How do the Generators work?

The Hydrogen Generator works on the principle of disassociation of water through an ION Exchange Membrane to produce ultra-high purity gas.  All other Generators use a combination of molecular sieves and filtration to produce different gases suited to your instruments.

Are the Generators noisy?

The Hydrogen Generators are completely silent.  Nitrogen or Zero-Air Generators using house air supplies are also completely silent. Generators utilizing the built-in air compressors (part numbers noted with an ''A" suffix) are exceptionally quiet and feature a quiet purge (where necessary).  Any noise comes from the cycling of the on-board air compressors, where applicable.

What is the life expectancy of a Generator?

All Generators have a life expectancy of 7-10 years.  Keeping in mind that the ION Exchange Membranes from Hydrogen Generators currently in use have been running continuously for 12 years.  The sieves used in the other Generators can be regenerated and will last indefinitely, providing the compressed air supply is always clean and dry.

Is there any required maintenance?

All Generators feature minimal maintenance requirements such as the periodic changing of filters. 

How safe are the Generators?

All Generators are built with lab safety in mind, and have safety features applicable to each gas.  All Gas Generators are controlled by a mass flow controller, so it is not possible to overload the system at any time or produce low quality gases below specifications.

Can outlet pressures be adjusted?

Yes, on all Generators, either by using the Pressure Regulator provided or by using an additional Line Regulator at the instrument.

What technical Support do you provide?

Quadrex Corporation or Peak Scientific’s Technical Information Support Staff are always available to help you with your questions and problems.  Please see our Contact page if you have a technical inquiry

What about installation procedures?

Installation for each Generator is easy and only requires a connection to an electrical outlet, and dependent upon the Generator, either to your compressed air supply or to a supply of water.

Does air need to be pre-filtered before entering the Generator?

Yes, in all cases, the Generators are supplied with Pre-filters.  However, we recommend that, if your house compressed air supply is extremely oily and dirty, that a further Pre-filter be put in the line to ensure absolute air quality.

Can I hook up a back-up cylinder?

Yes, this allows the system to be totally redundant in the event of a power failure or breakdown.  It is suggested that the cylinder be hooked up using an Automatic Changeover Switch, so that it will kick in in the event of a loss of pressure at the Generator.

What happens if purity drops below a certain level?

Your first indication will be that you will notice a change in results produced at your instrument.  The Generators should be checked, filters changed, sieves and membranes examined and changed if necessary.  The Generators can be supplied with optional Oxygen Analyzers, if necessary.

Why should I buy from Peak Scientific?

Peak is dedicated only to Gas Generators.  Years of experience and knowledge give Peak the ability to satisfy your technical, commercial and personal requirements.

How safe are the Generators?

The Generators are designed with your safety in mind.  They feature automatic shut-down and visual/audible alarms to indicate high pressure or gas leaks both inside and outside the instrument.

How is the oxygen separated from hydrogen in the Generator?

The Generator features an ION Exchange Membrane in which hydrogen is produced.  Oxygen is separated from hydrogen and is bubbled off with water into a holding chamber before it is automatically vented at the rear of the instrument.

Do I need to use caustic solutions?

No, the Peak Hydrogen Generator runs on deionized water.

How much gas is stored in the Generator during operation?

Maximum quantity of gas that can be stored in the Generator at any one time cannot exceed 400 ml at a maximum pressure of 100psi.

What is the purity level?

Purity of gas is >99.9999% at maximum flow.

Does it make any noise?

No, the Generator is completely silent.

How low a grade of water can I use?

The Generator will accept deionized water @ <1µS/cm and will produce >99.9999% purity gas.  DO NOT USE TAP WATER, tap water will damage the Cell.

How do I load the Generator with water?

The Generator features an automatic loading pump which, when attached to an external water supply, will pump water into the Generator, as required, allowing the user less maintenance.  If the water supply runs low, an audible alarm will sound in the Generator to alert the user.

Can I load water manually?

Yes, simply hook up your water supply to the back of the instrument and the internal pump will fill the chamber inside the Generator, providing up to 350 liters of hydrogen from a single charge.

What are my options for hooking up to an external water source?

The Generator can be hooked up to a lab deionized water supply @ <1µS/cm or an external tank of water, which, if necessary, can be situated below the height of the Generator.

How often does the reservoir need to be filled?

A single charge of water in the Generator will supply up to 350 liters of hydrogen.  This will depend on your usage of gas.

