ChemTron RACK-NM Plus High-Purity Hydrogen Generator (19″ Rack-Mounted)
| Brand | ChemTron |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | 19" RACK-NM Plus |
| Purity | 99.99996% H₂ |
| Max Flow Rate | 100–1350 mL/min (model-dependent) |
| Max Output Pressure | 11 bar (160 psig) |
| Pressure Accuracy | ±0.1 bar (±5%) |
| Internal Gas Volume | <50 mL |
| Water Reservoir Capacity | 5 L |
| Feed Water Resistivity Requirement | ≥1 MΩ·cm (recommended ≥5 MΩ·cm) |
| Display | 128×64-pixel LCD touchscreen with physical keys |
| Gas Outlet | 1/8" Swagelock |
| Noise Level | ≤46 dB(A) |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 140×580×490 mm |
| Weight | 19–24 kg (model-dependent) |
| Power Input | 110–120 V / 60 Hz or 220–240 V / 50 Hz |
| Operating Environment | 15–40 °C, 0–80% RH (non-condensing) |
| Certifications | CE, CSA, FCC |
| Electrolysis Technology | CPEM (Platinum- and Platinum-Iridium-coated Proton Exchange Membrane) |
| Electrolyzer Housing Material | High-purity titanium (CCELL) |
| Drying Technology | Static membrane-based secondary purification + dual cold-regenerative tertiary purifier (RACK-NM series only) |
Overview
The ChemTron RACK-NM Plus is a high-integrity, rack-mountable hydrogen generator engineered for continuous, on-demand production of ultra-high-purity hydrogen gas (up to 99.99996% v/v) via proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis of deionized water. Unlike traditional alkaline electrolyzers, it employs a solid polymer CPEM electrolyte and platinum-group metal catalysts deposited on a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane — eliminating the need for corrosive KOH solutions, hazardous regeneration cycles, or consumable desiccants. The system integrates a titanium CCELL electrolyzer cell with precision current control, ensuring stoichiometric gas generation without excess heat or water decomposition inefficiency. Its compact internal gas volume (<50 mL), low-pressure operation (<11 bar), and fail-safe pressure monitoring architecture comply with IEC 61010-1 and ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory safety requirements for non-pressurized gas sources. Designed explicitly for analytical laboratories, the RACK-NM Plus serves as a certified replacement for compressed H₂ cylinders in GC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, FAST-GC, fuel cell testing, and catalytic hydrogenation applications — delivering consistent purity without detector contamination or column degradation.
Key Features
- Rack-optimized 19-inch EIA standard chassis (140 × 580 × 490 mm) for seamless integration into analytical instrument racks or centralized utility cabinets
- CPEM electrolysis using platinum-iridium alloy catalysts on high-stability perfluorosulfonic membranes — enabling >99.99996% H₂ purity without alkaline electrolytes or regenerable desiccants
- Titanium CCELL electrolyzer housing — chemically inert, non-outgassing, and impervious to trace metal leaching that could compromise GC-MS sensitivity or catalytic reactions
- Triple-stage purification: (1) PEM-selective membrane separation, (2) static hydrophobic membrane drying, (3) dual cold-regenerative purifier (exclusive to RACK-NM models) for residual O₂, H₂O, and total hydrocarbon removal
- Real-time embedded diagnostics: conductivity-based feedwater quality monitoring, electrolyzer voltage/current/temperature tracking, seismic/vibration detection, and dual leak detection (internal pressure decay + external delivery pressure loss)
- Fail-safe mechanical design: overpressure relief at outlet, automatic shutdown on low reservoir level, high-conductivity water cutoff, and thermal runaway prevention
- Low-noise operation (≤46 dB[A]) suitable for shared laboratory environments; power consumption ranging from 90 W (RACK-NM 100 Plus) to 500 W (RACK-NM 1350 Plus)
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The RACK-NM Plus is compatible with all major gas chromatography platforms requiring ultra-high-purity hydrogen carrier or fuel gas — including Agilent, Thermo Fisher, Shimadzu, and PerkinElmer systems — and meets ASTM D7217–22 specifications for hydrogen purity in GC applications. Its output complies with ISO 8573-1 Class 1:2:1 (solid particles, water, oil) and meets USP and EP 2.5.27 requirements for pharmaceutical-grade process gases. The absence of alkaline electrolytes and regenerable desiccants eliminates risk of sodium or silica carryover — critical for trace-level elemental analysis in ICP-MS and for long-term stability in hydrogenation reactors. All units are CE-marked, CSA-certified (C22.2 No. 61010-1), and FCC-compliant. Optional audit-ready firmware supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records when paired with validated PC software.
Software & Data Management
The integrated 128×64-pixel LCD touchscreen provides real-time visualization of outlet pressure, water resistivity, electrolyzer status, alarm history, and maintenance counters. Optional ChemTron ControlSuite™ PC software enables remote configuration, live parameter logging, and event-driven reporting (e.g., low-water alerts, pressure deviations). For multi-instrument labs, the cascade control module allows synchronized operation of up to eight RACK-NM generators: if one unit fails, remaining units automatically redistribute flow to maintain uninterrupted supply to connected GCs — satisfying GLP/GMP continuity-of-service requirements. Firmware updates are provided free of charge for the product lifecycle, with version-controlled release notes traceable to ISO/IEC 17025 calibration documentation.
Applications
- GC and GC-MS carrier and detector fuel gas — eliminating baseline drift, peak tailing, and filament burnout associated with cylinder-sourced impurities
- FAST-GC applications requiring rapid pressure ramping and stable flow under dynamic conditions
- ICP-MS hydrogen reaction cell gas — where sub-ppb O₂ and H₂O levels prevent polyatomic interferences (e.g., ArH⁺ on ¹H)
- Hydrogen fuel cell test benches demanding continuous, low-particulate H₂ at regulated pressure
- Lab-scale catalytic hydrogenation reactors requiring precise stoichiometric control and zero halogen/metal contamination
- Calibration gas blending systems where H₂ purity directly affects mixture uncertainty budgets
FAQ
What feed water quality is required?
Deionized or purified water with resistivity ≥1 MΩ·cm is mandatory; ≥5 MΩ·cm is strongly recommended to maximize CPEM membrane lifetime and minimize maintenance frequency.
Can the RACK-NM Plus be used alongside hydrogen cylinders?
Yes — its outlet includes overpressure protection and is compatible with parallel connection to cylinder manifolds via pressure-regulated back-pressure valves.
Is the dual cold-regenerative purifier serviceable in the field?
No — it is a sealed, maintenance-free module designed for ≥15,000 hours of continuous operation without regeneration or replacement.
Does the system support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
When configured with optional ChemTron ControlSuite™ and validated installation protocols, full audit trail, electronic signature, and role-based access control are supported.
What is the warranty coverage for the CCELL electrolyzer?
The CCELL stack is covered under a 2+3 year extended warranty (2 years standard + 3 years conditional upon annual certified maintenance).
