common and easy to use. Simply change the desiccant when it becomes saturated with water.
Hydrogen generators PEM technology - Permapure drying system
Permapure technology dries hydrogen by transferring molecules from one side of the membrane to the other by kinetic force, leaving the hydrogen gas stream intact and free of moisture. This technology is the most economical, but also offers the lowest hydrogen purity.
Why use a hydrogen generator?
There are several significant advantages to using a hydrogen generator. Firstly, hydrogen generators offer a safer and more practical solution than using high-pressure hydrogen cylinders. They guarantee consistent purity of the hydrogen produced, eliminating the risk of contamination that can occur when cylinders are replaced.
Hydrogen generators are also cost-effective, reducing the costs associated with cylinder purchase, delivery and replacement. They also provide a continuous source of hydrogen on demand, eliminating potential interruptions to processes or experiments. What’s more, using a hydrogen generator is an environmentally-friendly option, reducing the carbon footprint by avoiding frequent cylinder transport and ensuring more sustainable resource management in laboratories and industrial facilities.
Where can I safely install a gas generator?
When considering the installation of a hydrogen generator, safety is paramount. Unlike gas cylinders, which are usually placed outdoors for safety reasons, a gas generator can be easily integrated into your laboratory. Whether next to your equipment, on a flat surface (on the floor, for example) or on a benchtop, gas generators offer remarkable installation flexibility.
F-DGSi’s COSMOS gas generation solutions are designed to be complete, silent, safe and space-saving. Their stackable design allows them to be easily placed alongside GC or other applications, offering seamless integration into your laboratory environment.
To ensure optimal operation, it’s crucial to maintain adequate airflow around the hydrogen generator. This not only promotes efficient ventilation, but also prevents heat build-up. To achieve this, make sure the generator is installed on a flat, level surface, with at least 15 cm clearance between it and other components.
By following these installation recommendations, you can ensure safe and efficient operation of your gas generator, while optimizing the performance of your laboratory.
Hydrogen generators, a safer, more practical alternative
Swap the gas cylinders for a Hydrogen generator
Hydrogen generators have become the preferred method of using hydrogen in the laboratory because they are safer and less bulky, less dangerous than gas cylinders. By simple electrolysis of water, our hydrogen generators will deliver, on demand, a quality of high purity gas that your applications need such as the supply of detectors and GC carrier gases. Once installed, a hydrogen generator will provide hydrogen with constant purity 24 hours a day.
A hydrogen generator avoids any breakdown of analyzes compared to the gas cylinders which will have to be ordered and replaced and eliminates the risk of variation in the quality of the gas. In fact, when changing cylinders, contaminants can enter the gas lines, affecting the analysis results.
In terms of safety, a hydrogen generator has several advantages:
- it produces gas on demand, which means that only the amount needed for GC is produced at a regulated flow rate and controlled pressure.
- it is equipped with internal and external leak checks as well as an automatic shut-off function to stop the production of hydrogen.
- the volume of internal hydrogen stored is small (<50ml), compared to cylinders that store up to 9000 L at extremely high pressure (~ 2000-3000 psi).
- it has the detection of various faults (water quality and level, information on the condition of the cell).
- real-time monitoring of gas pressure to prevent overpressure and the flow of hydrogen produced.
- it can be connected to a hydrogen probe to detect the presence of hydrogen in the GC oven.
Swap from Helium to Hydrogen
Helium is commonly used in gas chromatography (GC) as a carrier gas. But the difficulty in obtaining this gas has prompted laboratories to reconsider their supply of the gas, which can lead to delays in sample analysis and overall disruption of daily workflow. Indeed, a helium shortage has begun to surface. As a result, many laboratories are now turning to hydrogen as an alternative to helium, the price of which is increasing as its availability continues to decrease year after year. When all the criteria are taken into account, it is easy to understand what motivates them: reliability, speed of analysis (cut in half), economy and peace of mind.
As a result, many GC manufacturers have actively begun to recommend replacing helium with hydrogen gas by using a hydrogen generator as the carrier gas.
Gas generators are more reliable, safer, more aesthetically pleasing, take up less space, and do not require moving bulky cylinders around the lab.
Hydrogen has many advantages:
- Faster analysis: The diffusion rate of hydrogen and helium is about the same, but hydrogen is half as viscous as helium and, therefore, the linear velocity of the gas is higher and retention times are shorter in isothermal analysis.
- High efficiency: Hydrogen has the flattest Van Deemter curve compared to helium and nitrogen, hydrogen needs the lowest number of plates to achieve the same resolution over a wide range of linear velocities.
- Cost reduction: A GC grade hydrogen tank is about 3 times less expensive than its helium equivalent.
- Availability: Hydrogen is readily available through water electrolysis and with an F-DGSi gas generator, it can be produced on demand.
- More environmentally friendly: A hydrogen generator requires only a single delivery for installation. From then on, your hydrogen generator stays in the lab. Plus, it produces hydrogen gas from deionized water.
You don’t have to worry about running out of carrier gas mid-analysis!
Benefits of On-site Hydrogen Generators over helium or hydrogen gas cylinders
Laboratories routinely use hydrogen or helium cylinders for their analytical needs, particularly for gas chromatography (GC). However, the supply of gas from these cylinders can cause unnecessary disruption to analyses, not least because of the management of cylinder ends and regular cylinder changes.
In addition, gas cylinders present disadvantages in terms of cost, space requirements and potential health and safety risks when not handled correctly.
Laboratory hydrogen generators represent a modern solution to these challenges. By eliminating the need for cylinders, they provide a constant, secure supply of hydrogen for gas chromatography instruments.
State-of-the-art safety thanks to on-site hydrogen production
Safety is a major concern in any laboratory. With hydrogen generators, on-site gas production eliminates the potential risks associated with storing and handling gas cylinders. Unlike cylinders, generators produce hydrogen on demand, at a controlled level and low pressure, reducing the risk of leaks and accidents.
Importantly, hydrogen generators do not store hydrogen. Even in the event of an accidental leak, only a minimal amount of hydrogen is released, eliminating any danger of explosion. They are equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic leak detection, ensuring a safe, worry-free working environment for researchers and technicians.
For those still concerned about the use of hydrogen as a carrier gas, we offer hydrogen probes on request. Choose a safe and reliable solution with our COSMOS hydrogen generators.
Cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency with a hydrogen generator
In addition to safety considerations, gas generators also offer significant economic advantages. By eliminating the costs associated with purchasing, delivering and maintaining gas cylinders, generators represent a sound investment for laboratories. In addition, on-site gas production reduces downtime associated with cylinder changes, enabling more efficient use of laboratory time and resources.
With a return on investment typically less than a year, hydrogen generators are a cost-effective solution for laboratories of all sizes.
Respect for the environment: a sustainable approach with hydrogen generators
In addition to the benefits in terms of safety and operational efficiency, gas generators also contribute to environmental sustainability. By replacing helium cylinders with hydrogen generators, laboratories reduce their carbon footprint by limiting travel and regular gas deliveries.
What’s more, on-site hydrogen production uses renewable resources such as air and water, reducing the environmental impact of laboratory activity.
Investing in an on-site hydrogen generator for your laboratory goes far beyond simply improving infrastructure. It’s an investment in your laboratory’s safety, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
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