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Hydrogen Generators:
Bench Top |
Rack Mount |
The following
specification and information can be downloaded from the
"Downloads" page. |
History
In
the past, all hydrogen generators relied upon a strongly alkaline
electrolyte mixed and replenished by the operator as it was
expended. In 1959 the solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) was introduced
for such electrochemical devices as fuel cells, electrolysis units
and oxygen concentrators, all utilizing the same basic 5PE and
electrode components. In 1974 a hydrogen generator was developed by
applying the solid polymer electrolyte technology from the aerospace
applications. The SPE is a cation exchange membrane that has the
stability and performance requirements for a long-lived electrolysis
system and replaces the caustic electrolyte. It is a solid plastic
sheet of perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer producing hydrogen and
oxygen by the electrolysis of water. This same polymer is
incorporated in all AADCO hydrogen generators.
Installation
Once connection to the proper
electrical outlet has been made, the water storage tank filled with
deionized water and the deionizer and indicating desiccator
installed, the generator is ready for operation. The output can be
connected to a single using instrument or "tee'd" to
several instruments, provided the total hydrogen consumption does
not exceed 225 cc/min at operating pressure. Where higher flows are
required, several hydrogen generators can be manifolded.
Models
AADCO hydrogen generators
are available in both bench and rack mounted instruments designed to
meet the needs of laboratory operations or other small hydrogen
requirements. Performance, operation and components are identical
for both units.
Operation
Within ten to eleven minutes upon
completion of the installation and applying power to the generator,
full internal pressure, as shown on the Internal Pressure gauge,will
be reached. The operator then sets the output pressure at any
pressure from 2 to 60 psig with the output pressure regulator,
monitoring this pressure on the Output Pressure gauge. The flow is
then regulated at the using equipment from I – 225 cc/min. The
performance of the generator during operation is indicated
automatically by various diagnostic lamps and pressure gauges. Water
consumption is 11 cc/hr at maximum output, allowing 14 days
uninterrupted operation. Water can be added at any time without
ceasing operation.
Safety
Of
major significance are the OSHA regulations governing the siting and
usage of high pressure cylinders. TheAADCO 1225-series hydrogen
generators, with their low interval volume and low pressure, satisfy
0SHA requirements and eliminate most problems associated with
hydrogen use. Also eliminated are the hazard of stored hydrogen in
the laboratory, the tedious and dangerous changeout of cylinders and
regulators, and also personnel injuries. The SPE membrane allows use
by untrained technicians without the worrisome handling of
concentrated caustic solutions.
Purity
The Ultra High Purity (Gold Label)
grade of hydrogen supplied by compressed gas manufacturers is
equivalent to the hydrogen purity (99.995+%) generated by the AADCO
1225-series of hydrogen generators. This purity exceeds the
requirements for most laboratory applications. For those
applications that demand extremely pure hydrogen: nickel or
ruthenium catalyst systems used in the conversion of CO and CO2, to
CH4 and subsequent FID detection, TOC analyzers used in micro level
water analysis, electrolytic conductivity detectors operated in the
reductive
mode and
microcoulometric systems, it is recommended that an AADCO 560 series
hydrogen purifier be incorporated to eliminate the low level gases
dissolved in the water supply. These purifiers will deliver
hydrogen, under pressure, of such purity as to defy detection of any
contaminant by any known analytical technique.
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