VICI NPM - Manual (Page 3)

1
Introduction
Virtually all commercial gas chromatographs contain certain
components at levels which are unsuitable for low ppb universal
analyses (although they may not be problematic for flame ionization
and thermal conductivity detectors). For example, unheated
molecular sieve traps are certain to contaminate the carrier gas
with CO
2
and H
2
O.
The VICI Miniature Helium Purifier (HPM) and Miniature Nitrogen
Purifier (NPM) are designed to address this situation, providing
“point-of-use” carrier gas purification to sub-ppm levels of gaseous
impurities. When installed in a gas chromatograph’s flow path
immediately upstream of the injector, the HPM/NPM will remove
any contaminants introduced by flow controllers, elastomeric tube
seals, pressure regulators, crude traps, or other system components
that are not completely clean and leak-tight.
The GC’s actual carrier inlet should be supplied from the HP2
inert gas purifier which ships as part of the Valco pulsed discharge
detector system. No other carrier purifiers, including oxygen,
moisture, and hydrocarbon traps, should be used; they are likely
to introduce one contaminant as they remove another.
WARNING!
This product is
not for use with oxygen – either
pure oxygen or gases with a significant proportion
of oxygen. The purifier’s gettering alloy is
pyrophoric
at operating temperature . Use with significant
amounts of oxygen can result in combustion of the
material, potential damage to the surrounding area,
and possible injury.
In no event shall Valco Instruments Co. Inc. be
liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damage, whether based on contract,
tort, or any other legal theory and whether advised
of the possibility of such damages.