Usermanual GC Maintenance 8890 g3540 90015 en Agilent

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Agilent 8890 Gas Chromatograph

Maintaining Your Gas Chromatograph (GC)


Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2019 Warranty Safety Notices
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Maintaining Your GC
Contents
1 About Maintaining the GC
Overview of Maintenance 10
Tools and Materials Required for Maintenance 11
Preparing for Maintenance 13
Viewing Status Data 14
Finding a Replacement Part Number 16

2 Removing Covers
To Remove the Detector Top Cover 18
To Remove the Pneumatics Cover 19
To Remove the Electronics Cover 20

3 Maintaining the GC
Consumables and Parts for General GC Maintenance 24
Parts Identification 26
To Change the Hydrogen Sensor Calibration Gas Cylinder 27

4 Maintaining Capillary Columns


Consumables and Parts for Columns 30
To Install a Capillary Column Hanger 32
To Install Capillary Column Clips 33
To Condition a Capillary Column 34
To Cut a Loop from a Column 36
To Reverse a Column and Bakeout Contaminants 37
To Attach a Capillary Column Using UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal Fittings 39
To Remove the Ferrule From a CFT Fitting 47

5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet


Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet 50
Exploded Parts View of the Split/Splitless Inlet 53
To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet 54
To Change the Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet 58
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the Split/Splitless Inlet 60

Maintaining Your GC 3
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the Split/Splitless Inlet 62
To Replace the Gold Seal on the Split/Splitless Inlet 65
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the Split/Splitless Inlet 67
To Clean the Split/Splitless Inlet 69
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet 71

6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet


Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet 74
Exploded Parts View of the Purged Packed Inlet 77
To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet 78
To Change the Septum on the Purged Packed Inlet 82
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Purged Packed Inlet 84
To Install an Adapter on the Purged Packed Inlet 86
To Change the O-Ring on the Purged Packed Inlet 87
To Change the Glass Liner on the Purged Packed Inlet 88
To Clean the Purged Packed Inlet 90
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Purged Packed Inlet 92
To Install a Packed Metal Column 93
To Install a Packed Column Adapter onto a Detector 95
To Install a Packed Glass Column 97
To Condition a Packed Column 99
To Install Ferrules on a Packed Metal Column 100

7 Maintaining the COC Inlet


Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet 102
Exploded Parts View of the Cool On-Column Inlet 105
To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet 106
To Check the Needle-to-Column Size on the COC Inlet 109
To Change a Septum on the COC Inlet 110
To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet 112
To Clean the COC Inlet 114
To Replace the 7693A Injector Needle Support Guide 116
To Replace a Needle in a Syringe 117

4 Maintaining Your GC
To Replace the Fused Silica Needle in a Syringe for the COC Inlet 118
To Bakeout Contaminants from the COC Inlet 119

8 Maintaining the MMI


Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet 122
Exploded Parts View of the MMI 124
To Install the Column Nut Adapter 125
To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet 126
To Change the Septum on the MMI 130
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the MMI 132
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the MMI 134
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the MMI 137
To Clean the Multimode Inlet 139
To Bakeout Contaminants from the MMI 141

9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet


Consumables and Parts for the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet 144
Exploded Parts View of the PTV Inlet 146
To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable Temperature Vaporization
Inlet 147
To Clean the Septumless Head on the PTV Inlet 150
To Replace the Septumless Head PTFE Ferrule on the PTV Inlet 152
To Change the Septum on the PTV Inlet 154
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Septum Head Assembly of the PTV Inlet 155
To Change the Liner on the PTV Inlet 156
To Replace the Inlet Adapter for the PTV Inlet 158
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the PTV Inlet 160
To Bakeout Contaminants from the PTV Inlet 162

10 Maintaining the VI
Consumables and Parts for the Volatiles Interface 164
Exploded Parts View of the VI 166
To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface 167
To Remove the VI Interface 171

Maintaining Your GC 5
To Clean the VI 173
To Install the VI Interface 174
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the VI 175
To Bakeout Contaminants from the VI Inlet 177

11 Maintaining the FID


Consumables and Parts for the FID 180
Exploded Parts Views of the Flame Ionization Detector 182
To Install a Capillary Column in the FID 184
To Replace an FID Jet 187
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly 190
To Check the FID Leakage Current 197
To Check the FID Baseline 198
To Install the Optional FID PTFE Chimney Insert 199
To Bakeout the FID 200

12 Maintaining the TCD


Consumables and Parts for the Thermal Conductivity Detector 202
To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD 204
To Bakeout Contaminants from the TCD 207

13 Maintaining the NPD


Consumables and Parts for the NPD 210
Exploded Parts View of the Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detector 212
To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD 213
To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly 216
To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet 220
To Check the NPD Leakage Current 225
To Bakeout the NPD 226

14 Maintaining the ECD


Important Safety Information About the ECD 228
Consumables and Parts for the ECD 230
Exploded Parts View of the Electron Capture Detector 232

6 Maintaining Your GC
To Replace the ECD Fused Silica Indented Mixing Liner and Install the Makeup Gas
Adapter 233
To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD 236
To Bakeout the ECD 238

15 Maintaining the FPD+


Consumables and Parts for the FPD+ 242
Exploded Parts View of the Flame Photometric Detector Plus 244
To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+ 245
To Change the FPD+ Wavelength Filter 247
To Remove the FPD+ Cover 250
To Replace the FPD+ Ignitor 251
To Install the FPD+ Cover 253
Cleaning the FPD+ Brazement 254

16 Maintaining EPC Modules


Consumables and Parts for the Aux EPC 256
Installing or Replacing Frits in the Aux EPC 258
Consumables and Parts for the PCM 260
Calibrating the PCM Interface 261
Installing or Replacing Frits in the PCM 262

17 Maintaining a Valve
Consumables and Parts for Valves 266
Exploded Parts View of GC Rotary Valves 267
To Replace a Gas Sampling Valve Loop 268
To Align a Rotary Valve Rotor 270
To Replace a Rotary Valve in the Valve Box 271
To Remove the Upper Valve Box 274
To Install the Upper Valve Box 275

A Swagelok Connections
Making Swagelok Connections 278
Using a Swagelok Tee 281

Maintaining Your GC 7
8 Maintaining Your GC
1 About Maintaining the GC
Overview of Maintenance 10

Tools and Materials Required for Maintenance 11

Preparing for Maintenance 13

Viewing Status Data 14

Finding a Replacement Part Number 16

This section provides an overview of the maintenance procedures included in this document. It
also lists the tools needed for routine maintenance and the information needed to safely
perform the various maintenance task.

Maintaining Your GC 9
1 About Maintaining the GC
Overview of Maintenance

Overview of Maintenance
This manual details the routine tasks needed to maintain the Agilent 8890 Gas Chromatograph
(GC). The procedures assume a basic knowledge of tool use and of GC operation. Readers are,
for example, expected to know how to:
• Safely turn devices on and off
• Load methods
• Change component temperatures, flows, and pressures
• Make typical pneumatic connections using Swagelok and other standard fittings
• Reset GC service counters
• Use the GC touchscreen

Where to find a procedure


Included in this manual are chapters on maintaining the following GC components:
• Capillary Columns
• Split/Splitless Inlet (SSL)
• Purged Packed Inlet (PPI)
• Cool On-Column Inlet (COC)
• Multimode Inlet (MMI)
• Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet (PTV)
• Volatiles Interface (VI)
• Flame Ionization Detector (FID)
• Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)
• Electron Capture Detector (ECD)
• Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detector (NPD)
• Flame Photometric Detector Plus (FPD+)
• Auxiliary Electronic Pressure Control Module (Aux EPC)
• Pneumatics Control Module (PCM)
• Valves
Each chapter includes:
• A list of the most commonly used consumables and parts for the component
• An exploded parts view of the component
• Detailed procedures for routine maintenance tasks associated with the component

10 Maintaining Your GC
1 About Maintaining the GC
Tools and Materials Required for Maintenance

Tools and Materials Required for Maintenance


Table 1 lists the tools needed for most GC maintenance procedures. The specific tools
required to perform a maintenance procedure are listed in step 1 of each procedure.

