PEAK Intura N2|ZA Dual-Stream High-Purity Nitrogen and Zero-Air Generator
| Brand | PEAK |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Import Status | Imported |
| Model | Intura N2 |
| Price Range | USD 6,800 – 16,300 |
Overview
The PEAK Intura N2|ZA is an integrated, benchtop-grade dual-stream gas generator engineered to deliver continuous, high-purity nitrogen (N₂) and zero-grade air (ZGA) for analytical instrumentation—primarily gas chromatography (GC) systems requiring carrier gas, detector make-up gas, and FID/FPD/NPD combustion support. Unlike traditional cylinder-based or single-stream solutions, the Intura N2|ZA combines a built-in oil-free diaphragm air compressor with parallel purification trains: one optimized for nitrogen generation via pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and another for zero-air synthesis via catalytic hydrocarbon oxidation and multi-stage filtration. Its core architecture centers on PEAK’s proprietary CAT (Catalytic Air Treatment) chamber, which extends residence time of compressed air over a high-efficiency palladium catalyst, reducing ambient methane (CH₄) from typical intake levels of ~100 ppm to <0.05 ppm—critical for low-detection-limit GC-FID operation. Oxygen content is consistently maintained below 1 ppm, and total hydrocarbons (THC) remain <0.1 ppm, meeting ASTM D6299 and ISO 8573-1 Class 1 specifications for instrument-grade gases.
Key Features
- Integrated oil-free air compressor eliminates external air supply dependency and reduces vibration-induced GC baseline noise
- Dual independent flow control: up to 1.0 L/min N₂ at ≥99.9995% purity and up to 3.5 L/min zero-air at ≤0.05 ppm CH₄, ≤1 ppm O₂, ≤0.1 ppm THC
- Patented AirMax™ filter monitoring system with real-time differential pressure sensing and predictive service alerts
- 45-minute warm-up-to-specification startup—achieving full purity compliance without manual stabilization delays
- Compact footprint (W300 × D450 × H420 mm) designed for under-bench or side-of-GC placement; consumes <350 W average power
- Industrial-grade 7-inch capacitive touchscreen interface with multilingual support (EN/DE/FR/ES), event logging, and configurable alarm thresholds
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Intura N2|ZA is validated for use with all major GC platforms—including Agilent, Thermo Fisher, Shimadzu, and PerkinElmer—and compatible with flame ionization (FID), thermal conductivity (TCD), electron capture (ECD), and nitrogen-phosphorus (NPD) detectors. Its output meets or exceeds USP , EP 2.2.43, and ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 1 requirements for particulate, water vapor, oil aerosol, and gaseous contaminants. The system supports GLP/GMP workflows through audit-trail-enabled firmware (IEC 62304 Class B), optional 21 CFR Part 11-compliant user access controls, and timestamped operational logs exportable via USB or Ethernet.
Software & Data Management
Firmware v4.2+ provides embedded data logging of inlet pressure, outlet purity metrics (O₂, CH₄, dew point), filter life status, and compressor runtime. Historical data is stored for ≥12 months and exportable as CSV or PDF reports. Remote monitoring is supported via Modbus TCP or optional PEAK Connect cloud gateway (subscription-based), enabling centralized fleet management across multi-lab environments. All configuration changes are logged with user ID, timestamp, and parameter delta—fully traceable for regulatory audits.
Applications
- Carrier gas supply for capillary GC columns operating at 0.5–2.0 mL/min flow rates
- FID fuel and make-up gas with certified hydrocarbon-free composition
- TCD reference gas streams requiring ultra-low thermal conductivity variability
- LC-MS nitrogen curtain gas and nebulizer gas where oxygen sensitivity impacts ion suppression
- Environmental labs performing EPA Method 8260/8270 requiring consistent ZGA for purge-and-trap systems
- Pharmaceutical QC labs complying with ICH Q2(R2) method validation requirements for gas-dependent assays
FAQ
Does the Intura N2|ZA require external compressed air?
No—it integrates a maintenance-free, oil-free diaphragm compressor rated for continuous duty at ambient temperatures up to 35°C.
What is the expected service interval for AirMax™ filters?
Under typical lab conditions (23°C, 50% RH), nitrogen and zero-air filter cartridges last 12–18 months; the CAT chamber catalyst has a 5-year service life.
Can output purity be verified in-house without third-party calibration?
Yes—the unit includes factory-calibrated electrochemical O₂ and catalytic CH₄ sensors with automatic zero/span verification routines accessible via service menu.
Is the touchscreen interface compatible with network authentication protocols?
Yes—firmware supports LDAP integration and role-based access control (RBAC) for multi-user laboratories under GxP environments.
What happens during a power interruption?
The system performs graceful shutdown with purge cycle activation and retains all configuration and log data in non-volatile memory; resumes operation automatically upon power restoration.
