Gas Chromatography in Technology of High-Purity Noble Gases

Abstract

The article presents the classification of the gas stream contaminant types in noble gas enrichment and purification units. For the safe and efficient system operation, it is necessary to choose the right method of multicomponent mixture separation and the optimal corresponding equipment operating parameters, also to offer a method to verify the absence of the undesirable contaminant in the gas stream. The methods to control the obtaining of required noble gas purity during cryogenic rectification are indicated. Application of various gas analysis methods is necessary to obtain high purity (up to 99.9999%) gases: gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and their combination. The effect of the state of various components of a gas chromatograph on the analysis result are discussed. Recommendations are provided for noble gas analysis methodology, including the conditions for the determination of trace impurities. The article presents examples of practical application of gas chromatography to control the processes of noble gas enrichment and purification, using the example of production of pure xenon.