dragergas

Dragergas, commonly called carrier gas, is a gas used to move the sample through a separation column in gas chromatography (GC) and related analytical techniques. It serves to transport analytes from the injection point to the detector while maintaining a stable flow and pressure, enabling separation of components based on interactions with the column material.

Common carrier gases include helium, nitrogen, hydrogen, and argon. Helium is widely used because of its low viscosity and high diffusivity, which support efficient separations and relatively fast analysis. Hydrogen offers even lower viscosity and higher flow rates, reducing run times, but it is flammable and requires rigorous safety controls. Nitrogen is inexpensive and highly inert but has higher viscosity, often resulting in longer run times and potentially lower resolution on some capillary columns. Argon is chemically inert but is less frequently chosen as a primary carrier gas for GC due to cost and performance considerations.

Quality and system requirements are important for reliable results. Carrier gas must be very pure, typically 99.99% or higher, and dry to avoid moisture-related issues with detectors or columns. Gas purification and moisture removal are common, and modern GC systems rely on electronic pressure regulators or mass flow controllers to maintain constant flow or pressure.

Applications of dragergas span environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, food safety, and chemical research, where GC and GC‑MS systems rely on a stable carrier gas to achieve accurate separations. Safety considerations include the flammability of hydrogen and the hazards associated with compressed gas cylinders, such as asphyxiation risks in enclosed spaces, requiring proper handling, storage, and training.