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    5955-5398 Hydrogen Safety Guide

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    hao.zhang.mce
    1) Hydrogen is a commonly used gas chromatograph carrier gas but is potentially explosive and dangerous if it accumulates in the mass spectrometer. 2) Hydrogen can accumulate in the mass spectrometer through mechanisms like the mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph shutting down or isolating valves closing, without stopping the flow of carrier gas. 3) Once hydrogen has accumulated in the mass spectrometer, extreme caution must be used during startup to avoid an explosion.

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    5955-5398 Hydrogen Safety Guide

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    hao.zhang.mce
    18 views10 pages
    1) Hydrogen is a commonly used gas chromatograph carrier gas but is potentially explosive and dangerous if it accumulates in the mass spectrometer. 2) Hydrogen can accumulate in the mass spectrometer through mechanisms like the mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph shutting down or isolating valves closing, without stopping the flow of carrier gas. 3) Once hydrogen has accumulated in the mass spectrometer, extreme caution must be used during startup to avoid an explosion.

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    1) Hydrogen is a commonly used gas chromatograph carrier gas but is potentially explosive and dangerous if it accumulates in the mass spectrometer. 2) Hydrogen can accumulate in the mass spectrometer through mechanisms like the mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph shutting down or isolating valves closing, without stopping the flow of carrier gas. 3) Once hydrogen has accumulated in the mass spectrometer, extreme caution must be used during startup to avoid an explosion.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    18 views10 pages

    5955-5398 Hydrogen Safety Guide

    Uploaded by

    hao.zhang.mce
    1) Hydrogen is a commonly used gas chromatograph carrier gas but is potentially explosive and dangerous if it accumulates in the mass spectrometer. 2) Hydrogen can accumulate in the mass spectrometer through mechanisms like the mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph shutting down or isolating valves closing, without stopping the flow of carrier gas. 3) Once hydrogen has accumulated in the mass spectrometer, extreme caution must be used during startup to avoid an explosion.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 10

    Hydrogen Carrier Gas Safety Guide

    © Agilent Technologies 2001, 2002 Safety Information CAUTION


    All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, Agilent Technologies Mass Spectrometer A caution calls attention to a condition or
    adaptation, or translation without and Gas Chromatograph instruments meet possible situation that could damage or
    permission is prohibited, except as allowed the following IEC (International destroy the product or the user’s work.
    under the copyright laws.
    Part number 5955-5398
    Electrotechnical Commission)
    classifications: Safety Class 1, Transient + Indicates a hot surface
    Overvoltage Category II, and Pollution
    Second Edition, AUG 2002
    First Edition, AUG 2001
    Degree 2. * Indicates earth (ground) terminal
    These units have been designed and tested Sound Emission Certification for Federal
    in accordance with recognized safety Republic of Germany
    Printed in USA standards and are designed for use indoors.
    Sound pressure Lp < 68 dB(A)
    If the instrument is used in a manner not
    specified by the manufacturer, the During normal operation
    protection provided by the instrument may At the operator position
    be impaired. Whenever the safety protection According to ISO 7779 (Type Test)
    of the instrument has been compromised, Schallemission
    disconnect the unit from all power sources
    Schalldruckpegel LP < 68 dB(A)
    and secure the unit against unintended
    Am Arbeitsplatz
    operation.
    Normaler Betrieb
    Refer servicing to qualified service Nach DIN 45635 T. 19 (Typprüfung)
    personnel. Substituting parts or performing
    any unauthorized modification to the
    instrument may result in a safety hazard.
    Disconnect the AC power cord before
    removing covers. The customer should not
    attempt to replace the battery or fuses in
    this instrument. The battery contained in
    this instrument is recyclable.
    Safety Symbols
    Warnings in the manual or on the
    instrument must be observed during all
    phases of operation, service, and repair of
    this instrument. Failure to comply with these
    precautions violates safety standards of
    design and the intended use of the
    instrument. Agilent Technologies assumes
    no liability for the customer’s failure to
    comply with these requirements.
    WARNING
    A warning calls attention to a condition or
    possible situation that could cause injury to
    the user.

    Agilent Technologies, Inc.


    2850 Centerville Road
    Wilmington, DE 19808-1610
    USA
    Manual Conventions
    Caution Cautions call attention to procedures which, if not correctly performed or
    adhered to, could result in damage to the instrument or loss of data.

    WARNING Warnings call attention to procedures which, if not correctly performed or


    adhered to, could result in personal injury.

    Hydrogen (H2) Carrier Gas


    The use of hydrogen as a GC carrier gas is potentially dangerous
    Hydrogen is a commonly used GC carrier gas. Hydrogen is potentially
    explosive and has other dangerous characteristics.
    • Hydrogen is combustible over a wide range of concentrations. At
    atmospheric pressure, hydrogen is combustible at concentrations from
    4% to 74.2% by volume.
    • Hydrogen has the highest burning velocity of any gas.
    • Hydrogen has a very low ignition energy.
    • Hydrogen that is allowed to expand rapidly from high pressure can
    self-ignite.
    • Hydrogen burns with a nonluminous flame which can be invisible under
    bright light.

    WARNING Hydrogen is potentially explosive. Take extreme care when using hydrogen
    as the GC carrier gas in a GC/MS system.

    Some dangers are general, others are unique to GC/MS operation


    Hydrogen presents a number of dangers. Some are general, others are
    unique to GC or GC/MS operation. Dangers include, but are not limited to:
    • Combustion of leaking hydrogen.

