Helium carrier gas often contains contaminants that can degrade instrument performance. Traditional commercial-off-the-shelf purification systems—whether ambient or heated getter types—are limited in their ability to remove trace contaminants and certain non-condensable gases. In particular, gases like argon, neon, krypton, and xenon are not removed by heated getter systems.
Image Credit: ASTG
The ASTG cryogenic purification system addresses this limitation by using a specialized load of high-gain amorphous zeolites. When cooled to liquid nitrogen temperatures, these zeolites effectively adsorb the target gases. This physical adsorption process is fully reversible: the purifier cartridges can be removed from the refrigerant, warmed, and then regenerated under gas flow and vacuum conditions.
Each purifier cartridge integrates two in-line vessels—one for bulk purification and one for final polishing. Two cartridges are installed in parallel, with bypass valving that allows one cartridge to remain in operation while the other is on standby or undergoing regeneration.