How do I solve high oxygen and nitrogen levels after a gas cannister change?

After changing to a new gas cannister, I have been chasing high Oxygen and Nitrogen levels in my system. The gas filters for both instruments show they are still fresh (the right colour indicator), I've switched out for another new gas tank, purged the regulator, tightened fittings and wiped down the analyzer chamber seal. How can these levels still persist?

My triple quad and single quad systems are hooked up to the same He tank. The triple quad has O2 levels at around 7% and N2 levels at around 25%, the single quad has O2 levels at around 3% and N2 levels at around 15%. After each of the above troubleshooting attempts, the levels are the exact same, no real change. Since they are close to atmospheric levels, I thought maybe an air leak, however, the H2O levels are below 1%. 

Any help is appreciated. 

K

Parents
  • Were the N2:O2 and Water levels about the same before?  Have you used an electronic leak detector on every fitting?  When you say you purged the regulator, did you turn it on at normal supply pressure and turn it off and let the pressure decrease all the way to atmospheric, then turn it on again to supply, off, let decay, and back on again at least eight or ten times?   New gas filters need this same procedure after they are replaced, too. 

    You may have a contaminated tank.  Could you put the original one back on or try a different one?

  • Hi Paul, 

    The N2:O2 levels were both below 1% before the tank switch. Unfortunately I don't have an electronic leak detector, but I have been trying the canned air trick. No signal has shown though when I spray on each of the fittings (but I'm also not entirely sure I'm doing it right). Also your description of the regulator purge is exactly right, I would repeat that procedure 8x. Gas filters are not new, but their colour indicators show no sign of saturation. I've tried a new tank of He with no change, but cannot confirm if the two tanks are the same lot. Unfortunately the old tank of He was picked up when I ordered the first tank. 

    I've also noticed that N2:O2 levels go up as I reduce the flow in the inlet. I've replaced the septum, liner, o-ring, and ferrule with no change. 

    I'm thinking of trying to replace some copper lines in case they got twisted out of shape. Also maybe the filter is saturated and the colour indicator isn't showing it?

    I appreciate the help though, thank you. 

Reply
  • Hi Paul, 

    The N2:O2 levels were both below 1% before the tank switch. Unfortunately I don't have an electronic leak detector, but I have been trying the canned air trick. No signal has shown though when I spray on each of the fittings (but I'm also not entirely sure I'm doing it right). Also your description of the regulator purge is exactly right, I would repeat that procedure 8x. Gas filters are not new, but their colour indicators show no sign of saturation. I've tried a new tank of He with no change, but cannot confirm if the two tanks are the same lot. Unfortunately the old tank of He was picked up when I ordered the first tank. 

    I've also noticed that N2:O2 levels go up as I reduce the flow in the inlet. I've replaced the septum, liner, o-ring, and ferrule with no change. 

    I'm thinking of trying to replace some copper lines in case they got twisted out of shape. Also maybe the filter is saturated and the colour indicator isn't showing it?

    I appreciate the help though, thank you. 

Children
No Data
Was this helpful?