Salient_Characteristics_Trace_Gas_Analyzer.pdf

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SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

Procure and install custom scientific instrument called a Trace Gas Analyzer. System shall have data controller, semi automatic gas sampling valve, one (1) thermal conductivity detector (TCD), two (2) Pulsed Discharge Helium Ionization Detector (PDHID) detectors, and wide bore-capillary column inlets. The custom instrument will be used to test propellant helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen on separate flow paths. Contractor must provide detailed operating instructions on this custom system and detailed instrumental data called chromatograms, which demonstrate the system can perform the required testing. System shall be provided by factory trained technician expert in the science of gas chromatography specializing in testing of high purity gases.

A. General Description/Configuration.

1. Contractor shall provide custom gas chromatograph (GC) containing the following configuration/hardware:

G3440B, Agilent 7890B, 120V Option 112, Split/Splitless Inlet with Electronic-Pressure-Control (EPC), 2 each Option 301, Three Channels of Auxiliary EPC Option 221, TCD with EPC as Third Detector P3015DN, Agilent LaserJet Printer

2. Contractor shall provide and install M8380AA Agilent Open Lab CDS Chemstation Workstation Edition Software which collects, calibrates, reports data.

3. Contractor shall provide and install GC software to control instrument such as M8400AA, Agilent Open Lab CDS Inst.

Driver for Agilent GC. Allows instrument control and data handling for one Agilent GC.

4. Contractor shall provide and install data controller such as OPTIPLEX3010-64, Instrument Controller, Dell Optiplex

3010, 64 Bit, Intel Core i5 3.2GHz, Windows 7 Professional, 16X DVD, 3-Yr Service Plan, 250GB Hard Drive, and 20” monitor. (or equivalent)

5. Contractor shall provide and install auxiliary valve oven capable of mounting six gas sampling valves and multiple packed columns.

6. GC instrument shall have:

6.1. Bulk Helium Channel Capable of quantifying trace hydrogen, argon, oxygen and nitrogen in bulk helium gas IAW paragraph 4.4.2 of MIL-PRF-27407C, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium (See Attachment 1). Instrument shall be able to quantify oxygen from 0.3 parts-per-million (ppm) to at least 100 ppm, quantify nitrogen and argon from 0.5 to at least 100 ppm and quantify hydrogen from 0.1 ppm to at least 100 ppm. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

6.2. Neon Detection channel capable of quantifying trace neon in bulk helium gas IAW paragraph 4.4.2 of MIL-

PRF-27407C, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium (See Attachment 1). Instrument shall be able to quantify Neon from 2 ppm to at least 50 ppm. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

6.3. Bulk hydrogen with trace concentrations of helium using argon carrier channel capable of quantifying trace helium content in bulk hydrogen gas at the 1-150 ppm range and IAW MIL-PRF-27201D, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Hydrogen, paragraph 4.4.2 (See Attachment 2). It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

6.4. Bulk nitrogen detecting trace helium flowpath (argon carrier) capable of quantifying trace helium in bulk

Nitrogen gas down to the 1-100 ppm level. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

6.5. Bulk nitrogen detecting trace argon flowpath capable of quantifying trace argon content in nitrogen gas at the 1-150 ppm range and IAW MIL-PRF-27401F, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Nitrogen, paragraph 4.4.2 (See Attachment 3). It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

6.6. Bulk helium with large concentrations of hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon flowpath capable of quantifying nitrogen, argon, oxygen and hydrogen at the 100 -10000 ppm range found in bulk helium.

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7. Bulk Helium Channel GC instrument:

7.1. Shall have a gas sample valve with rotor rated to 200C, purged housing, and helium leak test mass spectrometer certification, mounted in the auxiliary valve oven. This valve rated for service on the standard PDHID channel.

7.2. Contractor shall provide and install GC of capillary column, Porous Layer Open Tubular (PLOT), Mole Sieve 5A, 50m x 0.53mm x 50um, such as CP7539. This column shall be installed on the standard PDHID channel and optimized to test for hydrogen, argon, oxygen and nitrogen IAW paragraph 4.4.2 of MIL-PRF-27407C, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium (See Attachment 1).

7.3. Contractor shall provide and install GC PDHID and calibrated to test for hydrogen, argon, oxygen and nitrogen

IAW para 4.4.2 of MIL-PRF-27407C, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium (See Attachment 1).

7.4. Contractor shall provide and install GC high purity heated-helium purifier for the instrument helium gas inlet.

Heated-helium purifier shall remove outlet impurities to less than 10 parts-per-billion (ppb) for H2O, H2, O2, N2, NO, NH3, CO, CO2, CH4, CF4, CCl4, SiH4, and light hydrocarbons.

