Mike May is a freelance writer and editor living in Texas.
Rather than clutter a lab with gas cylinders, many scientists opt for a generator to make gas such as hydrogen or nitrogen. This gas can be used on demand for analytical devices, including gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers. Generator Assembly
The question is: Who does a lab manager turn to ensure proper care and ongoing maintenance of a gas generator?
A lab manager can handle some gas-generator maintenance, including daily monitoring of the output pressure gauges and inspecting inlet air ducts and cooling fans.
Gabriela María Ávila Villarreal, a pharmacobiologist from the Centro Nayarita de Innovación y Transferencia de Tecnología in Nayarit, México, adds a few other things to keep in mind about in-house maintenance. When deciding between performing maintenance in-house or contacting the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a third party, Villarreal says that “in-house service is suitable when routine maintenance and minor repairs can be handled ourselves; we have the necessary expertise, tools, and spare parts readily available; or cost-effectiveness and immediate response are crucial.”
Sometimes, though, it’s crucial to reach out to a qualified OEM or a rapid-response third-party lab gas generator service expert.
“Most gas generators will alert the user when scheduled maintenance is due with a light or indicator on the generator’s screen,” says Raymond Mackay, digital marketing executive at PEAK Scientific. However, this indicator is just a reminder, and the generator will still perform to its specifications. Mackay adds: “Users should worry if they ignore this alert as not having the equipment serviced at the manufacturer’s defined interval runs the risk of product breakdown and failure of expensive components, which will ultimately result in downtime in the lab.”
Some gas generators need expert service more than others. “Models that contain internal compressors require a far higher level of technical skill to maintain, and these generators should only be serviced by trained personnel, which in most cases means the manufacturer will provide service,” Mackay says. “Models with no internal compressor can be maintained by the user as service requires less skill and good generator manufacturers will provide instructions and parts to ensure this service can be performed by the user.”
Villarreal adds that “using a third party becomes beneficial when you seek competitive pricing for non-warranty repairs or you need flexibility in scheduling maintenance or repairs.”
To reduce the risk of untimely repair calls, planning ahead makes a huge difference. For one thing, planned maintenance can be performed during planned shutdowns of a lab or even during off-peak hours.
Even when a gas generator is working well, an annual service check can ensure optimal performance and longevity. Although an annual check might vary between OEMs, it should certify the generator’s performance and efficiency.
An annual service check should also include replacing parts as needed. As examples of heading off failure with preventative maintenance, Mackay notes that “key components that are subject to wear and tear, like filters and drain valves, are replaced before they reach the point of failure.” The failure of such parts depends on the environment and usage. An OEM can help a lab manager decide when to replace parts as preventative measure.
Beyond flipping through a manual, today’s lab managers can use advanced options, such as augmented reality (AR) for gas generator maintenance and troubleshooting. With a cellphone’s camera, AR software combines real-world and computer information to provide visual guidance for users. “AR can replace traditional manuals with interactive, step-by-step guides for servicing instruments and help technicians identify and order spare parts more efficiently,” Villarreal says. “Integrating AR into maintenance and service processes can lead to reduced downtime, improved efficiency, and enhanced technician capabilities when suitable for the type of lab.”
Some vendors already use AR in several ways with gas generators. For example, Mackay points out that PEAK has “used augmented reality as a proprietary technology with our service-contract customers whereby we can remotely assess their generator using their mobile phone camera and, where appropriate, advise users on how to resolve an issue live.” Even if AR can’t help a lab manager make a repair, it can still simplify the required process. If the issue cannot be resolved during an AR-based session, Mackay explains, “we can diagnose the issue far earlier and equip our field service team with more knowledge and the exact components to resolve the issue reported.”
A transition is underway in the world of gas-generator maintenance. This will change how lab managers keep this equipment working as efficiently as possible and, potentially reduce the trouble and cost of the entire process.
Mike May is a freelance writer and editor living in Texas.
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