    3
    • Combustion due to rapid expansion of hydrogen from a high-pressure
    cylinder.
    • Accumulation of hydrogen in the GC oven and subsequent combustion
    (see your GC documentation and the label on the top edge of the GC
    oven door).
    • Accumulation of hydrogen in the mass spectrometer and subsequent
    combustion.

    In a mass spectrometer, hydrogen can accumulate several ways


    All users should be aware of the mechanisms by which hydrogen can
    accumulate and know what precautions to take if they know or suspect that
    hydrogen has accumulated.

    4
    Mechanism Results
    Mass spectrometer off A mass spectrometer can be shut down deliberately. It can
    also be shut down accidentally by an internal or external
    failure. A mass spectrometer shutdown does not shut off
    the flow of carrier gas. As a result, hydrogen may slowly
    accumulate in the mass spectrometer.
    Mass spectrometer Some mass spectrometers are equipped with automated
    automated isolation diffusion pump isolation valves. In these instruments,
    valves closed deliberate operator action or various failures can cause the
    isolation valves to close. Isolation valve closure does not
    shut off the flow of carrier gas. As a result, hydrogen may
    slowly accumulate in the mass spectrometer.
    Mass spectrometer Some mass spectrometers are equipped with manual
    manual isolation valves diffusion pump isolation valves. In these instruments, the
    closed operator can close the isolation valves. Closing the
    isolation valves does not shut off the flow of carrier gas.
    As a result, hydrogen may slowly accumulate in the mass
    spectrometer.
    GC off A GC can be shut down deliberately. It can also be shut
    down accidentally by an internal or external failure.
    Different GCs react in different ways. If a 5890 GC
    equipped with Electronic Pressure Control (EPC) is shut
    off, the EPC does not stop the flow of carrier gas. It
    increases the flow of carrier gas to its maximum. This flow
    may be more than some mass spectrometers can pump
    away, resulting in the accumulation of hydrogen in the
    mass spectrometer. If the mass spectrometer is shut off at
    the same time, the accumulation can be fairly rapid.
    Power failure If the power fails, both the GC and mass spectrometer shut
    down. The carrier gas, however, is not necessarily shut
    down. As described previously, in some GCs a power
    failure may cause the carrier gas flow to be set to
    maximum. As a result, hydrogen may accumulate in the
    mass spectrometer.

    5
    WARNING Once hydrogen has accumulated in a mass spectrometer, extreme caution
    must be used when removing it. Incorrect startup of a mass spectrometer
    filled with hydrogen can cause an explosion.

    WARNING After a power failure, the mass spectrometer may start up and begin the
    pumpdown process by itself. This does not guarantee that all hydrogen has
    been removed from the system or that the explosion hazard has been
    removed.

    Precautions to Take
    Take the following precautions when operating a GC/MS system with
    hydrogen carrier gas. Take these precautions even if they contradict the
    instructions provided with your mass spectrometer.

    Equipment precautions
    • On 5971 or 5972 MSDs and G1800 GCDs, make sure the analyzer
    shipping clamps are installed and all covers are properly secured. The
    clamps should only be finger tight. Overtightening the shipping clamps
    can cause air leaks. Part numbers for the shipping clamps are:

    5971 MSD 05971-00210 (front)


    05971-00211 (rear)
    5972 MSD 05972-00200 (set)
    G1800 GCD G1800-00008 (set)

    • On 5973 MSDs, make sure the front side-plate thumbscrew is fastened


    finger tight. Do not overtighten the thumbscrew; it can cause air leaks.
    • On 5989A/B MS Engines, install the safety kit (5989-20737) before
    operating with hydrogen carrier gas.
    • Install an automatic shutoff valve (such as the 19246S Gas Saver for the
    5890 GC) that will shut off hydrogen flow in the event of a power failure.

    6
    WARNING Failure to secure your mass spectrometer as described above greatly
    increases the chance of personal injury in the event of an explosion.

    General laboratory precautions


    • Avoid leaks in the carrier gas lines. Use leak-checking equipment to
    periodically check for hydrogen leaks.
    • Eliminate from your laboratory as many ignition sources as possible
    (open flames, devices that can spark, sources of static electricity, etc.).
    • Do not allow hydrogen from a high pressure cylinder to vent directly to
    atmosphere (danger of self-ignition).
    • Use a hydrogen generator instead of bottled hydrogen.

    Operating precautions
    • Turn off the hydrogen at its source every time you shut down the GC
    or MS.
    • Turn off the hydrogen at its source every time you vent the mass
    spectrometer (do not heat the capillary column without carrier gas
    flow).
    • Turn off the hydrogen at its source every time isolation valves in a mass
    spectrometer are closed (do not heat the capillary column without
    carrier gas flow).
    • Turn off the hydrogen at its source if a power failure occurs.
    • If a power failure occurs while the GC/MS system is unattended, even if
    the system has restarted by itself:
    1. Immediately turn off the hydrogen at its source.
    2. Turn off the GC.
    3. Turn off the mass spectrometer and allow it to cool for 1 hour.
    4. Eliminate all potential sources of ignition in the room.
    5. Open the vacuum manifold of the mass spectrometer to
    atmosphere (remove the manifold window or analyzer or open
    the side-plate; do not just open the vent valve).

    7
    6. Wait at least 10 minutes to allow any hydrogen to dissipate.
    7. Start up the GC and mass spectrometer as normal.
    • Never turn on an ion or triode pressure gauge until the mass
    spectrometer has completed its pumpdown cycle.

    8
    Printed on recycled paper.

    This product is recyclable.

    Agilent Technologies, Inc.


    Printed in USA, AUG 2002

    5955-5398

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