7.5. Contractor shall provide and install GC one each, miniature helium purifier (HPM), for secondary purification downstream of electronic flow control.

8. Neon Specific PDHID Channel gas chromatograph (GC) instrument shall have:

8.1. Neon Specific PDHID Channel shall have a suitable gas sample valve, rated to 200C, purged housing, and helium leak test mass spectrometer certification, mounted in the auxiliary valve oven. This valve is rated for service on the PDHID channel. This valve for sample injection on the Neon specific PDHID channel.

8.2. Contractor shall supply and install capillary column, PLOT, Mole Sieve 5A, 50m x 0.53mm x 50um, such as model CP7539, on Neon Specific PDHID Channel and optimized to test/measure neon content IAW para 4.4.2 of MIL-PRF-27407C, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium (See Attachment 1).

8.3. One miniature helium purifier (HPM), for secondary purification downstream of electronic flow control on Neon

Specific PDHID Channel.

9. Argon TCD Channel shall have:

9.1. Pneumatically actuated 10 port combination injection and backflush-to-vent valve, rated to 200C, mounted in the auxiliary valve oven. This valve is for injection and backflush-to-vent on the Argon TCD channel.

9.2. Pneumatically actuated, 6 port Hydrogen Transfer System bypass valve, rated to 200C, mounted in the auxiliary valve oven. The HTS valve is for the Hydrogen Transfer System on the Argon TCD channel.

10. Method Development, Installation, and Training

10.1. Method development for the analysis of trace hydrogen, argon, oxygen, and nitrogen in bulk helium via capillary

PLOT column separation and PDHID detection. Method development for the analysis of trace neon in bulk helium via capillary PLOT column separation and neon specific tuned PDHID detection. Method development includes optimization of injection volume, split ratio, flow balancing, temperature and flow programming, and detector settings. Method development also includes a custom manual with full documentation. The manual, at a minimum should contain a valve plumbing diagram, example chromatograms, reports, precision statistics, calibration curve, and the method itself on hard and soft copy.

10.2. Installation of all equipment and data controllers, commissioning, and training shall be provided.

10.3. Detailed operating instructions for the system and data station shall be provided. Documentation including chromatograms proving the instrument can perform the required separations described as follows:

10.3.1. Standard operating procedures and method development for the analysis of trace hydrogen, argon, oxygen, and nitrogen in bulk helium, and trace argon via PLOT GC column separation and PDHID shall be documented and provided as a deliverable. Method development includes optimization of

TRACE GAS ANALYZER MODIFICATION 3 | P a g e injection volume, split ratio, flow balancing, temperature and flow programming, and detector settings shall be included. Method shall conform to paragraph 4.4.2 of MIL-PRF-27407C, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium (See Attachment 1). Instrument shall be able to quantify oxygen from 0.3 ppm to 100 ppm, quantify nitrogen and argon from 0.3 - 100 ppm and quantify hydrogen to 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

10.3.2. Standard operating procedures and method development for the analysis of trace neon in bulk helium via capillary PLOT column separation with neon specific tuned PDHID detection shall be documented provided as a deliverable. Method development includes optimization of injection volume, split ratio, flow balancing, temperature and flow programming, and detector settings. Instrument shall be able to quantify Neon from 2 ppm to at least 50 ppm. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

10.3.3. Standard operating procedures and method development for the analysis of trace helium in bulk hydrogen shall be documented and provided as a deliverable. Method development includes optimization of injection volume, split ratio, flow balancing, temperature and flow programming, and detector settings shall be included and IAW MIL-PRF-27201D, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Hydrogen, para 4.4.2 (See Attachment 2). Instrument shall be able to quantify 3 ppm to 100 ppm helium in bulk hydrogen. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

10.3.4. Standard operating procedures and method development for the analysis of trace helium in bulk nitrogen shall be documented and provided as a deliverable. Method development includes optimization of injection volume, split ratio, flow balancing, temperature and flow programming, and detector settings. Method shall quantify 1-100 ppm helium in bulk Nitrogen gas and IAW MIL-PRF- 27401F Propellant Pressurizing Agent Nitrogen, para 4.4.2 (See Attachment 3). It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

10.3.5. Standard operating procedures and method development for the analysis of significant concentrations of Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Hydrogen in bulk helium shall be documented and provided as a deliverable. Method development includes optimization of injection volume, split ratio, flow balancing, temperature and flow programming, and detector settings. Method shall quantify nitrogen, argon, oxygen and hydrogen at the 100-10000 ppm range. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

10.3.6. Contractor shall provide a minimum of 3-consecutive days of on-site training for the system. The

Contractor is responsible for all travel costs associated with this task.

