Ideally speaking, carrier gas is defined as the inert gas that stays non-reactive with sample element. Today, mostly hydrogen, helium and nitrogen are widely used as carrier gas in chromatography. Each gas bears its own set of benefits and minuses. Though nitrogen has the most superior efficiency, but the linear velocity is low and narrow. Mostly common ones used are helium and hydrogen.
Helium is an expensive option and hydrogen has the fastest analysis time. So in recent times, trends show gradual conversion of helium gas over hydrogen. Let’s see what are the essential steps to change carrier gas from helium to hydrogen.