ChemTron NM Plus High-Purity Hydrogen Generator

Overview

The ChemTron NM Plus High-Purity Hydrogen Generator is an engineered solution for laboratories requiring continuous, on-demand hydrogen gas with ultra-high purity and operational safety. It employs catalyzed proton exchange membrane (CPEM) electrolysis—distinct from traditional alkaline or solid polymer electrolyte systems—to split high-resistivity deionized water (≥5 MΩ·cm) into hydrogen and oxygen without caustic electrolytes, metal electrodes, or consumable desiccants. This electrochemical process occurs within a titanium CCELL electrolyzer cell, ensuring chemical inertness, long-term stability, and zero metallic contamination. The generated hydrogen undergoes three-stage purification: (1) membrane-based static drying to remove residual moisture; (2) dual-stage cold-regenerative purifiers eliminating O₂, N₂, CO, CO₂, and total hydrocarbons; and (3) final polishing to achieve certified 99.99996% purity (≤0.4 ppm total impurities), validated per ISO 8573-1 Class 1 compressed air standards and traceable via third-party PQ7 certification. Designed for integration with analytical instrumentation—including GC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, FAST-GC, hydrogen fuel cells, catalytic hydrogenation reactors, and H₂-flame ionization detectors—the NM Plus eliminates reliance on high-pressure cylinders while maintaining full compliance with laboratory safety protocols and regulatory expectations for gas supply integrity.

Key Features

• Triple-stage purification architecture: Static membrane dryer + dual cold-regenerative purifiers (no palladium required), delivering consistent 99.99996% H₂ purity under variable load conditions
• Titanium CCELL electrolyzer housing with platinum- and platinum-iridium-coated CPEM membranes—resistant to corrosion, thermal drift, and catalytic poisoning
• Real-time electrolyzer diagnostics: Voltage monitoring, temperature sensing, current regulation, and automatic shutdown upon deviation beyond ±5% setpoint
• Comprehensive safety system: Internal gas volume <50 mL (well below 4% LEL threshold); dual leak detection (internal pressure decay & external line under-pressure); conductivity-based feedwater cutoff; seismic/vibration-triggered emergency halt; overpressure relief at outlet
• Intuitive 128×64-pixel LCD touchscreen with physical keys—displays real-time pressure, water level, conductivity, system status, and fault logs
• CE, CSA, and FCC certified; designed to meet IEC 61010-1 safety requirements for laboratory equipment
• Low acoustic emission: ≤46 dB(A) at 1 m—suitable for shared lab environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The NM Plus is compatible with all major gas chromatography platforms (Agilent, Thermo Fisher, Shimadzu, PerkinElmer) and mass spectrometry interfaces requiring ultra-high-purity hydrogen as carrier, make-up, or combustion gas. Its output meets or exceeds the stringent purity specifications outlined in ASTM D7217 (for GC carrier gas), USP (for pharmaceutical analysis), and ISO/IEC 17025-accredited method validation requirements. The generator supports GLP/GMP workflows through audit-trail-capable event logging (optional PC software), configurable alarm thresholds, and full traceability of maintenance cycles and consumable replacements. All internal wetted parts comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 guidelines when used with optional software-enabled electronic signatures and data export functions.

Software & Data Management

Optional PC-based control software enables remote configuration, real-time parameter monitoring, and centralized management of multi-unit installations. The interface supports cascade control logic: if one NM Plus unit fails, remaining units automatically adjust flow distribution to maintain uninterrupted supply across connected GCs. Event logs—including pressure anomalies, low-water events, conductivity excursions, and purifier saturation alerts—are timestamped and exportable in CSV format. Firmware updates are delivered free of charge throughout product lifetime. For regulated environments, the software optionally provides electronic record retention, user access controls, and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails when paired with network authentication and digital signature modules.

Applications

• Gas chromatography: Carrier gas for capillary columns (especially PLOT, porous layer open tubular), make-up gas for FID/ECD, and combustion gas for FID
• GC-MS and ICP-MS: High-purity hydrogen for collision/reaction cell gases and plasma stabilization
• Hydrogenation chemistry: On-demand H₂ supply for benchtop catalytic reactors with precise flow and pressure control
• Fuel cell testing: Stable, low-particulate hydrogen source for PEMFC and SOFC performance evaluation
• Deuterium generation support: Compatible with D₂O-fed electrolysis modules (via optional configuration)
• High-sensitivity trace analysis: Eliminates baseline noise and detector fouling associated with cylinder-derived impurities

FAQ

What water quality is required for optimal operation?
Deionized water with resistivity ≥5 MΩ·cm is recommended; the system includes inline conductivity monitoring and will suspend electrolysis if feedwater exceeds 1 µS/cm.
Does the NM Plus require periodic replacement of dryers or catalysts?
No—its cold-regenerative purification system operates without consumable desiccants or palladium beds, significantly reducing long-term operating costs and downtime.
Can multiple NM Plus units be synchronized for redundancy?
Yes—optional cascade control firmware allows up to eight units to operate in coordinated mode with automatic load balancing and failover compensation.
Is the generator suitable for use in explosion-hazard zones?
While not ATEX-certified, its intrinsic safety design—including sub-50 mL internal H₂ inventory, non-sparking electronics, and redundant pressure/leak interlocks—meets general laboratory safety standards for non-classified areas per NFPA 55 and CGA G-5.5.
What is included in the warranty coverage?
Standard coverage includes 2+1 years for the main unit (excl. consumables) and 2+3 years for the CCELL electrolyzer module, plus annual on-site preventive maintenance by ChemTron-certified engineers at no additional cost.