Handle the Hassles of the Helium Shortage

Conserve helium

Conserve helium—use less carrier gas, save more money

If you can’t, or prefer not to, change your GC methods, then helium conservation is an easy approach.

Try these options:

Take advantage of gas saver mode.
Use the optional programmable helium conservation module for your Agilent 8890, 8860, 8850 or 7890B GC system.
Prevent leaks by checking and maintaining your helium infrastructure.

Combining the helium conservation module with gas saver can greatly reduce helium consumption when:

You are using split methods.
You can’t change or revalidate your method.
You need optimal GC/MS performance.

The Agilent Intuvo 9000 GC can also take advantage of gas saver mode. Plus, it allows for smaller column dimensions and faster cycle times, so it generally consumes less helium than a conventional GC.

To see how much helium your lab can save, use our helium conservation cost savings calculator.

Helium conservation module for 8890 and 8860 GC systems

Helium conservation module for 8890, 8860, and 8850 GC systems.

Gas saver

Gas saver—reduce gas use by 50% or more

As part of your GC method, gas saver works with split/splitless and multimode inlets. It reduces the split flow rate at a specified time after the injection while maintaining constant septum purge and column flow rates throughout the run. The split flow rate remains at this lower level, except during the injection. Often, the total flow can be reduced by half or more by simply using gas saver.

Gas saver can be found at the bottom of the inlets tab within the GC method, and is easy to set up:

Turn on gas saver by clicking the check box.
Define the flow. We recommend keeping this flow 10 to 15 mL/min above the resting column flow.
Set the gas saver time. If using split mode, a good time is two minutes after the injection. For splitless mode, gas saver should be enabled after the splitless purge time is complete.
Save the method. Gas saver will be enabled whenever your method is loaded and will remain on until you make another injection or load a different method.

Helium conservation

Helium conservation module—minimize helium use during GC idle time

Consider the optional helium conservation module for 8890, 8860, 8850 and 7890 GC systems that are not running continuously. It automatically switches the carrier gas supply to nitrogen during idle time, keeping the flow path inert and the system at temperature while in standby mode.

Using sleep/wake methods allows the operator to schedule times when the system switches to alternate carrier gas and lowers temperatures. It also allows the operator to schedule wake methods so the system is ready to run.

Switching from nitrogen standby back to helium carrier takes as little as 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the GC detector.

Prevent interruptions to your GC workflow by automating operation of the helium conservation module. Use the scheduler found in Agilent OpenLab CDS software or on the GC browser interface.

Helium audit

Helium audit—find and eliminate leaks

Laboratories, especially those with large helium distribution manifolds, should perform a periodic helium use audit and leak check. Doing so could reduce helium consumption and result in substantial savings.

To find leaks, use an electronic leak detector. Liquid leak detectors (especially for nitrogen) can be used, but must be applied directly to fittings and should not be used around vacuum connections.

Important: Never use Snoop. Instead, use a 50/50 mixture of isopropanol and water.

Watch this video to learn how an Agilent site reduced helium use by 40% after conducting a helium audit.

Questions? We’re here to help

Connect with our technical specialists for advice regarding helium conservation or switching to a different GC or GC/MS carrier gas.

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