Table 1 Tools and materials for GC maintenance

Common tools Part number

Wrench, angled, septum nut 19251-00100

Wrench, open-end, 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch 8710-0510*

Wrench, open-end, 9/16-inch and 7/16-inch 8710-0803

Wrench, capillary inlet G3452-20512*

Flathead screwdriver

Column cutter, wafer, 4/pk 5181-8836*

Driver, nut, 1/4-inch 8710-1561*

T-20 Torx key or screwdriver 8710-1807

T-10 Torx key or screwdriver 8710-2140

3-mm hex key wrench 8710-2411

Electronic flow meter(s) or bubble meter(s) capable of calibrated measurements at 1, 10, and
100 mL/min flow ranges

Electronic leak detector

Magnifying loupe, 20X 430-1020

Metric ruler

Bench vise (for setting Swagelok fittings)

Razor or sharp knife

Tweezers, or 8710-0007
thin needle-nose pliers 8710-0004

Needle-nose pliers

ESD wrist strap (for installing new components) 9300-1408

Gloves, heat-resistant (for handling hot parts)

Wooden cotton swab (for removing FID filters)

Tools and materials for cleaning procedures

Cleaning brushes—The FID cleaning kit contains appropriate brushes for cleaning detectors and 9301-0985
inlets

Cleaning brushes—For cleaning split/splitless inlet split vent fitting, FID and collectors 8710-1346

Jet cleaning wire (.010-inch)

Clean, lint-free cloth (to protect contamination-sensitive detector parts)

Small ultrasonic cleaning bath with aqueous detergent (for cleaning detector and inlet parts)

Maintaining Your GC 11
1 About Maintaining the GC
Tools and Materials Required for Maintenance

Table 1 Tools and materials for GC maintenance

Common tools Part number

Gloves, clean, lint-free, nylon (for handling contamination-sensitive parts) large: 8650-0030
small: 8650-0029

Steel wool, 0- or 00-grade (for cleaning an inlet’s septum seating surfaces)

* Included with the GC ship kits

12 Maintaining Your GC
1 About Maintaining the GC
Preparing for Maintenance

Preparing for Maintenance


Before routine maintenance procedures, the GC must be made ready. This process can
include:
• Setting low temperatures to avoid burns and other injuries
• Setting reduced flows to avoid safety hazards and to prevent damage to the instrument
• Turning off the GC and disconnecting the GC from power
• Venting a mass selective detector (MSD)
• Making other settings to prevent damage to the instrument (electronics, columns, and so
forth) or to connected instruments (MSD)
To put the GC in a general standby state suitable for most maintenance, use the touchscreen:
Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.
Follow the prompts. To exit maintenance mode and restore the previous GC settings, select
Finished.
If you turned off the GC or changed other settings, return to the Maintenance Mode screen as
needed. Note that the Maintenance Mode ends when the GC is turned off.
For automated maintenance procedures available through the GC, the GC will make the
instrument safe to work on, and walk you through the steps required to replace the part
selected.

If you choose to perform maintenance without using the GC's built-in features, first cool all
WAR N IN G heated zones in the instrument, including auxiliary heaters or other heated devices you might
contact during maintenance. Then turn off the GC and unplug the power cord. If using
cryogenic cooling, you will also need to turn off the cryogen supply and safely bleed off any
residual backpressure.

Maintaining Your GC 13
1 About Maintaining the GC
Viewing Status Data

Viewing Status Data


The GC can display signal and other data that can be very useful during maintenance. For
example:
• Instrument status: Readiness state, running state.
• Instrument status details: Not ready modules, error modules, warnings.
• Module status details: Actual/Setpoint pairs for each module, quick On/Off for certain
modules, firmware version and instrument IP address.
Add an item to the GC status listing as follows:

14 Maintaining Your GC
1 About Maintaining the GC
Viewing Status Data

Select the desired item from the drop-down list,


then touch Add.

Maintaining Your GC 15
1 About Maintaining the GC
Finding a Replacement Part Number

Finding a Replacement Part Number


Agilent now provides the Parts Finder tool to help you locate replacement and consumable
part numbers. If using an Agilent data system, Parts Finder will be installed. If you want to
install the tool on another computer, Parts Finder is included on the Agilent GC and GC/MS
User Manuals & Tools DVD.
To find a consumable or replacement part using Parts Finder, navigate to the part graphically,
based on the part’s location in the GC.

Figure 1. Quickly navigate to replacement parts by clicking on images of GC components

Part numbers are also included in this manual.

16 Maintaining Your GC
2 Removing Covers
To Remove the Detector Top Cover 18

To Remove the Pneumatics Cover 19

To Remove the Electronics Cover 20

This section describes how to remove covers as needed for routine maintenance.
Only the covers listed in this chapter should be removed. Removing other GC covers can
compromise the safety features of the GC, leading to personal injury or damage to the
instrument.

Maintaining Your GC 17
2 Removing Covers
To Remove the Detector Top Cover

To Remove the Detector Top Cover


This cover protects the detectors, valve box, and valve assembly. To remove the detector top
cover:
1 Turn off the GC and unplug the power cord.
2 Remove the detector cover by raising the cover up, then firmly lift up on the right side of the
cover to free it from the GC. Set the cover aside.
3 When finished with the maintenance procedure, place the detector cover vertically on the
GC and insert the left side first, then gently snap in the right side onto the GC.

Be careful! With the power switch on, potentially dangerous voltages also exist:
WAR N IN G
• All electronics boards in the instrument.
• The internal wires and cables connected to these boards.
• The wires for the oven heater.

The covers shield these parts as the parts may be hot enough to cause burns. Never remove
a cover unless the instrument is unplugged.

Do not force the cover, either when installing it or closing it. This could break the plastic
C AU T I O N parts.

Pneumatics cover Detector cover

Pneumatics cover
release button (on
both sides)

Injection port cover

Left side cover

Power switch

Figure 2. 8890 GC covers

18 Maintaining Your GC
2 Removing Covers
To Remove the Pneumatics Cover

To Remove the Pneumatics Cover


The pneumatics cover protects the flow manifolds in the back top of the GC.
1 Disconnect any vent tubing connected to the split and septum purge vents.
2 Press the buttons located on each side of the pneumatics cover and lift up to remove it
from the GC.

Maintaining Your GC 19
2 Removing Covers
To Remove the Electronics Cover

To Remove the Electronics Cover


You may need to raise the electronics cover to perform NPD maintenance. The steps required
depend on whether or not an FPD+ is installed.

Be careful! With the power switch on, potentially dangerous voltages also exist:
WAR N IN G
• All electronics boards in the instrument.
• The internal wires and cables connected to these boards.
• The wires for the oven heater.

The covers shield these parts as the parts may be hot enough to cause burns. Never remove
a cover unless the instrument is unplugged.

Raising the electronics cover exposes the GC electronics.


C AU T I O N

Without FPD+ installed:


1 Turn off the GC and unplug the power cord.
2 Raise or remove the detector top cover.
3 Loosen the captive screws on the right side cover, slide the cover backwards, then remove.
4 Loosen the captive screw located on the left side of the electronics cover.
5 Reach under the back of the electronics cover to release the clip holding it in place, then
raise the electronics cover and remove.
With FPD+ installed:
1 Turn off the GC and unplug the power cord.
2 Raise or remove the detector top cover.

Loosen screw Electronics cover

Figure 3. 8890 GC electronics cover

20 Maintaining Your GC
2 Removing Covers
To Remove the Electronics Cover

Loosen captive screws


Electronics cover on right side cover Pneumatics cover
release button (on
both sides)

GC front
GC back

Figure 4. Loosen captive screws located on the right side of the GC

3 Loosen the two captive screws on the right side cover, slide the cover backwards, then
remove.
4 Loosen the captive screw located on the left side of the electronics cover.
5 Reach under the back of the electronics cover to release the clip holding it in place, then
raise the electronics cover and remove.
6 Loosen the two thumbscrews in the tray below the PMT, and remove the two screws in the
back of the tray.
7 Remove the tray from the electronics cover.

Maintaining Your GC 21
2 Removing Covers
To Remove the Electronics Cover

22 Maintaining Your GC
3 Maintaining the GC
Consumables and Parts for General GC Maintenance 24

Parts Identification 26

To Change the Hydrogen Sensor Calibration Gas Cylinder 27

Maintaining Your GC 23
3 Maintaining the GC
Consumables and Parts for General GC Maintenance

Consumables and Parts for General GC


Maintenance
Table 2 lists consumable parts for the hydrogen sensor module accessory and for general GC
maintenance.

Table 2 Consumables and parts for general GC maintenance

Description Part number

Hydrogen sensor parts

Calibration gas cylinder, 2 percent hydrogen gas in 17 L compressed air 5190-6890

Cylinder stand with locking screw 1400-3583

Pressure regulator, with gage G3440-80153

Fittings and hardware

Fittings kit, 1/8-inch brass, 20/pk 5080-8750

Plug, 1/8-inch brass 6/pk 5180-4124

Tee, 1/8-inch brass 2/pk 5180-4160

Union, 1/8-inch brass 2/pk 5180-4127

Cross, union 1/8-inch brass 0100-0161

GC Supply Gas Installation Kit with Gas Purifiers 19199N

Installation kit for GCs without gas purifiers 19199M

PTFE tape 0460-1266

Copper tubing, 1/8-inch 12 ft. 5021-7107

Copper tubing, 1/8-inch od, 50 ft 5180-4196

Gas regulators

Regulator, 2-stage, brass body, stainless steel diaphragms, 125 psi max, CGA350, hydrogen, 5183-4642
argon/methane, with 1/8-inch fitting. For 1/4-inch tubing purchase a 1/4-inch adapter.