10.3.7. Contractor shall only provide instrument, ordered accessories, installation instructions, manuals, tubing, and parts, which meet manufacturer's specifications. Contractor shall provide telephone technical support and full warranty coverage of instrument for not less than one year after acceptance.

11. DATA STATION SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/FEATURES:

11.1. Data Station will be plug compatible with Agilent model G1656B ChemStation, SW revision upgrade 32bit methods for gas chromatography.

11.2. Software must be able to directly use chromatograms generated by existing Agilent Clem Station software.

11.3. Data station methods must be transferable or downloadable to existing Agilent Clem Station software.

11.4. GC must allow remote control and diagnostics through data system via RS232 or LAN interface.

11.5. Installation of the entire system and hardware, including data station shall be provided in the quotation and performed by factory trained technician expert in the science of gas chromatography specializing in testing of high purity gases.

12. GC PERFORMANCE SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/FEATURES:

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Retention time repeatability: < 0.008% or < 0.0008 min, area repeatability < 1% RSD using 2ng tetradecane, using 7890A, ALS, Agilent data system. Precise retention time and area reproducibility are the basis for all qualitative and quantitative chromatographic measurements.

13. System Capabilities Characteristics/Features:

13.1. GC Configuration: Must support simultaneously two inlets, three detectors because multiple inlets/detectors offer flexibility in configuration for a wide variety of analyses.

13.2. Must have multi channel design capable of supporting simultaneous operation of three channels (channel = inlet/Pneumatics-control-module (PCM) + column + detector), as well as monitoring a fourth detector signals (or any 4 signals among detector.

13.3. Carrier inlet will have a heated helium purifier and oxygen-scavenger plumbed upstream of the instrument inlet. Heated-helium purifier shall remove outlet impurities to less than 10 parts-per-billion (ppb) for H2O, H2, O2, N2, NO, NH3, CO, CO2, CH4, CF4, CCl4, SiH4, and light hydrocarbons.

13.4. Micro-oxygen scavenging devices will be installed downstream of electronic flow controllers.

13.5. All switching valves that are actuated during the analyses shall have a purged housing.

14. GC Control Salient Characteristics/Features:

14.1. Four-line display plus graphic array provides all needed data, including all temperature and pressure/flow parameters, type of carrier gas, carrier gas column pressure, flow rates, split flow, detector gas flow rates and all detector parameters

14.2. A dedicated key must allow unattended and automated system leak check.

14.3. A dedicated key must allow to automatically measure and store column parameters.

14.4. The system should be capable to store up to ten methods and ten automated sequences.

14.5. Non-active methods can be edited during a run for enhanced flexibility.

15. GC Column Oven Characteristics/Features:

15.1. Cool-down time from 450°C to 50°C within 4.5 minutes

15.2. The oven temperature stability should be within 0.05% of actual temperature.

16. Pneumatic Compartment Characteristics/Features:

16.1. The digital pressure and flow controller must be able to alternatively control and program pressures and flows in up to two independent carrier gas lines.

16.2. The digital pressure and flow controller must incorporate an auto calibration test which accurately measures and stores column parameters. This eliminates the need of entering unknown or unsure column parameters.

16.3. The digital pressure and flow controller must be able to alternatively operate in real flow mode and pressure programming.

16.4. The digital pressure and flow controller must allow a quick start up (less than one minute) when it is switched to a second channel.

16.5. The electronic control of the detector gases must be able to feed different detectors without changing electronics.

16.6. Electronic flow control to manage helium carrier during off peak times.

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16.7. All switching valves that are actuated during the analyses shall have a purged housing.

17. Detectors Characteristics Features:

17.1. The GC must have complete integrated control of all single column configuration with an automated software switch function for maximum sensitivity and linearity.

17.2. Thermal Conductivity Detector shall have internal volume of 3.5 micro-liter volume or less and capable of detecting 1 ppm helium depending upon configuration.

B. Equipment is located at: Aerospace Fuels Laboratory, 1747 Utah Ave, Bldg, 6670, Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437-

5220.

C. Base Passes and Controlled Area Badges: Permission for contractor personnel and vehicles to enter Vandenberg Air Force installation is subject to approval by the Contracting Division and the Security Police Squadron. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing proof of vehicle insurance, valid driver’s license and current vehicle registration when registering at the main gate and anytime while on Vandenberg AFB. The Contractor will be required to apply for vehicle and individual identification media at the 30th Security Police Squadron, Pass and Registration.

Section, Building 11777. Identification media shall be surrendered to the Pass and Registration Section upon completion or termination of the contract, or upon termination of an individual's employment.