JKRD CH2-160 Ultra-High-Purity Hydrogen Generator

Overview

The JKRD CH2-160 Ultra-High-Purity Hydrogen Generator is a compact, benchtop electrolytic hydrogen source engineered for continuous, on-demand delivery of research-grade H₂ gas at 99.999995% purity (≤5 ppb total impurities). It employs proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis—using only deionized water as feedstock—to generate hydrogen with zero reliance on chemical reagents, metal hydrides, or compressed gas cylinders. Unlike alkaline or solid polymer electrolyte systems with higher oxygen crossover risk, the CH2-160 integrates a palladium-silver alloy diffusion membrane downstream of the PEM stack, selectively permitting only molecular hydrogen and its isotopes to permeate. This dual-stage purification architecture eliminates residual O₂, N₂, H₂O, hydrocarbons, and CO to sub-ppb levels—achieving purity two orders of magnitude higher than conventional desiccant- or getter-based post-purification methods. Designed for 24/7 operation in analytical laboratories, cleanrooms, and field-deployable instrumentation setups, the CH2-160 delivers stable flow and pressure without baseline drift, eliminating the safety hazards, logistical overhead, and analytical interruptions associated with high-pressure cylinder handling.

Key Features

• PEM-based electrolysis system requiring only Type I deionized water (resistivity ≥18.2 MΩ·cm); no KOH, catalysts, or consumable cartridges
• Palladium-silver (Pd–Ag) diffusion membrane ensures selective H₂ permeation and intrinsic removal of O₂, N₂, CO, CH₄, and moisture
• Digital pressure regulation with closed-loop feedback control maintains setpoint accuracy within ±0.5 psi across 0–100 psi (0–0.7 MPa) range
• Intelligent status display showing real-time flow rate, outlet pressure, water level, membrane temperature, and system fault codes
• Auto-refill reservoir with level sensor and low-water shutoff—enables unattended operation for up to 72 hours at 100 mL/min
• Integrated leak detection, overpressure relief valve (OPRV), hydrogen sensor alarm (UL 2075 certified), and emergency shutdown per NFPA 50A and OSHA 1910.103
• Certified to IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use), UL 61010-1, CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1, and CE marking for EMC and LVD compliance

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CH2-160 is compatible with all standard 1/8″ and 1/4″ stainless steel or electropolished tubing interfaces used in GC, GC–MS, CVD reactors, and trace gas analyzers. Its output meets ASTM D7165–22 specifications for carrier gas purity in capillary gas chromatography and satisfies USP requirements for hydrogen used in pharmaceutical residual solvent analysis. The generator complies with ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 1 (oil-free) and Class 2 (water content ≤0.1 ppm_v) for compressed gases. For regulated environments, audit-ready event logs—including runtime, pressure excursions, water refills, and alarm triggers—are timestamped and stored internally for GLP/GMP traceability. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, optional firmware upgrade supports electronic signature and user-access-controlled data export for FDA-regulated workflows.

Software & Data Management

The CH2-160 operates autonomously via embedded microcontroller with no external PC dependency. All operational parameters are accessible through a backlit LCD interface with tactile keypad navigation. Optional RS-232 or USB-C serial interface enables integration into LabVantage, Thermo Fisher Chromeleon, or Agilent OpenLab CDS platforms for remote monitoring and alarm forwarding. System diagnostics—including membrane health estimation based on differential pressure decay rates and electrolyzer voltage stability—can be exported as CSV files for preventive maintenance scheduling. Firmware updates are performed via secure signed binary upload; no internet connectivity is required during routine operation.

Applications

• Carrier gas for capillary GC and fast-GC applications where helium scarcity drives substitution with ultra-pure H₂
• Fuel gas for flame ionization detectors (FID), photoionization detectors (PID), and thermal conductivity detectors (TCD)
• Reaction gas in catalytic hydrogenation, fuel cell testing, and semiconductor CVD processes requiring <1 ppb O₂
• Zero-air generator purge gas and calibration standards dilution in ambient air monitoring systems (e.g., EPA Method TO-15)
• Reference gas in FTIR and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) where H₂ isotopic purity affects spectral line broadening
• On-site hydrogen supply for mobile emissions analyzers used in automotive R&D and roadside NOₓ/H₂O measurement campaigns

FAQ

What water quality is required for optimal operation?
Deionized water meeting ASTM D1193 Type I specifications (≥18.2 MΩ·cm resistivity, TOC <5 ppb) is mandatory. Tap water, distilled water, or reverse-osmosis-only water will cause rapid membrane fouling and irreversible stack degradation.
Can the CH2-160 replace helium in GC applications?
Yes—when configured for constant-pressure mode and paired with appropriate column selection and method validation per ASTM E260/E1510, it serves as a cost-effective, sustainable helium alternative for most non-polar and mid-polarity stationary phases.
Is routine maintenance required?
No scheduled maintenance is needed beyond periodic visual inspection of tubing integrity and annual verification of pressure relief valve function per manufacturer guidelines. The PEM stack and Pd–Ag membrane have rated lifespans exceeding 20,000 operating hours under specified conditions.
Does the unit support integration with building management systems (BMS)?
Yes—via dry-contact relay outputs (NO/NC) for “Ready”, “Alarm”, and “Low Water” states, compatible with standard BACnet MS/TP or Modbus RTU gateways.
What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for continuous operation?
The CH2-160 is rated for continuous use at ambient temperatures from 15 °C to 35 °C (59–95 °F) with relative humidity ≤80% non-condensing. Operation outside this range may trigger thermal derating or automatic shutdown.