How to Combat the Helium Shortage: Making the Switch from Helium to Hydrogen or Nitrogen Carrier Gas

Importance of the Topic

The global scarcity and rising cost of helium present significant challenges for gas chromatography laboratories. As helium supply becomes increasingly unreliable, analytical chemists must explore alternative carrier gases to maintain throughput, control expenses, and ensure continuity of critical analyses in research, quality control, and industrial settings.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note by Agilent Technologies investigates strategies to conserve helium and migrate existing GC methods to hydrogen or nitrogen carriers without extensive revalidation. The study outlines decision guides, hardware and software tools for gas saving, and practical case studies demonstrating successful method translation for routine and advanced GC and GC/MS applications.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Key techniques include:

• Helium Gas Saver – software-controlled split flow reduction during injections to minimize idle gas use.
• Programmable Helium Conservation Module – integrated AUX EPC on Agilent 7890B, 8860, and 8890 systems that switches between helium and nitrogen during sleep/wake cycles.
• Decision Tree Framework – stepwise guide to assess willingness to change gases, instrument type (GC or GC/MS), and required resolution, leading to recommendations for helium conservation or migration to N2 or H2.
• Method Translation Software – built-in calculator in Agilent OpenLab CDS and standalone Windows tool for flow and pressure adjustments when switching carriers.
• Case Study Instrumentation – Agilent GC systems with FID and MSD detectors, Deans switch or secondary pump for two-dimensional GC, hydrogen generators (e.g., Parker H-MD), high-purity nitrogen cylinders, and leak detector G3388B.

Main Results and Discussion

Helium conservation tools reduced carrier gas consumption by over 80%, extending cylinder life from weeks to months and cutting annual gas costs by up to 75%. Switching to nitrogen carrier using constant holdup time maintained retention order and peak resolution for methods such as ASTM D4815 (ethanol in gasoline) and D6584 (glycerin in biodiesel) with minimal changes. Hydrogen provided higher linear velocities and faster runs for resolution-critical applications, though safety and potential chemical reactivity in MSD systems require careful validation. Two-dimensional GC applications particularly benefit from nitrogen’s inertness and the dual-column separation inherent in Deans switch configurations.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Seamless integration of conservation modules avoids method revalidation.
• Automated sleep/wake switching safeguards against contamination and ensures rapid startup.
• Nitrogen offers a low-cost, nonreactive alternative for routine GC and two-dimensional separations.
• Hydrogen enables faster analysis and retains high efficiency when safety protocols are followed.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging advancements include tighter integration of gas conservation features within chromatographic software, real-time gas usage monitoring, and expanded adoption of hydrogen generators with built-in purification. Development of standardized validation protocols for MSD with hydrogen carrier gas and further optimization of two-dimensional GC techniques with alternative gases will enhance method robustness and laboratory sustainability.

Conclusion

Combating the helium shortage requires a multifaceted approach combining gas-saving hardware and software, informed decision frameworks, and targeted method migration to hydrogen or nitrogen. Agilent’s integrated solutions demonstrate significant cost savings, reliable performance, and minimal disruption to existing workflows, ensuring continued analytical capability despite helium supply constraints.

Reference

Mark Sinnott, Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, ‘‘How to Combat the Helium Shortage: Making the Switch from Helium to Hydrogen or Nitrogen Carrier Gas,’’ December 5, 2019.