Regulator, 2-stage, brass body, stainless steel diaphragms, 125 psi max, CGA346, air, with 1/8-inch 5183-4641
fitting. For 1/4-inch tubing purchase a 1/4-inch adapter.

Regulator, 2-stage, brass body, stainless steel diaphragms, 125 psi max, CGA590, industrial air, with 5183-4645
1/8-inch fitting. For 1/4-inch tubing purchase a 1/4-inch adapter.

Regulator, 2-stage, brass body, stainless steel diaphragms, 125 psi max, CGA580, helium, argon, 5183-4644
nitrogen, 1/8-inch fitting. For 1/4-inch tubing purchase a 1/4-inch adapter.

Regulator, 2-stage, brass body, stainless steel diaphragms, 125 psi max, CGA540, oxygen, 1/8-inch 5183-4643
fitting. For 1/4-inch tubing purchase a 1/4-inch adapter.

Gas Clean Filters

Gas Clean connecting unit, 1-position), 1/4-inch CP7980

Gas Clean connecting unit, 1-position), 1/8-inch CP7988

Gas Clean connecting unit, 2-position), 1/4-inch CP738406

24 Maintaining Your GC
3 Maintaining the GC
Consumables and Parts for General GC Maintenance

Table 2 Consumables and parts for general GC maintenance (continued)

Description Part number

Gas Clean connecting unit, 2-position), 1/8-inch CP738407

Gas Clean Smart Sensor for 8890 (replacement sensor) CP179885

Gas Clean kit (connecting unit for one filter, one carrier gas filter, 1/8-inch connections, mounting
bracket, and Smart Sensor) for new GC

Connect unit, Gas Clean, 4 filter, 1/4-inch, 1/pk CP7989

Gas Clean connecting unit, 4-position), 1/8-inch fittings CP736520

Gas Clean high-flow connecting unit, 2-position), with 1/4-inch fittings, for high-flow applications such CP17984
as ICP-MS or ICP-OES

High flow connecting unit 1/8-inch CP17985

Gas Clean filter GC-MS, 1/pk CP17973

Gas Clean filter oxygen, 1/pk CP17970

Gas Clean filter moisture, 1/pk CP17971

Gas Clean filter charcoal, 1/pk CP17972

Gas Clean filter kit for TCD CP738408

Gas Clean Filter kit (connecting unit for one filter, including one carrier gas filter, 1/8-inch connections, CP179880
a smart sensor, and mounting bracket for the GC) for carrier gas only

Gas Clean Filter kit (connecting unit for four filters, including four filters, 1/4-inch connections) for FID, CP7995
FPD, NPD

Gas Clean Filter kit (connecting unit for four filters, including four filters, 1/8-inch connections) for FID, CP736530
FPD, NPD

GC/MS Gas Clean Filter kit (includes one connecting unit and two GC/MS filters, 1/8-inch CP17976
connections) for ECD, GC/MS

GC/MS Gas Clean Filter kit (includes one connecting unit and two GC/MS filters, 1/4-inch CP17977
connections) for ECD, GC/MS

GC/MS Gas Clean Filter installation kit (includes CP17976, 1 m copper tubing, and two 1/8-inch nuts CP17978
and ferrules) for ECD, GC/MS

TCD filter kit (with oxygen and moisture filters) for TCD CO738408

Flush head, Gas Clean connecting unit, used to purge gas lines after installing connecting unit CP7987

Gas Clean wall-mounting bracket for 1-position) connecting unit only CP7981

For additional general and filters, refer to the Agilent web site and Parts Finder software. For
additional information about choosing the correct gas line filters, see the GC, GC/MS, and ALS
Site Preparation Guide and visit the Agilent web site.

Maintaining Your GC 25
3 Maintaining the GC
Parts Identification

Parts Identification

1/8-inch Swagelok nut


and ferrule
Pressure regulator

Calibration gas
cylinder 1/8-inch copper tubing,
cut to length needed

Gas cylinder stand

Figure 5. Hydrogen sensor calibration gas cylinder parts identification

26 Maintaining Your GC
3 Maintaining the GC
To Change the Hydrogen Sensor Calibration Gas Cylinder

To Change the Hydrogen Sensor Calibration Gas


Cylinder
Replace the calibration gas cylinder when you cannot adjust it to provide the correct flow rate
during calibration, or if it expires.

Connect only the Agilent calibration gas to the hydrogen sensor fitting. The calibration gas is
WAR N IN G 2% hydrogen in air and is not potentially explosive. Gases with higher concentrations of
hydrogen can create a dangerous condition in the oven or damage the hydrogen sensor.

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. While hydrogen
WAR N IN G sensor calibration can be performed at any temperature, cool the oven and detector to safe
handling temperatures, < 40 °C, before continuing.

1 Make sure the old cylinder is empty.


2 Turn the pressure regulator completely off and set the output pressure as low as possible
(full CCW).
3 Remove the pressure regulator from the old cylinder and install it onto the new cylinder.
4 Install the new cylinder into the stand.
5 Turn on the pressure in the new cylinder.
6 Open the GC oven door and connect a flowmeter tube to the sensor tube in the oven.

Connect the flow meter


to the hydrogen sensor
tube next to the oven
heater shroud

7 Select Settings > Calibration > Hydrogen Sensor > Start Calibration Cycle? > On/Yes. The
calibration cycle begins. The hydrogen sensor module will wait to stabilize, then will begin
to send calibration gas across the sensor.
8 While continuing to measure the flow rate from the tube, adjust the pressure regulator on
the calibration gas cylinder until the flow rate is approximately 30 mL/min. Remove the
flowmeter and close the oven door.
9 Allow the calibration cycle to complete (approximately 5 minutes total).
10 Check for leaks.

Maintaining Your GC 27
3 Maintaining the GC
To Change the Hydrogen Sensor Calibration Gas Cylinder

28 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Consumables and Parts for Columns 30

To Install a Capillary Column Hanger 32

To Install Capillary Column Clips 33

To Condition a Capillary Column 34

To Cut a Loop from a Column 36

To Reverse a Column and Bakeout Contaminants 37

To Attach a Capillary Column Using UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal Fittings 39

To Remove the Ferrule From a CFT Fitting 47

Maintaining Your GC 29
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Consumables and Parts for Columns

Consumables and Parts for Columns


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 3 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

30 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Consumables and Parts for Columns

Table 4 Capillary column hangers

Description Part Number

Column hanger 1460-1914

Capillary column clip kit, for 7-inch column basket G1530-61580

Maintaining Your GC 31
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Install a Capillary Column Hanger

To Install a Capillary Column Hanger


Be careful! The oven may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

1 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.
2 Select either the front or back hanger position. (Hanger is shown in back position.)

Front position
Back position

3 Insert the ends of the hanger into the slots in the selected position.

32 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Install Capillary Column Clips

To Install Capillary Column Clips


Be careful! The oven may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

1 Gather the following:


• Capillary column clip kit, see “Consumables and Parts for Columns” on page 30.
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.
3 Loosen the four corner mounting screws, but do not remove.

Column
clip

Mounting
screw

4 Slip each corner screw through the large hole on the clip.
5 Slide the clip so that the screw is positioned in the slot.
6 Tighten the screws enough to hold the clips in place. Once the column is installed, fully
tighten the four corner screws to secure the clips and column to the oven wall.

Maintaining Your GC 33
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Condition a Capillary Column

To Condition a Capillary Column


1 Gather the following:
• One 7/16-inch, and 1/4-inch wrenches
• No-hole ferrule. See “Consumables and Parts for Columns” on page 30.
• Column nut

Do not use hydrogen as the carrier for conditioning! It could vent into the oven and present an
WAR N IN G explosion hazard.

2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Install the column into the inlet using the new ferrules.
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable Temperature Vaporization
Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface”
4 Cap the open column fitting, for example, the detector column fitting.
5 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

34 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Condition a Capillary Column

6 Turn off all detectors.


7 Set a minimum velocity of 30 cm/s, or as recommended by the column manufacturer. Let
gas flow through the column at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes to remove air.
8 Program the oven from room temperature to the maximum temperature limit for the
column. Increase the temperature at a rate of 10 to 15 °C/min. Hold at the maximum
temperature for 30 minutes.
9 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance and wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

10 Attach the column to the detector. For details, select your specific detector.
• To Install a Capillary Column in the FID
• To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD
• To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+
11 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
12 Restore the analytical method.
• For FID or any FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead.
13 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes, then ignite the detector flame or bead.

