Stable HF Mixtures in ppm Levels

A new range of Hydrogen Fluoride mixtures for environmental analysis with a shelf life of 6 months for the environmental monitoring market have been launched this month into the UK market by Air Liquide.
Historically it has always been difficult to obtain these mixtures because of issues over accuracy and stability. In response Air Liquide began a research and development programme into the analysis and delivery of Hydrogen Fluoride. Some of the findings of that research were reported at Pittcon 2006. The result has been investment in a new centralised filling centre at Air Liquide’s special gas facility at Mitry-Mory. This installation along with the one at Krefeld-Gellep is the centre of excellence in Europe for manufacture of complex mixtures.
The development has comprised new analytical techniques and associated equipment as well as new cylinder preparation and filling procedures. The new product range is available in B5 and B10 cylinders (5 and 10 litres) complete with a special corrosion resistant valve fitting and so are readily transportable. It is possible to request mixtures from the range 10 to 500 ppm of hydrogen fluoride in nitrogen. There are 18 possible mixtures available so there is a comprehensive coverage of possible requirements for users. These products all come with a
guarantee of stability for 6 months from manufacture.
David Hurren, Laboratory and Analysis Manager UK, commented “This new product launch shows the commitment to invest in R&D and bring forward products that are of benefit to the environmental monitoring market. We have ongoing developments to look to extend our range both in terms of lower levels of components such as on NOx and also to extend shelflife
such as our offer of hydrogen chloride mixtures with a 3 year guarantee of stability.”