It seems to be ignored in the news, but another helium shortage is upon us. This is the third supply interruption since 2006. Prices have spiked by 300% since Christmas 2018. This shortage may last three years.
Gas chromatographs with helium as a carrier gas are vulnerable to interruption of supply. Major users, such as imaging centers and Heliarc welders, have already negotiated long-term supply contracts. This reduces the available supply. Perhaps your purchasing depatment can also get a long-term commitment.
What else can you do? Convert your methods to specify hydrogen as a carrier gas. The hydrogen can be sourced from hydrogen generators, which make hydrogen from hydrolysis of water. You may already have one if you are using a flame ionization detector (FID). GC with hydrogen as the carrier gas is more chromatographically efficient than with helium. You might be able to shorten the column and still have acceptable chromatographic resolution. Shorter columns usually improve throughput.
We are looking for case histories to help spread the word. If interested, e-mail me at [email protected].
Robert L. Stevenson, Ph.D., is Editor Emeritus, American Laboratory/Labcompare.
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