# US 2024/0200216 A1 · Hydrogen generator for gas chromatography applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0200216 A1 - Document ID: US20240200216A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/506,432 - Filed: 2023-11-10 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-18 - Assignees: Thermo Finnigan LLC; Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH - Applicants: Thermo Finnigan LLC; Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH - Inventors: Edward B. McCauley; Lothar Rottmann; Hans-Juergen Schlueter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200216A1 ## CPC - C25B 15/085: {Removing impurities} - B01D 53/025: {with wetted adsorbents; Chromatography (analytical chromatography G01N30/00 - G01N30/96; for liquids B01D15/08)} - B01D 53/228: {characterised by specific membranes} - B01D 53/268: {by diffusion} - B01D 71/02231: {Palladium} - C25B 1/04: by electrolysis of water - C25B 9/19: with diaphragms - C25B 9/23: comprising ion-exchange membranes in or on which electrode material is embedded - C25B 11/093: at least one noble metal or noble metal oxide and at least one non-noble metal oxide - C25B 15/08: Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes - C25B 15/087: {Recycling of electrolyte to electrochemical cell} - G01N 30/16: Injection (G01N30/24 takes precedence) - G01N 30/28: Control of physical parameters of the fluid carrier - B01D 63/06: Tubular membrane modules - B01D 2256/16: Hydrogen - B01D 2257/80: Water - G01N 2030/025: {Gas chromatography} - C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract The present invention relates to hydrogen generation for use in gas chromatography applications. In particular, the present invention relates to hydrogen generators producing less than 100 standard cubic centimeters per minute of hydrogen and the use of said hydrogen generators in gas chromatography systems and applications. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hydrogen gas generator system for a gas chromatograph having a carrier gas-decoupled injection port, wherein the hydrogen generator system comprises an electrolysis cell and a palladium alloy purifier membrane having a surface area of not more than 10 square centimeters. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the palladium alloy purifier membrane has a surface area of not more than 5 square centimeters. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the palladium alloy purifier membrane is a single linear tube of palladium alloy. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the palladium alloy purifier membrane is a palladium silver purifier membrane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the palladium alloy purifier membrane is integrated in the electrolysis cell. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the operating temperature of the palladium purifier membrane is from about 60 degree to about 100 degree Celsius. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the palladium alloy purifier membrane is separate from the electrolysis cell. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the operating temperature of the palladium purifier membrane is from about 310 degree to about 400 degrees Celsius. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of according to claim 1, wherein the electrolysis cell has an active hydrogen producing surface area of no more than 5 square centimeters and/or a hydrogen generation current of no more than 14 amperes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the production rate of hydrogen gas is no more than 100 standard cubic centimeters per minute. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the production rate of hydrogen is no more than 25 standard cubic centimeters per minute. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrolysis cell comprises a water circulation loop comprising a piezoelectric pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising a backpressure regulator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system according to claim 13, wherein the backpressure regulator provides an upstream pressure of from about 60 psig to about 150 psig, preferably about 80 psig. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising a polymer ionomer drier for removing water vapor from the hydrogen gas. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the polymer ionomer drier is kept under vacuum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrolysis cell comprises a palladium alloy cathode. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrolysis cell is a polymer electrolyte membrane. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is integrated into a module within the chromatograph chassis assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A gas chromatography system, having a carrier gas-decoupled injection port, comprising a hydrogen generator system as defined in claim 1.