JKRD CH2-500 Ultra-High-Purity Hydrogen Generator

Overview

The JKRD CH2-500 Ultra-High-Purity Hydrogen Generator is an engineered solution for continuous, on-demand production of research-grade hydrogen gas in analytical and synthetic laboratory environments. It operates via membrane-separated alkaline electrolysis of deionized water—requiring no caustic electrolytes, compressed gas cylinders, or external purification stages. The core separation mechanism employs a palladium-silver alloy diffusion membrane, selectively permeable only to molecular hydrogen and its isotopes, thereby achieving a certified purity of 99.999995% (6.7 N) without downstream purifiers. This level of purity exceeds the requirements of ASTM D7217–22 for GC carrier gas and meets USP and ISO 8573-1 Class 1 air-free specifications for critical instrumentation. Designed for 24/7 unattended operation, the CH2-500 eliminates logistical risks associated with high-pressure cylinder handling while maintaining stable flow and pressure across variable demand—making it suitable for both benchtop GC/FID systems and high-throughput CVD process lines.

Key Features

• Electrolytic hydrogen generation using only ultrapure water (Type I, resistivity ≥18.2 MΩ·cm), eliminating chemical electrolyte management and corrosion concerns
• Palladium-silver diffusion membrane technology ensuring intrinsic purity of 99.999995% H₂—no additional getters, traps, or catalytic purifiers required
• Adjustable output flow from 0–500 mL/min (standard); custom configurations support up to 1300 mL/min for rapid GC and multi-instrument distribution
• Stable pressure regulation from ambient to 11.9 bar (173 psi), compatible with high-backpressure GC columns and CVD reactors
• Intelligent self-monitoring system with real-time LED status display for electrolyte level, membrane temperature, pressure stability, and fault diagnostics
• Auto-refill function with integrated level sensor and reservoir—enables >72-hour continuous operation without manual intervention
• UL/CSA/IEC 61010-1 and CE certified; fully compliant with OSHA 1910.103, NFPA 50A, and CGA G-13 safety standards for indoor hydrogen generation
• Compact footprint (0.17 m²) and low acoustic signature (<45 dB(A))—optimized for shared lab spaces and fume hood integration

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CH2-500 delivers hydrogen gas meeting stringent purity thresholds required by modern analytical instrumentation. Its 99.999995% H₂ output contains ≤50 ppt O₂, ≤100 ppt H₂O, ≤50 ppt total hydrocarbons (as methane), and ≤30 ppt CO/CO₂—verified per ISO 8573-5:2010 methodology. This specification satisfies carrier gas requirements for high-resolution GC, GC–MS, and fast chromatography methods per ASTM D3612 and USP . For regulated environments—including GLP-compliant QC labs and pharmaceutical manufacturing—the generator supports audit-ready operation through hardware-enforced safety interlocks, pressure-relief redundancy, and non-volatile event logging. All electrical and mechanical design elements conform to IEC 61010-1 Edition 3 for measurement/control laboratory equipment, with full traceability to NIST-traceable calibration protocols.

Software & Data Management

While the CH2-500 operates as a stand-alone analog-controlled system, it integrates seamlessly into networked lab infrastructures via optional RS-485/Modbus RTU or 4–20 mA analog outputs for remote monitoring of flow, pressure, and system health. Event logs—including power cycles, pressure excursions, and auto-refill activations—are stored in non-volatile memory for up to 30 days and exportable via USB interface. For laboratories operating under FDA 21 CFR Part 11, the optional JKRD LabLink™ firmware module provides electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable audit trails—ensuring data integrity for regulatory submissions and internal quality audits.

Applications

• Carrier and fuel gas for flame ionization detectors (FID) in gas chromatography, enabling improved signal-to-noise ratios and retention time reproducibility
• Reaction gas and purge medium in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) systems requiring oxygen-free reducing atmospheres
• Alternative to helium in capillary GC applications—reducing operational cost by >60% while maintaining equivalent resolution and speed
• Hydrogenation reaction feedstock in catalytic synthesis, particularly where trace oxygen or moisture would poison precious metal catalysts
• Zero-air generator make-up gas and calibration standard diluent in ambient air monitoring and VOC speciation instruments
• On-site hydrogen supply for automotive exhaust emission analyzers, including portable FID-based NOₓ/Hydrocarbon analyzers used in EPA Method 25A compliance testing

FAQ

Does the CH2-500 require KOH or other liquid electrolytes?

No. It uses only deionized water as the sole consumable—eliminating electrolyte handling, disposal, and corrosion-related maintenance.
Can it replace helium in GC carrier gas applications?

Yes. With proper method revalidation, the CH2-500’s ultra-high-purity H₂ meets or exceeds helium performance in speed, resolution, and detector compatibility for most capillary GC methods.
Is external drying or purification necessary?

No. The palladium membrane inherently removes all contaminants except H₂ isotopes—achieving purity levels two orders of magnitude higher than desiccant- or sieve-based post-purification systems.
What safety certifications does it hold?

It carries full UL 61010-1, CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1, IEC 61010-1 Edition 3, and CE markings—and complies with OSHA 1910.103 and NFPA 50A for indoor hydrogen generation.
How often does it require servicing?

Under normal operation with Type I water, no scheduled maintenance is required. The electrolysis cell and membrane are rated for >15,000 hours of continuous service life.