Maintaining Your GC 35
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Cut a Loop from a Column

To Cut a Loop from a Column


1 Gather the following:
• New ferrule(s) for the column inlet connection
• Column cutter
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance and wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Loosen the inlet column nut and remove the column from the inlet.
4 Uncoil one loop of column from the column hanger.
5 Cut the unwanted loop from the column.
6 Install the column into the inlet using the new ferrules.
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable Temperature Vaporization
Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface”
7 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

36 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Reverse a Column and Bakeout Contaminants

To Reverse a Column and Bakeout Contaminants


1 Gather the following:
• 1/4-inch wrench
• Column cutter
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance and wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Disconnect the column from the inlet and detector.


4 If necessary, cut a loop from the column. See “To Cut a Loop from a Column” on page 36.
Do not attach the column to the inlet.
5 Remove the column from the hanger and reverse its position (inlet and detector ends) and
place the column back on the hanger.
6 Attach the column to the inlet.
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable Temperature Vaporization
Inlet”
• “To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface”
7 Attach your column to the detector.
• To Install a Capillary Column in the FID
• To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD
• To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+
8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
9 Set the column flow to the normal operating value, or set the capillary column gas velocity
to 30 cm/s.
For Multimode, Split/Splitless, PTV, and VI inlets, select split mode and set the split vent
flow to 200 mL/min.
10 Purge the column with carrier flow for at least 10 minutes before heating the oven.

Maintaining Your GC 37
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Reverse a Column and Bakeout Contaminants

11 Set the inlet temperature to 300 °C or 25 °C above the normal operating temperature.
12 Set the column oven 25 °C above the GC method final oven temperature to bake
contaminants out of the inlet, mostly through the split vent. Do not exceed the column
manufacturer’s maximum temperature limit.
13 Bakeout for 30 minutes.

38 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Attach a Capillary Column Using UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal Fittings

To Attach a Capillary Column Using UltiMetal Plus


Flexible Metal Fittings
The available UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal ferrule packages are listed in Table 5 and Figure 6.

Table 5 Available UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal ferrule packages

Item Part number Ferrule description

1 G3188-27501 0.1 – 0.25 mm column id, 10/pk

2 G3188-27502 0.32 mm column id, 10/pk

3 G3188-27503 0.45 – 0.53 mm column id, 10/pk

4 G3188-27504 Plug, 10/pk

5 G3188-27505 0.25 – 0.32 mm UltiMetal column id, 10/pk

6 G3188-27506 0.53 mm UltiMetal column id, 10/pk

1 2 3 4 5 6
Figure 6. UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal ferrules

Each UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal ferrule part number is uniquely designed to prevent
inventory mix-ups, and to help you find the ferrule you need quickly. Color variations between
ferrules are a normal result of the UltiMetal coating.

Preparing the column installation to the CFT fitting


This procedure is used to attach a capillary column to a splitter or switch or an Ultimate Union.
1 Gather the following:
• UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal ferrules. See Table 5.
• Swaging tool (G3440-80227)
• Two 1/4-inch open-end wrenches
• Column cutting tool (5181-8836)
• Internal nut (G2855-20530)
• Lint free gloves
2 Check the column end. It should be square and free of cracks. If needed, trim it.
3 Pass the column end through the internal nut and the ferrule, as shown in Figure 7.

Maintaining Your GC 39
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Preparing the column installation to the CFT fitting

Figure 7. Thread the column through the internal nut, ferrule, and swaging tool

4 Insert the column into the swaging tool until it bottoms.


5 Thread the internal nut into the swaging tool until finger tight. See Figure 8.

Figure 8. Thread the internal nut into the swaging tool

6 Begin to swage the ferrule to the column using a 1/4-inch open-ended wrench.
The design of UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal ferrules reduces the probability of column
breakage and minimizes the damage to the thread of the corresponding fittings.
Unlike other ferrule designs, a reliable leak-free seal is best made by tightening the
internal nut to a recommended number of degrees, not by applying more force. Applying
excessive force will not provide a better seal. Also, compressing the flexible ferrule less
minimizes damage to fittings.
To swage the ferrule to the column:
a Find your ferrule type in Table 6 and note the range of degrees to tighten the internal
nut.
b Tighten the internal nut clockwise to the lower end of your ferrule’s range.
c Check if the ferrule is gripping the column. If yes, stop. If not, continue to tighten the
internal nut in small 5- to 15-degree increments. Check after each increment to see if
the ferrule is gripping the column. Stop as soon as gripping occurs. See Figure 9.

40 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Preparing the column installation to the CFT fitting

Table 6 Degrees to tighten the internal nut for proper swaging

Ferrule part number Degrees to tighten internal nut

G3188-27501 50 – 100 degrees

G3188-27502 30 – 70 degrees

G3188-27503 20 – 50 degrees

G3188-27504 60 degrees

G3188-27505 40 – 90 degrees

G3188-27506 20 – 50 degrees

Figure 9. Tighten the internal nut

7 Using the 1/4-inch open-ended wrench, turn the internal nut an additional 15 to 20 degrees
clockwise to assure the ferrule is properly swaged onto the column. See Figure 10.

Figure 10. Ferrule swaged to column and internal nut

Maintaining Your GC 41
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Preparing the column installation to the inlet

8 Using the 1/4-inch open-ended wrench, remove the internal nut from the swaging tool and
column.

Figure 11. Properly-trimmed column and ferrule

Preparing the column installation to the inlet


This procedure is used to attach a capillary column to a splitter or switch or an Ultimate Union.
1 Gather the following:
• UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal ferrules. See Table 5.
• Swaging tool (G3440-80218)
• Two 1/4-inch open-end wrenches
• Column cutting tool (5181-8836)
• Column nut
• Lint free gloves
2 Check the column end. It should be square and free of cracks. If needed, trim it. See
Figure 12.

Figure 12.

3 Pass the column end through the column nut, the ferrule, and the swaging tool, as shown
in Figure 13.

42 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Preparing the column installation to the inlet

Figure 13. Thread the column through the column nut, ferrule, and swaging tool

4 Loosely thread the column nut into the swaging tool until you start to feel resistance. The
column should still slide freely. See Figure 14.

Figure 14. Thread the column nut onto the swaging tool

5 Adjust the column position in the tool until the column end aligns with the correct
dimension for the inlet. See Figure 15.

Maintaining Your GC 43
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Preparing the column installation to the inlet

Figure 15. Align column (split/splitless shown)

6 Begin to swage the ferrule to the column using a 1/4-inch open-ended wrench.
The design of UltiMetal Plus Flexible Metal ferrules reduces the probability of column
breakage and minimizes the damage to the thread of the corresponding fittings.
Unlike other ferrule designs, a reliable leak-free seal is best made by tightening the
column nut to a recommended number of degrees, not by applying more force. Applying
excessive force will not provide a better seal. Also, compressing the flexible ferrule less
minimizes damage to fittings.
To swage the ferrule to the column:
a Find your ferrule type in Table 7 and note the range of degrees to tighten the column
nut.
b Tighten the column nut clockwise to the lower end of your ferrule’s range.
c Check if the ferrule is gripping the column. If yes, stop. If not, continue to tighten the
column nut in small 5- to 15-degree increments. Check after each increment to see if
the ferrule is gripping the column. Stop as soon as gripping occurs. See Figure 16.

Table 7 Degrees to tighten the column nut for proper swaging

Ferrule part number Degrees to tighten internal nut

G3188-27501 50 – 100 degrees

G3188-27502 30 – 70 degrees

G3188-27503 20 – 50 degrees

G3188-27504 60 degrees

G3188-27505 40 – 90 degrees

G3188-27506 20 – 50 degrees

44 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Preparing the column installation to the inlet

Figure 16. Tighten the column nut

7 Using the 1/4-inch open-ended wrench, turn the column nut an additional 15 to 20 degrees
clockwise to assure the ferrule is properly swaged onto the column. See Figure 17.

Figure 17. Ferrule swaged to column and column nut

8 Using the 1/4-inch open-ended wrench, remove the column nut from the swaging tool and
column.

Maintaining Your GC 45
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
Swaging Quality Inspection

Swaging Quality Inspection


Figure 18 shows both an incorrect and correct swaging symmetry.
Incorrect Correct

Figure 18. Incorrect and correct swaging symmetry

If your column and ferrule appear like the incorrect example in Figure 18 above, it is possible
that your swaging wrench is defective or worn out. Try swaging with a new wrench or new nut.

