H2 calibration in TCD

TCD should have no problem seeing 1% hydrogen.  You'll need to use nitrogen or argon carrier for best response.

Okay thank you. I will be using nitrogen as carrier gas. Can I use 5% H2 blend for calibration too?

Okay thank you. I will be using nitrogen as carrier gas. Can I use 5% H2 blend for calibration too?

A 5% H2 blend should work also.  If you're using multiple calibration standards, make sure the range of the standards matches or exceeds the expected range in your samples.

One thing to watch for: I have seen instances where H2 saturates the TCD at high levels (above 80%) and the response starts being non-linear.  A quadratic curve fit helped with that provided you have enough standards.  A better solution is to inject less on-column to keep H2 linear through your entire analytical range.