Laboratories that perform chromatography and other analytical techniques often face a common dilemma: the reliable and cost-effective supply of high-purity gases. Traditionally, many labs have relied on renting gas cylinders to provide the necessary nitrogen and hydrogen. However, this approach can lead to several challenges that disrupt workflow and increase operational costs. Fortunately, gas generators offer a modern, efficient solution to these problems.
Renting gas cylinders might seem convenient initially, but it brings with it a host of complications that can affect laboratory operations:
Frequent Deliveries and Inventory Management: Managing the supply of gas cylinders requires careful inventory tracking and frequent reordering to avoid running out of gas. This process is time-consuming and often leads to disruptions when deliveries are delayed or scheduled at inconvenient times.
Space and Safety Concerns: Storing multiple gas cylinders requires significant space, which can be a constraint in smaller labs. Moreover, cylinders pose safety risks, such as potential leaks, which necessitate stringent storage and handling protocols to prevent accidents.
Inconsistent Supply and Quality: The purity of gases from rented cylinders can vary, impacting the consistency of analytical results. Cylinders can also run out unexpectedly, leading to costly downtime while waiting for replacements.
High costs: Renting gas cylinders involves recurring costs, including rental fees, delivery charges, and often higher prices for the gas itself. Over time, these expenses add up, straining the laboratory's budget.
Gas generators, specifically nitrogen and hydrogen generators, provide a seamless and cost-effective alternative to traditional gas cylinders. Here’s how they can transform laboratory operations:
Continuous and Reliable Supply: Gas generators produce a continuous supply of high-purity nitrogen and hydrogen on-demand. This eliminates the risk of running out of gas and ensures that laboratory processes can continue uninterrupted.
Cost Savings: While the initial investment in gas generators might seem significant, they quickly pay for themselves by eliminating the recurring costs associated with renting cylinders. Reduced delivery fees, rental charges, and gas costs contribute to substantial long-term savings.
Improved Safety: Gas generators mitigate the risks associated with handling and storing high-pressure cylinders. They produce gas at lower pressures, reducing the potential for leaks and other hazards. This enhances the overall safety of the laboratory environment.
Space Efficiency: Gas generators are compact and can be installed directly at the point of use. This frees up valuable laboratory space that would otherwise be occupied by bulky gas cylinders.
Consistent Gas Quality: Modern gas generators are designed to produce gases at high purity levels, ensuring consistent quality for all analytical applications. This reliability is crucial for obtaining accurate and reproducible results in chromatography and other techniques.
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Nitrogen generators are particularly beneficial for applications like blowing down evaporators and preparing samples for chromatography. By providing a steady stream of nitrogen gas, these generators ensure that samples are consistently and effectively dried or concentrated, leading to more reliable analyses.
Find out how to enhance your sample preparation with a nitrogen gas generator.
For gas chromatography, hydrogen generators offer a stable and high-purity source of carrier gas. This stability is critical for achieving precise and accurate chromatographic separations. Additionally, using hydrogen as a carrier gas can enhance the efficiency and resolution of chromatographic methods.
Find out how to optimize your chromatographic performance with a hydrogen generator.
In summary, while renting gas cylinders might seem like a straightforward solution for supplying nitrogen and hydrogen gas, the associated challenges can create significant headaches for laboratory personnel. Gas generators, on the other hand, offer a reliable, cost-effective, and safe alternative that enhances operational efficiency and ensures the consistent supply of high-purity gases. By investing in gas generators, laboratories can focus more on their analytical work and less on managing their gas supplies.
Contact our team today to discuss your gas generation needs and streamline your laboratory workflow.
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