46 Maintaining Your GC
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Remove the Ferrule From a CFT Fitting

To Remove the Ferrule From a CFT Fitting


Loosen and remove the internal nut. If the ferrule does not release from the fitting, do not try to
pull the column free. Insert a pointed object (such as a thumb pin or a paper clip) into the
ferrule release hole, as shown in Figure 19, and press firmly. You will hear a click as the ferrule
releases.

Ferrule release holes

Figure 19. Release the ferrule (Ultimate Union fitting shown)

Maintaining Your GC 47
4 Maintaining Capillary Columns
To Remove the Ferrule From a CFT Fitting

48 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet 50

Exploded Parts View of the Split/Splitless Inlet 53

To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet 54

To Change the Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet 58

To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the Split/Splitless Inlet 60

To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the Split/Splitless Inlet 62

To Replace the Gold Seal on the Split/Splitless Inlet 65

To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the Split/Splitless Inlet 67

To Clean the Split/Splitless Inlet 69

To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet 71

Maintaining Your GC 49
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet

Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 8 Split, splitless, direct, and direct connect inlet liners

Mode Description Deactivated Part number

Split Low-pressure drop, glass wool, single taper, 870 µL Yes 5183-4647

Split Glass wool, 990 µL No 19251-60540

Split MS Certified, single taper, glass wool Yes 5188-6576

Split—Manual only Empty pin and cup, 800 µL No 18740-80190

Split—Manual only Packed pin and cup, 800 µL No 18740-60840

Split or splitless Ultra Inert, low pressure drop, glass wool Yes 5190-2295

Splitless Single taper, glass wool, 900 µL Yes 5062-3587

Splitless Single taper, no glass wool, 900 µL Yes 5181-3316

Splitless Dual taper, no glass wool, 800 µL Yes 5181-3315

Splitless MS Certified, single taper, glass wool Yes 5188-6568

Splitless—Direct inject 2-mm id, quartz, 250 µL No 18740-80220

Splitless—Direct inject 2-mm id, 250 µL Yes 5181-8818

Direct inject —Headspace or purge 1.5-mm id, 140 µL No 18740-80200


and trap

Direct column connect Single taper, splitless 4-mm id Yes G1544-80730

Direct column connect Dual taper, splitless 4-mm id Yes G1544-80700

Table 9 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

50 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet

Table 9 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns (continued)

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

Table 10 Other consumables and parts for the split/splitless inlet

Description/quantity Part number

Septum retainer nut for headspace 18740-60830

Septum retainer nut 18740-60835

11-mm septum, high-temperature, low-bleed, 50/pk 5183-4757

11-mm septum, prepierced, long life, 50/pk 5183-4761

Nonstick fluorocarbon liner O-ring (for temperatures up to 350 °C), 10/pk 5188-5365

Graphite O-ring for split liner (for temperatures above 350 °C), 10/pk 5180-4168

Graphite O-ring for splitless liner (for temperatures above 350 °C), 10/pk 5180-4173

Split vent trap PM kit, single cartridge 5188-6495

Retaining nut G1544-20590

Gold-plated seal (standard application) 5188-5367

Gold-plated seal with cross (high split flows) (includes SS washer) 5182-9652

Stainless steel washer (0.375-inch od), 12/pk 5061-5869

Reducing nut 18740-20800

Maintaining Your GC 51
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet

Table 10 Other consumables and parts for the split/splitless inlet (continued)

Description/quantity Part number

Column nut, blanking plug 5020-8294

Capillary inlet preventative maintenance kit, split 5188-6496

Capillary inlet preventative maintenance kit, splitless 5188-6497

52 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
Exploded Parts View of the Split/Splitless Inlet

Exploded Parts View of the Split/Splitless Inlet

Merlin cap Septum retainer nut

Merlin Microseal Septum

Insert assembly

O-ring

Liner

Split vent line

Split/splitless inlet body

Retaining nut

Inlet gold seal


Washer

Reducing nut

Insulation

Insulation cup

Ferrule

Column nut

Figure 20. Split/splitless inlet exploded parts

Maintaining Your GC 53
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet

To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless


Inlet
Do not use hydrogen as the carrier for conditioning! It could vent into the oven and present an
WAR N IN G explosion hazard.

1 Gather the following, see “Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 50:
• Column
• Ferrule(s)
• Column nut
• Septum
• Column cutter
• Isopropanol
• Lab tissue
• Metric ruler
• Two 1/4-inch open-end wrenches
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Verify that the correct glass liner is installed. See “Consumables and Parts for the
Split/Splitless Inlet” on page 50.
4 Place the column on the hanger with the ends pointing up and the label to the front.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

5 Place a septum, capillary column nut, and ferrule on the column.

54 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet

Ferrule

Column nut

Septum

6 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

7 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good

8 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
9 Position the column so it extends 4 to 6 mm above the end of the ferrule. Slide the septum
up the column to hold the column nut at this position.

Maintaining Your GC 55
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet

4%6 mm

10 Thread the column nut into the inlet but do not tighten.

11 Adjust the column position so that the septum contacts the bottom of the column nut.
Finger-tighten the column nut until it begins to grip the column.
12 Tighten the column nut an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn with a wrench so that the column
cannot be pulled from the fitting with gentle pressure.
13 Plug in the new column’s Smart ID key. See Figure 21.

Smart ID key

Figure 21. Insert Smart ID key

14 Configure the new column.


15 Condition the column per the manufacturer’s recommendation. See To Condition a
Capillary Column.

56 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet

16 Install the column into the detector.


• To Install a Capillary Column in the FID
• To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD
• To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+
17 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
18 After the column is installed at both inlet and detector, establish a flow of carrier gas and
purge as recommended by the column manufacturer.
19 Restore the analytical method.
• For FID or FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead.
20 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes then ignite the detector flame or bead.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

21 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then retighten
the fittings.
22 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

Maintaining Your GC 57
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Change the Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet

To Change the Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 50.
• Wrench, hex for changing septum
• 0- or 00-grade steel wool (optional)
• Tweezers
• Wrench, capillary inlet (optional)
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Septum > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the septum (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap.


4 Use tweezers to remove the septum or Merlin Microseal from the insert assembly. Do not
gouge or scratch the interior of the insert assembly.

Septum retainer nut

Septum

Insert assembly

5 Firmly press the new septum or Merlin Microseal into the fitting. The metal parts side of
the Merlin Microseal should face down (toward the oven).

6 Install the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap and finger-tighten. Tighten the septum retainer
nut until the C-ring is about 1 mm above the nut.

Overtightening the septum nut can cause contamination.


C AU T I O N

58 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Change the Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet

1 mm

7 Select Maintenance > Inlets > Septum injections, then touch Reset Counter.
8 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
9 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
10 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 59
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the Split/Splitless Inlet

To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of


the Split/Splitless Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 50.
• Wrench, hex for changing septum
• 0- or 00-grade steel wool (optional)
• Tweezers
• Compressed, filtered, dry air or nitrogen
• Wrench, capillary inlet (optional)
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Slide the locking tab forward (counterclockwise). Lift the insert assembly straight up and
away from the inlet to avoid chipping or breaking the liner.

4 Remove the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap.


5 Use tweezers to remove the septum or Merlin Microseal from the retainer nut. See “To
Change the Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet” on page 58.

60 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the Split/Splitless Inlet

6 Scrub the residue from the retainer nut and septum holder with a small piece of rolled-up
steel wool and tweezers. Do not do this over the inlet.
7 Use compressed air or nitrogen to blow away the pieces of steel wool and septum.
8 Line up the tab on the bottom of the insert assembly with the slot on the inlet body and
push down to connect. Slide the locking tab to the left.

9 Firmly press the new septum or Merlin Microseal into the fitting. See “To Change the
Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet” on page 58.
10 Replace the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap and finger-tighten. See “To Change the
Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet” on page 58.
11 On the GC touchscreen select Maintenance > Inlets > Septum injections, then select Reset
Counter.
12 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
13 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
14 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 61
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the Split/Splitless Inlet

To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the


Split/Splitless Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Replacement O-ring, see “Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 50.
• Replacement liner
• Tweezers
• Wrench, hex for changing septum (optional)
• Wrench, capillary inlet (optional)
• Lint-free gloves
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Liner > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk through
the steps needed to replace the liner and O-ring (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Slide the locking tab forward (counterclockwise). Lift the insert assembly straight up and
away from the inlet to avoid chipping or breaking the liner.

4 Loosen the O-ring from the sealing surface with tweezers.

62 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the Split/Splitless Inlet

5 Grasp the liner with tweezers and pull it out.

6 Inspect the surface of the gold seal for graphite or rubber septum contamination. If
required, replace the gold seal. See“To Replace the Gold Seal on the Split/Splitless
Inlet” on page 65.

