Handling Gas: Cylinders vs Gas Generators

Transcription

1 Handling Gas: Cylinders vs Gas Generators Lab Manager Tech Trends Webinar April 17, 2014 Presented by John Speranza of Proton On Site

2 What you will learn more about today The various advantages and disadvantages of both cylinder and gas generator systems Recent developments in gas generation and gas generator technology Higher reliability Better quality Larger capacities The elimination of chemicals The Helium Crisis and switching to hydrogen carrier gas How to implement a switch from cylinder to gas generator usage 2

3 Helium and Hydrogen 3

4 Hydrogen and Helium Traditional Modes of Supply Hydrogen Helium 4

5 Hydrogen and Helium Traditional Modes of Supply Traditional modes of supply for hydrogen and helium gas to the analytical laboratory market vary depending on the usage rate and distance from central production or distribution facilities The delivery of industrial gases by these methods has occurred for many years with a relatively good safety record The cost of delivered gas is highly dependent on the cost of fuel and handling The cost and availability of helium has been adversely affected by the global helium shortage 5

6 Hydrogen and Helium Production Locations Liquid Hydrogen Plants and Helium Reserves helium reserve 6

7 Helium The Problem A Global Shortage = High Prices + Unsecure Supply Helium is an element that has a limited supply Helium is mined, not produced Global helium demand is outstripping supply Over 50% of the U.S. supply of helium comes from the U.S. helium reserve in Texas The price of helium has increased by 50% in the past three years and is expected to continue to rise Helium supply has begun to be rationed to reserve supply for critical applications such as MRI and military applications 7

8 Helium The Problem A Global Shortage = High Prices + Unsecure Supply KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Feb. 11, 2014) If you ve been in the market for celebration or party balloons, you may have run into the helium shortage. The federal government has a helium reserve in Texas, about ten billion cubic feet of the element providing nearly half of the nation s supply. That reserve is expected to fall below three billion cubic feet within the next six years. When that happens, the government supply of helium will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. That s a scary proposition for those who rely on the element. I think we are going to be trying to avoid the use of helium in the future or doing the recapture, said Dr. Barcelona. Those are really the two alternatives we have. 8

9 Helium Shortage The Economical Solution Onsite Hydrogen Generation An onsite hydrogen generator can safely and efficiently provide both FID and Carrier Gas for gas chromatography applications while providing a ROI that is measured in weeks on average VS = 12 week ROI (avg) 9

10 Helium Shortage The Safer Solution Onsite Hydrogen Generation An onsite hydrogen generator, whether large or small, has a limited capacity to deliver hydrogen into a laboratory space Ability to feed a leak is limited to a maximum of 18.8 lpm for the largest lab server Onsite gas generator (< 1 liter of H2) Central Lab Server options Ability to feed a leak is limited to the total stored volume of gas, which could be 1000 s of scf 12 pack of cylinder (>3600 scf of H2) 10

11 Helium Shortage The Solution Onsite Hydrogen Generation An onsite hydrogen generator eliminates the safety concerns with hydrogen gas storage in the laboratory by generating hydrogen on demand Hydrogen production = 150 cc/min Process Demand = 150 cc/min 11

12 Helium Shortage The Solution Onsite Hydrogen Generation An onsite hydrogen generator eliminates the safety concerns with hydrogen gas storage in the laboratory by generating hydrogen on demand Hydrogen production follows demand Hydrogen production = 200 cc/min Process Demand = 200 cc/min 12

13 Hydrogen Onsite Generation Capacities Up to 3x Per Month Point of Use Up to 4x Per Day Central Lab Server 13

14 Helium Shortage The Solution Onsite Hydrogen Generation Onsite hydrogen generation can cover a wide range of demands with one system 1 cc/min to 18.6 lpm Central Lab Server Limited High Pressure Cylinder Storage 14

15 Nitrogen 15

16 Nitrogen Traditional Modes of Supply Individual Cylinders Packaged Cylinders Tube Trailers Liquid N2 Dewars 16

17 Nitrogen The Hazard - Asphyxiation 17

18 Nitrogen Safety - The Enemy is Volume A nitrogen dewar can lower oxygen levels in the average lab space to very dangerous levels in a matter of seconds if a leak occurs because of the high volume of gas stored in a relatively small space 5000 scf on average scf on average 18

19 Nitrogen Safety Your Friend is Onsite and On Demand A nitrogen onsite gas generator has a limited capacity and cannot create a dangerously low oxygen level if the lab is ventilated to OSHA standards 1-5 scf/min on average scf on average 19

20 Nitrogen Onsite Generation Capacities Up to 7x Per Day Up to 2x Per Week 20

21 Onsite Gas Generator Advancements 21

22 Onsite Gas Generator Advancements Higher Reliability Advancements in small compressor technology have extended life and decreased frequency of maintenance cycles Better Quality Manufacturers with ISO9001 certification and international safety standard compliance have entered the market Larger Capacities Hydrogen gas generators with larger capacities have been introduced in response to the helium supply shortage issue The Elimination of Chemicals Advanced hydrogen generation technology (PEM) that does not utilize caustic chemicals (KOH) has been proven to be an economical and reliable supply method for FID and Carrier gas applications 22

23 Our Analytical Laboratory Gas Generator Product Line 23

24 Our Products for the Lab Market Stackable Wall mountable Point of Use Hydrogen Products Nitrogen Products Integrated compressor Central Lab Server 24

25 Thinking about switching from cylinders to gas generators? Need help with your helium to hydrogen conversion? Visit our website OR Contact Proton On Site at