Optimized Helium Consumption in the Thermo Scientific FlashSmart Elemental Analyzer

Importance of the topic

Helium is a critical carrier and reference gas in flash elemental analysis, but its increasing cost and limited availability have prompted laboratories to seek consumption‐reduction strategies or alternative gases. Optimizing gas usage not only lowers operating expenses but also supports sustainable laboratory practices.

Study objectives and overview

This technical note evaluates five workflow configurations for the Thermo Scientific FlashSmart Elemental Analyzer, aiming to minimize helium consumption during analysis and instrument standby. The configurations range from optimized software‐controlled stand‐by modes to the use of alternative gases such as nitrogen and argon.

Methodology and instrumentation

The study employed:

• Thermo Scientific FlashSmart Elemental Analyzer for CHNS/O analyses
• MultiValve Control (MVC) Module for automated gas switching
• EagerSmart Data Handling Software for Auto Stand‐By, Auto Ready and Leak Test management

Five configurations were compared:

1. Standard Stand-By mode via EagerSmart
2. Leak Test mode (EV3/EV4 closed)
3. Manual nitrogen switching in stand-by
4. Automated MVC switching between helium and nitrogen/argon
5. Full argon use as carrier and reference gas

Main results and discussion

Helium usage was calculated for an 8-hour daily operation with 16 hours of stand-by:

• Always ready: ~345 L/day
• Option 1 (Stand-By mode): ~134 L/day (≈61% saving)
• Option 2 (Leak Test): ~115 L/day (≈67% saving)
• Option 4 (MVC with N2/Ar): ~115 L/day
• Option 5 (argon): 0 L/day of helium

Cylinder lifetime increased from ~4 weeks (always ready) to ~17 weeks under optimized modes. Furnace temperature stabilization times remained acceptable (<30 min to 1 h).

Benefits and practical applications

The optimized workflows deliver:

• Significant cost reduction per analysis
• Extended helium cylinder life (up to fourfold)
• Automated gas management for improved throughput
• Flexibility to switch between gases without manual intervention

Future trends and potential applications

Advances may include integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), expanded use of alternative gases, predictive maintenance for gas circuits, and further software algorithms to tailor gas consumption to real-time analytical demands. These developments will reinforce sustainable and cost‐efficient elemental analysis.

Conclusion

The Thermo Scientific FlashSmart Elemental Analyzer, supported by the MVC Module and EagerSmart Software, enables tailored helium consumption strategies. Laboratories can achieve up to 100% helium savings by adopting argon, or reduce helium use by over 60% through optimized stand-by modes, thereby lowering operational costs and enhancing sustainability.