Maintaining Your GC 63
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the Split/Splitless Inlet

7 Clean the inlet if there is visible or suspected contamination. See “To Clean the
Split/Splitless Inlet” on page 69.
8 Clean O-ring residue from sealing surface.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

9 Slide a new O-ring onto the replacement liner.


10 Return the liner to the inlet, pushing it all the way in until the liner contacts the gold seal.

11 Line up the tab on the bottom of the insert assembly with the slot on the inlet body and
push down to connect. Slide the locking tab to the back.
12 Turn on the inlet. Allow the inlet and column to purge with carrier gas for 15 minutes before
heating the inlet or the column oven.
13 Bakeout contaminants. See “To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 71.
14 Configure the new column.
15 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
16 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
17 Restore the analytical method.

64 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Replace the Gold Seal on the Split/Splitless Inlet

To Replace the Gold Seal on the Split/Splitless Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement gold seal, see “Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 50.
• Replacement washer
• 1/4-inch wrench (for column)
• 1/2-inch wrench
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the inlet liner.


4 Remove the column from the inlet. Cap the open end of the column to prevent
contamination. Remove the insulation cup around the base of the inlet.

Remove insulation cup

Disconnected, capped column

5 Loosen and remove the reducing nut. Remove the washer and seal inside the reducing nut.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

Maintaining Your GC 65
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Replace the Gold Seal on the Split/Splitless Inlet

6 Put on gloves to protect the new gold seal and washer from contamination. Put a new
washer in the reducing nut and place the new gold seal on top of it (raised portion facing
down).

Inlet gold seal Gold seal side view

Washer

Reducing nut
Make sure raised portion faces
down.

7 Replace the reducing nut and tighten securely with a wrench.


8 Replace the inlet liner.
9 Install the column and the insulation cup.
10 Bakeout contaminants. See “To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 71.
11 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
12 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
13 Restore the analytical method.

66 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the Split/Splitless Inlet

To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the


Split/Splitless Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• New split vent filter cartridge. See “Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless
Inlet” on page 50.
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Split Vent Trap > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the filter (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

The split vent trap may contain residual amounts of any samples or other chemicals you
WAR N IN G have injected into the GC. Follow your company’s safety procedures for handling these types
of substances while replacing the trap filter cartridge.

3 Remove the pneumatics cover (top, back of GC). See “To Remove the Pneumatics
Cover” on page 19.
4 Completely loosen the knurled nut that secures the split vent trap in place as shown in
Figure 22.

Knurled nut secured Knurled nut loosened

Figure 22. Loosen the knurled nut

5 Slide the trap assembly back from the guided mounting bracket and tilt up to expose the
filter as shown in Figure 23.

Maintaining Your GC 67
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the Split/Splitless Inlet

Filter and O-ring

Knurled nut

Figure 23. Slide trap assembly to expose the filter

6 Remove the old filter cartridge and two O-rings.


7 Verify the new O-rings are seated properly on the new filter cartridge.
8 Install the new filter cartridge then reassemble the trap using your fingers to fully tighten
the knurled nut. The nut should thread easily.
If the knurled nut does not thread easily, loosen, reassemble the 2 parts of the trap, and
thread again. Do not force it.
9 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
10 Install the pneumatics cover.
11 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.

68 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Clean the Split/Splitless Inlet

To Clean the Split/Splitless Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 50.
• Replacement liner
• Replacement O-ring
• Replacement gold seal
• Replacement washer
• Solvent that will clean the type of deposits in your inlet
• Compressed, filtered, dry air or nitrogen
• Beaker
• Cleaning brushes—The FID cleaning kit (part number 9301-0985) contains appropriate
brushes
• Lint-free gloves
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the inlet liner, O-ring, and septum. See “To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the
Split/Splitless Inlet” on page 62.
4 Disconnect the column from the inlet.
5 Remove the reducing nut, gold seal, and washer. See “To Replace the Gold Seal on the
Split/Splitless Inlet” on page 65.
6 Place a beaker in the oven under the inlet to catch the solvent.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

7 Soak a cleaning brush in the solvent and scrub the inside of the insert assembly. Repeat
10 times.
8 Rinse the inlet with the solvent.
9 Blow the inside of the inlet dry with compressed air or nitrogen.
10 Install the gold seal, washer, and reducing nut.
11 Install the liner, O-ring, and septum.
12 Install the column. See “To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 54.

Maintaining Your GC 69
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Clean the Split/Splitless Inlet

13 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
14 Bakeout contaminants. See “To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet” on
page 71.
15 On the GC touchscreen, select Maintenance > Inlets, then touch Reset Counter.
16 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
17 Restore the analytical method.

70 Maintaining Your GC
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet

To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless


Inlet
1 Put the inlet into split mode.
2 Set the column flow to the normal operating value, or set the capillary column gas velocity
to 30 cm/s.
3 Set the inlet split vent flow to 200 mL/min.
4 Purge the column with carrier flow for at least 10 minutes before heating the oven.
5 If the column is attached to the detector, set the detector 25 °C above normal operating
temperature.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

6 If the column is not attached to the detector, cap the detector fitting.
7 Set the inlet temperature to 300 °C or 25 °C above the normal operating temperature to
bakeout contaminants from the inlet, mostly through the split vent.
8 Set the column oven 25 °C above the GC method final oven temperature to bake
contaminants from the column. Do not exceed the column manufacturer’s maximum
temperature limit.
9 Bakeout for 30 minutes or until the detector baseline is free of contamination peaks.

Maintaining Your GC 71
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet

72 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet 74

Exploded Parts View of the Purged Packed Inlet 77

To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet 78

To Change the Septum on the Purged Packed Inlet 82

To Clean the Septum Seat in the Purged Packed Inlet 84

To Install an Adapter on the Purged Packed Inlet 86

To Change the O-Ring on the Purged Packed Inlet 87

To Change the Glass Liner on the Purged Packed Inlet 88

To Clean the Purged Packed Inlet 90

To Bakeout Contaminants from the Purged Packed Inlet 92

To Install a Packed Metal Column 93

To Install a Packed Column Adapter onto a Detector 95

To Install a Packed Glass Column 97

To Condition a Packed Column 99

To Install Ferrules on a Packed Metal Column 100

Maintaining Your GC 73
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet

Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed


Inlet
See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 11 Purged packed inlet parts

Description Part number/quantity

Preventative maintenance kit 5188-6498

Purged packed glass liners and column adapters

Glass liner 5080-8732 (25/pack) or


5181-3382 deactivated (5/pack)

0.53-mm column adapter 19244-80540

1/8-inch column adapter 19243-80530

1/4-inch column adapter 19243-80540

Recommended septa and O-rings for the purged packed inlet

11-mm solid septum, low-bleed, red 5181-1263 (50/pk)

11-mm septum with partial through-hole, low-bleed, red 5181-3383 (50/pk)

11-mm septum, low-bleed, gray 5080-8896 (50/pk)

Merlin Microseal septum (30 psi) 5181-8815

11-mm high-temperature silicone septum (350 °C and higher) 5182-0739 (50/pk)

Viton O-ring (Top insert weldment) 5080-8898 (12/pk)

Packed column adapters for detectors

1/8-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81340

1/4-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81330

Table 12 Nuts and ferrules for packed columns

Description Typical use Part number/quantity

1/8-inch id Swagelok stainless steel nut, front ferrule, 1/8-inch column 5080-8751 (20 each/pk)
back ferrule

1/8-inch id Swagelok brass nut, front ferrule, back 1/8-inch column 5080-8750 (20 each/pk)
ferrule

1/8-inch id Vespel/ graphite ferrule 1/8-inch column 0100-1332 (10/pk)

1/8-inch id 1/8-inch column 5180-4103 (10/pk)


brass tubing nut

1/4-inch id Swagelok stainless steel nut, front ferrule, 1/4-inch column 5080-8753 (20 each/pk)
back ferrule

74 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet

Table 12 Nuts and ferrules for packed columns (continued)

Description Typical use Part number/quantity

1/4-inch id Swagelok brass nut, front ferrule, back 1/4-inch column 5080-8752 (20 each/pk)
ferrule

1/4-inch id Vespel/ graphite ferrule Inlet/detector liner/adapters 5080-8774 (10/pk)


1/4-inch column

1/4-inch id 1/4-inch column 5180-4105 (10/pk)


brass tubing nut

Table 13 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292


.100 to 320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292


.100 to 320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Maintaining Your GC 75
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet

Table 13 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns (continued)

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

76 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
Exploded Parts View of the Purged Packed Inlet

Exploded Parts View of the Purged Packed Inlet

Merlin cap Septum nut

Merlin Microseal Septum

Top insert weldment

O-ring

Glass liner

Ferrule

Adapter nut
Adapter

Insulation

Insulation cup

Ferrule
Column nut

Figure 24. Purged packed inlet exploded parts

Maintaining Your GC 77
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet

To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged


Packed Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Column
• Ferrule, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on page 74.
• Column nut
• Glass liner
• Viton O-ring
• 0.53-mm column adapter
• Septum
• Two 1/4-inch wrenches
• Metric ruler
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Install a 0.53-mm column adapter. See “To Install an Adapter on the Purged Packed
Inlet” on page 86.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

4 Install a new Viton O-ring. See “To Change the O-Ring on the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 87.
5 Place a septum, capillary column nut, and ferrule on the column.

