For using the ELSD, a source of pressurized inert gas (typically nitrogen) is required. Gas may be used from lab lines or gas cylinders. The gas does not need to have a high purity with respect to the gas composition, but it should be free of oil and particles. The consumption is about 3 liters of gas per minute, 4 l/min for the large flow nebulizer. The instrument is shipped with a 6 mm (1/4 inch = 6.35 mm) O.D. gas tube. The operating pressure is 3.5 bar (51 psi). Agilent recommends using a pressure regulator with a 0.01 µm filter, which is optionally available with the instrument.
There must be an installation like a fume hood or exhaust line, which is used for safely removing the solvent and sample exhaust. See SPIFPMs/Site Preparation and user manual (User Manual > Installation of Detector > Laboratory Requirements) for details.