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Helium Ionization Detector

The document summarizes the working principle and applications of a helium ionization detector, which is a sensitive gas chromatography detector. It describes how the detector works by utilizing excited helium atoms to produce secondary ionization of eluting compounds. Some key applications mentioned include detecting permanent gases at parts-per-billion levels, analysis of trace amounts of gases, and detection of pollutants like vinyl chloride in air. The main components and working of the detector are also outlined briefly.

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neha tariq
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41 views

Helium Ionization Detector

The document summarizes the working principle and applications of a helium ionization detector, which is a sensitive gas chromatography detector. It describes how the detector works by utilizing excited helium atoms to produce secondary ionization of eluting compounds. Some key applications mentioned include detecting permanent gases at parts-per-billion levels, analysis of trace amounts of gases, and detection of pollutants like vinyl chloride in air. The main components and working of the detector are also outlined briefly.

Uploaded by

neha tariq
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Presented to: Mam Aysha Bukhari

Presented by: Neha Tariq


Roll # 21
Subject: Advance Separation Techniques
Helium Ionization Detector
Introduction
Lovelock designed a chromatographic detector using argon as carrier gas
Berry was the first to use the detector designed by Lovelock with helium as
carrier gas
Most sensitive detector
only universal chromatographic detector commonly used to detect gases at the
parts-per-billion range
Principle
It utilizes the helium metastable (particular excited state of an atom, nucleus,
or other system that has a longer lifetime than the ordinary excited statesand
that generally has a shorter lifetime than the lowest, often stable, energy state,
called the ground state) atomic state for the ionization of eluting compounds
Instrumentation
Main components
• Helium outlet
• Discharge zone
• Capillary column
• Bias electrode
• Collector electrode
Diagram of Helium Ionization Detector
Working
• The detector consists of a small cell containing a beta-emitter radioactive
source, and two electrodes
• Ultra-pure helium is supplied to the cell as carrier gas from the column.
• The two electrodes are supplied with a high potential difference so that the
electrons produced by the emitter are sufficiently accelerated to excite the
helium to a higher energy level.
Working
• These excited helium atoms now possess sufficient energy to produce
secondary ionization of permanent gases eluting into the cell from the
column.
• The increase in current is subsequently amplified and measured.
Applications

• Measure substances with high ionization potentials, especially permanent gases


• used in preparative gas chromatography and in liquid chromatography
• used for the analysis of trace amounts of permanent gases
• exhibited the better response to all compounds, most notably to formaldehyde and
higher oxygenates.
• Recent applications include analyses of traces of water in gaseous and liquid samples
Application
• Pollutants like vinyl chloride in air have been detected at the parts-per-billion
level
Limitations
• The main disadvantage of the HID is the need for ultra-pure helium
• The necessary purification usually has to be carried out in-situ.
• Also, the detector housing must be purged, preferably using the carrier gas,
to avoid the introduction of air.
References
• https://b-ok.cc/book/959648/ecabc9
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs
• https://academic.oup.com/chromsci/article-
abstract/24/11/513/401937?redirectedFrom=PDF
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026265X8571077
6
Reference
http://www.chromedia.org/chromedia?waxtrapp=yzdhcDsHqnOxmOlIEcCb
CeFxEuB&subNav=itfeoDsHqnOxmOlIEcCbCeFxEuBP

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