Ferrule

Column nut

Septum

78 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet

6 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

7 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good
8 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
9 Position the column so it extends 1 to 2 mm above the end of the ferrule. Slide the septum
up the column to hold the column nut at this fixed position.

1%2 mm

10 Thread the column nut into the inlet adapter but do not tighten.

Maintaining Your GC 79
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet

11 Adjust the column position so that the septum is even with the bottom of the column nut.
Finger-tighten the column nut until it begins to grip the column.
12 Tighten the column nut an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn with a wrench so that the column
cannot be pulled from the fitting with gentle pressure.
13 Plug in the new column’s Smart ID key. See Figure 25.

Smart ID key

Figure 25. Insert Smart ID key

14 Configure the new column.


15 Condition the column per the manufacturer’s recommendation. See “To Condition a
Capillary Column”.
16 Install the column into the detector.
• To Install a Capillary Column in the FID
• To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD
• To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+
17 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

80 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet

18 After the column is installed at both inlet and detector, establish a flow of carrier gas and
purge as recommended by the column manufacturer.
19 Restore the analytical method.
• For FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead.
20 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes then ignite the detector flame or adjust
offset on the NPD bead.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

21 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then retighten
the fittings.
22 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

Maintaining Your GC 81
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Change the Septum on the Purged Packed Inlet

To Change the Septum on the Purged Packed Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 74.
• Septum nut wrench
• 0- or 00-grade steel wool (optional)
• Tweezers
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Septum > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the septum (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap.


4 Use tweezers to remove the septum or Merlin Microseal from the retainer nut. Do not
gouge or scratch the interior of the septum head.

Septum retainer nut

Septum

5 Firmly press the new septum or Merlin Microseal into the fitting. The metal parts side of
the Merlin Microseal should face down (toward the oven).

Merlin Microseal and cap Standard septum

82 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Change the Septum on the Purged Packed Inlet

6 Replace the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap and finger-tighten. Tighten the septum
retainer nut until the C-ring is about 1 mm above the nut.

Overtightening the septum nut can cause contamination.


C AU T I O N

1 mm

7 On the GC touchscreen, select Maintenance > Inlets > Septum injections, then touch Reset
Counter.
8 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
9 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
10 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 83
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Purged Packed Inlet

To Clean the Septum Seat in the Purged Packed


Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 74.
• Septum nut wrench
• 0- or 00-grade steel wool (optional)
• Tweezers
• Compressed, filtered, dry air or nitrogen
• Ultrasonic cleaning bath
• Lint-free gloves
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap.


4 Loosen the top insert assembly and remove.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

5 Use tweezers to remove the septum or Merlin Microseal from the top insert assembly. Do
not gouge or scratch the interior of the septum head.
6 Scrub the residue from the top insert assembly and septum nut with a small piece of
rolled-up steel wool and tweezers. Ultrasonically clean the retainer nut and top insert
assembly.
7 Use compressed air or nitrogen to blow away the pieces of steel wool and septum.
8 Wearing gloves, inspect the O-ring and replace, if necessary. See “To Change the O-Ring
on the Purged Packed Inlet” on page 87.
9 Install the top insert assembly and hand-tighten firmly.
10 Firmly press the new septum or Merlin Microseal into the fitting.
11 Install the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap and finger-tighten. Tighten the septum retainer
nut until the C-ring is about 1 mm above the nut.

Overtightening the septum nut can cause contamination.


C AU T I O N

84 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Purged Packed Inlet

1 mm

12 On the GC touchscreen select Maintenance > Inlets > Septum injections, then select Reset
Counter.
13 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
14 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
15 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 85
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install an Adapter on the Purged Packed Inlet

To Install an Adapter on the Purged Packed Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Brass tubing nut, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 74.
• Adapter (0.53 mm, 1/8-inch packed, or 1/4-inch packed)
• 7/16-inch and 9/16-inch wrench
• Vespel/graphite ferrule
• Methanol
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Clean the end of the adapter with a lint-free cloth and methanol to remove contamination
such as fingerprints.
4 Place the tubing nut and Vespel/graphite ferrule on the adapter.

Inlet fitting

Ferrule

Tubing nut

Adapter

5 Insert the adapter straight into the inlet base as far as possible.
6 Hold the adapter in this position and finger-tighten the nut.
7 Tighten an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench.
8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

86 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Change the O-Ring on the Purged Packed Inlet

To Change the O-Ring on the Purged Packed Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement O-ring, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 74.
• Septum nut wrench
• Tweezers
• Lint-free gloves
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Liner and O-Ring > Start Maintenance. The wizard will
walk through the steps needed to replace the liner and O-ring (those same steps are
repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Loosen the top insert assembly to remove the top portion of the inlet.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

4 Use tweezers to remove the old O-ring.

5 Insert a new O-ring.


6 Install and tighten the top insert assembly.
7 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
8 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
9 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 87
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Change the Glass Liner on the Purged Packed Inlet

To Change the Glass Liner on the Purged Packed


Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Replacement glass liner, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 74.
• 9/16-inch wrench
• Lint-free gloves
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Liner and O-Ring > Start Maintenance. The wizard will
walk through the steps needed to replace the liner (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Loosen the top insert assembly to remove the top portion of the inlet.

Top insert weldment

Flared end

Glass liner

4 Use a thin wire or wood splint to carefully lift and remove the old glass liner.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

5 Wearing gloves, inspect the O-ring and replace, if necessary. See “To Change the O-Ring
on the Purged Packed Inlet” on page 87.

88 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Change the Glass Liner on the Purged Packed Inlet

6 Wearing gloves, grasp the flared end (top) of the replacement glass liner with tweezers and
install it in the inlet. If the glass liner does not seat properly because a capillary column is
installed, remove the column, install the glass liner, and replace the column. See “To Install
a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet” on page 78.
7 Install the top insert assembly and hand-tighten firmly.
8 Configure the new liner.
9 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
10 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
11 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 89
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Clean the Purged Packed Inlet

To Clean the Purged Packed Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement O-ring, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 74.
• Replacement glass liner
• Replacement septum
• Solvent that will clean the type of deposits in your inlet
• Compressed, filtered, dry air or nitrogen
• Beaker
• Cleaning brushes—The FID cleaning kit (part number 9301-0985) contains appropriate
brushes
• Lint-free gloves
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the column.


4 Remove the septum nut and septum.
5 Remove the top insert assembly.
6 Remove the glass liner and O-ring.
7 If used, remove the adapter.
8 Ultrasonically clean the septum nut, top insert assembly, and adapter (if used) in a suitable
solvent.
9 Place a beaker in the oven under the inlet to catch the solvent.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

10 Soak a cleaning brush with the solvent and vigorously scrub the interior walls of the inlet.
11 Blow the inside of the inlet dry with compressed air or nitrogen.
12 Install the adapter, if used. See “To Install an Adapter on the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 86.
13 Install the glass liner and O-ring. See “To Change the Glass Liner on the Purged Packed
Inlet” on page 88.
14 Install the top insert assembly and finger-tighten.

90 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Clean the Purged Packed Inlet

15 Install the septum and septum nut. See “To Change the Septum on the Purged Packed
Inlet” on page 82.
16 Attach the column. See “To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 78.
17 Set the septum and glass liner counters.
18 Perform the inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
19 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
20 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 91
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Purged Packed Inlet

To Bakeout Contaminants from the Purged Packed


Inlet
1 Set the column flow to the normal operating value, or set the capillary column gas velocity
to 30 cm/s.
2 Purge the column with carrier flow for at least 10 minutes before heating the oven.
3 If the column is attached to the detector, set the detector 25 °C above normal operating
temperature.
If the column is not attached to the detector, cap the detector fitting.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

4 Set the inlet temperature to 300 °C or 25 °C above the normal operating temperature.
5 Set the column oven 25 °C above the GC method final oven temperature to bake
contaminants out of the inlet. Do not exceed the column manufacturer’s maximum
temperature limit.
6 Bakeout for 30 minutes or until the detector baseline is free of contamination peaks.

