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Tag: bulk gas

Impurity Monitoring In Fuel-Cell Hydrogen

Written by Terri Melle-Johnson on . Posted in Process Insights, Tiger Optics. No Comments on Impurity Monitoring In Fuel-Cell Hydrogen

A Single-Supplier Solution For Impurity Monitoring In Fuel-Cell Hydrogen

Global efforts to reduce harmful emissions have focused on lowering carbon output, particularly in transportation. Fuel cells provide a flexible solution, powering everything from laptops to power stations, and are seen as key to transitioning to a zero-emission energy sector. A hydrogen fuel cell efficiently produces electricity with water and heat as the only byproducts, making it ideal for zero-emission vehicles.

While most hydrogen is still made from fossil fuels, a strong hydrogen infrastructure can shift production to carbon-free methods in the future. Fuel cells are more efficient than combustion engines and offer similar range (500-700 km) while refueling quickly at stations, unlike battery-electric vehicles.

However, hydrogen purity is critical to fuel cell performance. Impurities, such as methane, moisture, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, can affect the fuel cell depending on hydrogen production methods. Maintaining low impurity levels is essential for fuel cell efficiency, as specified by standards like ISO 14687 and SAE J2719.

Process Insights provides accurate tools to monitor hydrogen quality. Their analyzers, based on Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS), detect trace contaminants at ppm and ppb levels, ensuring compliance with purity standards and supporting fuel-cell performance. These instruments are drift-free, highly specific, and require no expensive calibrations, saving time and money.

Fuel Cell Hydrogen Solutions

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Moisture Detection in Electronic-Grade Bulk Gases

Written by Terri Melle-Johnson on . Posted in Process Insights, Tiger Optics. No Comments on Moisture Detection in Electronic-Grade Bulk Gases

Parts-Per-Trillion Moisture Detection in Electronic-Grade Bulk Gases

The semiconductor market is entering a new era of innovation. New applications are driving demand for advanced devices with stricter requirements for reliability, power handling, and power consumption. These devices must also be smaller and more functional, with smaller technology nodes.

Powerful smartphones, tablets, automotive sensor systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and smart power grids are all growing rapidly. Self-driving cars, for example, need huge amounts of computing power to process data from cameras and sensors in real-time, and the processors must be both reliable and power-efficient.

The Need for Better Gas Quality and Analytics

To meet these challenges, the semiconductor industry is focusing on improving manufacturing quality. The International Roadmap for Devices and Systems (IRDS) emphasizes stricter controls across all stages of production, from cleanroom conditions to raw materials, including gases. As a result, controlling gas quality has become a top priority to increase yields and reduce failure rates.

With tighter gas quality control, there is also a growing need for more sensitive and accurate analytical tools. Real-time process control has become essential for fab operators.

In advanced semiconductor fabs, Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) analyzers are the gold standard for ensuring the quality of bulk gases like N2, CDA, O2, H2, Ar, and He.

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