SC_Trace_Gas_Analyzer_F_20170403.pdf

Salient Characteristics Trace Gas Analyzer

20170403

GAS CHROMATOGRAPH (GC) SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

Scope: Procure and install custom scientific instrument called a gas chromatograph (GC) trace gas analyzer. System shall have data controller, semi-automatic gas samplers, one (1) thermal conductivity detector (TCD), two (2) Pulsed Discharge Helium Ionization Detector (PDHID) detectors, and wide bore-capillary column inlets. The custom GC will be used to test propellant helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen on separate flow paths. Vendor deliverables to include detailed operating instructions on this custom GC system and detailed chromatograms which demonstrate that the system can perform the required testing detailed in the salient characteristics section.

1. Vendor shall demonstrate in the quotation that the gas chromatograph (GC) instrument shall have the following salient characteristics:

1.1 Bulk Helium Channel: Capable of quantifying trace Hydrogen, Argon, Oxygen and Nitrogen in bulk Helium gas IAW para 4.4.2 of MIL-PRF-27407 Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium. 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.

1.2 Neon Detection Channel: Capable of quantifying trace Neon in bulk Helium gas IAW para 4.4.2 of MIL-PRF-27407 Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium.

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.

1.3 Bulk Hydrogen With Trace Concentrations Of Helium Using Argon Carrier Channel: Capable of quantifying trace helium content in bulk hydrogen gas at the 20-150 ppm range and IAW MIL-PRF-27401D, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Hydrogen, para 4.4.2. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

1.4 Bulk Nitrogen Detecting Trace Helium Flow Path (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.

1.5 Bulk Nitrogen Detecting Trace Argon Flow Path: Capable of quantifying trace argon content in nitrogen gas at the 1-150 ppm range and IAW MIL-PRF-27401 Propellant Pressurizing Agent Nitrogen, para 4.4.2. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

1.6 Bulk Helium with Large Concentrations of Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Argon Flow Path: Capable of quantifying nitrogen, argon, oxygen and hydrogen at the 100-10000 ppm range found in bulk helium.

20170403

2. Instrument Characteristics/Features:

2.1 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.

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

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

2.4 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.

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

2.6 Sample introduction plumbing shall have vacuum and purge capabilities. Vendor shall provide manifold schematics or required manifold shall be provided upon installation.

3. Analytical Method Development And Standard Operating Procedures:

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 Porous Layer Open Tubular (PLOT) GC column separation and PDHID 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. Method shall conform to para 4.4.2 of MIL-PRF-27407 Propellant Pressurizing Agent Helium. 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.

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 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. 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.

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

20170403 and IAW MIL-PRF-27401D, Propellant Pressurizing Agent Hydrogen, para 4.4.2.

Instrument shall be able to quantify 20 ppm to 150 ppm helium in bulk hydrogen. It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

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 shall be included.

Method shall quantify 1-100 ppm helium in bulk Nitrogen gas and IAW MIL-PRF-27401 Propellant Pressurizing Agent Nitrogen, para 4.4.2, It is acceptable if the system exceeds these ranges of sensitivity.

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 shall be included. 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.

4. Instrument Controller: Instrument controller will be plug compatible with Agilent OpenLab ChemStation Software, most current version available, upgrade 32bit methods for gas chromatography, such as M8301AA OpenLab ChemStation, Agilent 7890B, and 120V. Instrument controller shall have 64 bit processor, such as Dell Model 7040, 64 bit, Intel i5-6500 Quad Core, with 3.2GHz or better, 16 MB RAM, and include Windows 7 Professional software. Shall have minimum 500 Megabyte Hard Disk Storage, DVD 16X drive, keyboard and mouse. Shall have a minimum 20 inch flat screen monitor, Energy Star. A laser printer for hard copy output, Black and white, such as HP P3015 shall be included in the instrument controller/data station.

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

4.2 Data station methods must be transferable or downloadable to existing Agilent Chem Station software.

4.3 GC must allow remote control and diagnostics through data system via

RS232 or LAN interface.

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. All GC tubing and line connections must be provided at setup.

6. Training on the system shall be provided by factory trained technician expert in the science of gas chromatography, (GC), specializing in testing of high purity gases.

Three eight hour days of training shall be included at the time of installation. Training

20170403 will cover general Gas Chromatography operation for high purity gas analyses, sample delivery, PDHID Detector operation and maintenance, Thermal Conductivity Detector operation and maintenance, GC inlet and injection valve operation and maintenance, GC Column operation and maintenance, and GC Column changing. Onsite training shall also include basic operation of the GC data collection and reporting software.

7. Gas Chromatographic Performance: 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

8. System Capabilities:

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

8.2 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.

9. GC Control:

9.1 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

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

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

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

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

10. Column Oven:

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

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

11. Pneumatic Compartment

11.1 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.

20170403

11.2 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.

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

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

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

12. Detectors:

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