Chromatography Forum

Hello and a Merry Christmas to you all!!
I use 50/50 Isopropanol/water to check for leaks at ambient temperatures after column installation which isn't great - at least I'm using helium carrier. Then I look at hexane peak shape.
I would like an electronic one suitable for hydrogen and helium.
Please post a testimonial for the electronic leak checker you have in the lab.
I'm looking at Restek and Agilent at the moment - does anyone know anyone else?
Many Thanks
WK

I use the Gow-Mac mini for helium. It's awesome and can be purchased from various chromatography suppliers such as Alltech.

Radish,
Thanks for your reply.
Can it be used safely for hydrogen and maybe nitrogen?
WK

According to the accompanying literature, the Gow-Mac can be used to detect any noncorrosive gas with a thermal conductivity different than air. It says it is not designed to be used with hydrogen.

Thanks Radish,
I see that the Gow-mac you refer to goes down to 1 x 10-5 cc/sec.
Restek goes down to 1 x 10-4 cc/sec.
Some only go to 1 x 10-2 cc/sec.
Price will inevitably come into it - I think on balance the Restek one will be suitable although 1 x 10-5 cc/sec sounds great.
I wonder if someone knows the minimum flow detectable with IPA/Water with carrier 1mL/min!!! - Probably 0.99mL/min!!!
WK