What happens in the event of a power failure?

The Generator will automatically stop production of gas and shut down.  When power is restored, the Generator will go into standby mode and sound an audible alarm, but will not start producing gas until an attendant manually switches the instrument back on.  However, in cases where gas is being used for a carrier and where a continuous flow is vitally important, the Generator features a microprocessor control that allows the user to manually reset the system so that in the event of a power failure, the Generator will automatically restart.

How often does the desiccant need to be changed?

Desiccant will turn from orange to green indicating that a change is necessary.  This can take anywhere from 1 week to 6 weeks, depending on the size of the Generator and the gas consumed.

Can I regenerate the desiccant?

Yes, up to three times, at which point we would recommend the addition of a new desiccant to the drying cartridge.

What is the Maintenance Schedule?

Maintenance is limited to a change of the desiccant cartridge, as required.  This can be anywhere from weekly to bi-monthly, depending upon the volume of gas consumed.  For example, the HG200, running continuously for 24 hours per day, will only require a desiccant change once per month.

What technical support do you provide?

Quadrex Corporation or Peak Scientific’s Technical Information and Support Staff are always available to help with your questions and problems. 

What is the warranty?

A full 12 month warranty.

What about installation?

Installation is easy – simply connect the Generator to your electrical supply and an external water source.  The Generator will automatically pump water into the holding chamber, then, after a 4 minute “System Check”, the Generator will automatically begin producing ultra-high purity gas.  Pressure can be regulated at the rear of the instrument.

Why should I buy from Peak Scientific?

The Peak Hydrogen Generators are the only Generators available with flows ranging from 200-600 cc/min.  The ION Exchange does not require any caustic solution.  Display indicates gas production and indicates leaks in the system or line.  Safety devices indicate over-pressure and leaks.

What is the purity level of gas?

Purity level is >99.999% purity at maximum flow, which is equivalent or better than N₂ supplied by industrial gas companies in cylinders.  The nitrogen has an O₂ level <10 ppm and a moisture level <1ppm.

How does the Generator work?

The Generator uses pressure swing adsorption technology and a proprietary carbon molecular sieve.  Compressed air is fed into the sieve bed and passes through the column, where all impurities are removed.  Pure nitrogen exists at the top of the column and is stored in a small reservoir.  At a specified time, a small amount of ultra-high pure nitrogen is used to back flush the sieve bed and regenerate the system.  Gas flow is continuous and controlled by a mass flow controller.

What if I don’t need 99.999% purity?

All of the Generators can be adjusted to meet your purity and flow requirements at the factory before shipment.

What happens if I turn it off and there is power failure?

If you happen to turn off the Generator, you can simply turn it back on and start producing ultra-high purity gas immediately.  In the event of a power failure for an extended period, it is recommended that the 4 hour purge be repeated to ensure absolute gas quality.

Does it make any noise?

The Generators are available with or without an integral air compressor.  Therefore, using your own house air supply means that the Generator will be totally silent, except for a “quiet purge” once every 2 minutes.  If the Generator features an integral air compressor, it also runs exceptionally quietly, with a noise level of 59d(B).

Can I fill an external reservoir with gas?

Yes, you can.  Depending on your flow requirements for various instruments, this can sometimes be a good way of achieving a continuous flow of gas at varying pressures.

Do I ever need to change the sieve?

No, the Sieve is completely sealed in the nitrogen tubes and is only affected by exposure to oil, sunlight or the atmosphere.  If you are considering using your own compressed air supply to run the Generator, we strongly recommend the use of oil-free air or pre-filters to remove all oil from the system before entering the Sieve Beds.

Is it easy to install?

Yes, simply hook up the Generator to an electrical supply, switch on and allow for a 4 hour purge to achieve 99.999% purity before hooking the Generator up to your instrument, using the 1/8” connections at the side of the Generator.

What is the warranty?

A full 12 month warranty.

If I am using lab air, what are the requirements?

If you are using your own compressed air supply, a continuous pressure of 100 psi is required with filtration down to .01 micron before entering the Generator.  In order to size your compressor requirements correctly; please contact us.

Why should I buy from Peak Scientific?

Peak Scientific Instruments Ltd is dedicated only to Gas Generators.  Years of experience and knowledge give Peak the ability to satisfy your technical, commercial and personal requirements.

How do you guarantee purity?

Purity is guaranteed with a mass flow controller, with which you cannot overflow the system, thereby ensuring constant purity.