92 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Packed Metal Column

To Install a Packed Metal Column


1 Gather the following:
• 7/16-inch, 9/16-inch, and 1/2-inch wrenches
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.
3 Prepare the packed metal column. See “To Install Ferrules on a Packed Metal Column” on
page 100.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

4 Install the 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch packed column inlet adapter, if necessary. See “To Install
an Adapter on the Purged Packed Inlet” on page 86.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

5 Attach the column to the inlet adapter. Finger-tighten the nut.


6 Tighten the nut an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench (for a 1/8-inch column) or an
additional 3/4 turn (for a 1/4-inch column).
Use two wrenches, one on the column nut and the other on the adapter, to prevent the
adapter from rotating.
7 Press Settings > Configuration > Columns, then select Columns 1 through 6. Select
Column Type > Packed, then choose your Inlet and Outlet Connection to identify the inlet
and detector to which the column is attached.
8 Scroll down to manually set your column temperatures.

Do not use hydrogen as the carrier for conditioning! It could vent into the oven and present an
WAR N IN G explosion hazard.

9 Condition the column, if necessary. See “To Condition a Packed Column” on page 99.
10 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

11 If required, install a packed column adapter onto the detector column fitting. See “To
Install a Packed Column Adapter onto a Detector” on page 95.
12 Place a nut and ferrule onto the packed column.

Maintaining Your GC 93
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Packed Metal Column

13 Attach the column to the detector or detector adapter. Finger-tighten the nut.

Adapter

Ferrule

Nut

Packed column

14 Using two wrenches, one on the adapter and one on the column nut, tighten the column
nut an additional 1/4 turn (for a 1/8-inch column) or an additional 3/4 turn (for a 1/4-inch
column).
15 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
16 Establish a flow of carrier gas and purge as recommended by the packing manufacturer.
Generally:
• 20 to 30 mL/min for 2-mm id glass or 1/8-inch od metal columns
• 50 to 60 mL/min for 4-mm id glass or 1/4-inch od metal columns
17 Heat the oven to 200 °C, cool it to a safe handling temperature, then re-tighten the column
connection. (Re-tighten until snug, only about 15 degrees rotation.) Repeat two more
times. This process will set the Vespel/graphite ferrule to help prevent leaks.
18 Restore the analytical method.
• For FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead.
19 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes then ignite the detector flame or adjust
offset on the NPD bead.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

20 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then retighten
the fittings.
21 Perform the inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

94 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Packed Column Adapter onto a Detector

To Install a Packed Column Adapter onto a


Detector
This procedure applies to the FID, FPD+, NPD, and TCD.
1 Gather the following:
• Packed column adapter, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 74.
• Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id
• 7/16-inch wrench (for the packed column adapter and 1/8-inch packed column nuts)
• 9/16-inch wrench (for 1/4-inch packed column nuts)
• 1/8-inch nut and ferrule for a 1/8-inch packed column, or a 1/4-inch nut and ferrule for a
1/4-inch packed column
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N
Handle the adapter carefully and install the packed column before installing the adapter into
the detector base. The thin-walled capillary tube that carries the sample into the detector can
be damaged by rough handling.

3 Place a ferrule onto the packed column adapter.

'HWHFWRUÀWWLQJ

Ferrule

Capillary tube

Packed column adapter

4 Carefully install the adapter assembly into the detector fitting. Align the adapter so the it
enters the detector fitting as vertically as possible. Avoid stressing the adapter capillary
tube. Finger-tighten the adapter into the detector base, then tighten an additional 1/8 turn
using a wrench.

Maintaining Your GC 95
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Packed Column Adapter onto a Detector

Detector fitting

5 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
After installation, heat the oven to 200 °C, cool it to a safe handling temperature, then re-tighten
the column connection. (Re-tighten until snug, only about 15 degrees rotation.) Repeat two
more times. This process will set the Vespel/graphite ferrule to help prevent leaks.

96 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Packed Glass Column

To Install a Packed Glass Column


1 Gather the following:
• 9/16-inch wrench
• Two 1/4-inch brass nuts, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet” on
page 74.
• Two 1/4-inch Vespel/graphite ferrules
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Assemble a brass nut and Vespel/graphite ferrule on each end of the column.

Glass columns must be simultaneously inserted into the inlet and detector and installed
parallel to the oven door. When conditioning the column, do not attach the column to the
detector.
4 If conditioning the column, insert the column into the purged packed inlet until it bottoms.
Withdraw the column 1 to 2 mm. Finger-tighten the inlet column nut. See “To Condition a
Packed Column” on page 99.

Overtightening the column nut or forcing it to bottom in either the inlet or detector may
C AU T I O N shatter the column.

5 Tighten the inlet column nut 1/4 turn with a wrench.

Do not use hydrogen as the carrier for conditioning! It could vent into the oven and present an
WAR N IN G explosion hazard.

6 After conditioning, remove the column from the inlet.


7 Simultaneously insert the column into the inlet and detector fittings but do not force it. It
may be necessary to start the long end of the column in the inlet at an angle to clear the oven
floor.

Maintaining Your GC 97
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install a Packed Glass Column

8 Withdraw the column 1 to 2 mm from both the inlet and detector. Finger-tighten both
column nuts.

Overtightening the column nut or forcing it to bottom in either the inlet or detector may
C AU T I O N shatter the column.

9 Tighten both column nuts 1/4 turn with a wrench.


10 Press Settings > Configuration > Columns, then select Columns 1 through 6. Select
Column Type > Packed, then choose your Inlet and Outlet Connection to identify the inlet
and detector to which the column is attached.
11 Scroll down to manually set your column temperatures.
12 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
13 Establish a flow of carrier gas and purge as recommended by the packing manufacturer.
Generally:
• 20 to 30 mL/min for 2-mm id glass or 1/8-inch od metal columns
• 50 to 60 mL/min for 4-mm id glass or 1/4-inch od metal columns
14 Restore the analytical method.
• For FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead.
15 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes then ignite the detector flame or adjust
offset on the NPD bead.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

16 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then retighten
the fittings.
17 Perform the inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

98 Maintaining Your GC
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Condition a Packed Column

To Condition a Packed Column


1 Gather the following:
• Capillary adapter
• Column nut and no-hole ferrule or blanking nut
• Two 7/16-inch wrenches
• 1/4-inch open-end wrench
• Lint-free gloves

Do not use hydrogen as the carrier for conditioning! It could vent into the oven and present an
WAR N IN G explosion hazard.

2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Install the proper liner in the inlet and attach the column. See “To Install a Packed Metal
Column” on page 93.
4 If present, remove the packed column adapter from the detector base. (If it is installed to
the column, it can be conditioned with the column.)
5 Cap the detector fitting with the no-hole ferrule and column nut, or with a blanking nut.
6 Enter a column flow as recommended by the packing manufacturer or an appropriate flow
as follows:
• 20 to 30 mL/min for 2-mm id glass or 1/8-inch od metal columns
• 50 to 60 mL/min for 4-mm id glass or 1/4-inch od metal columns
7 Raise the oven temperature slowly to the conditioning temperature for the column. The
conditioning temperature is never higher than the maximum temperature limit for the
column; 30 °C less than the maximum is usually sufficient.
8 Continue conditioning overnight at the final temperature. Cool the oven to room
temperature with carrier flow on.
9 Attach the column to the detector and maintain established flow. See “To Install a Packed
Metal Column” on page 93.
10 Perform the inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
11 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

Maintaining Your GC 99
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
To Install Ferrules on a Packed Metal Column

To Install Ferrules on a Packed Metal Column


1 Gather the following:
• Wrenches
• Stainless steel male Swagelok fitting, 1/4- or 1/8-inch od
• Brass Swagelok nut and ferrule set, see “Consumables and Parts for the Purged
Packed Inlet” on page 74.
• Lint-free gloves
2 Verify that the column end is cut square and is free of burns and deformation.
3 Secure the fitting in a bench vise.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

4 Assemble a Swagelok nut and ferrules onto the column.

Front ferrule
Back ferrule
Column nut

5 Fully insert the column into the vise-held fitting, then withdraw 1–2 mm. Finger-tighten the
nut.
6 Tighten the nut an additional 3/4 turn with a wrench (for a 1/8-inch column) or an
additional 1-1/4 turn (for a 1/4-inch column).
7 Unscrew the column nut from the vise-held fitting and remove the column. Ferrules should
now be set in place on the column with the column end correctly positioned.

100 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet 102

Exploded Parts View of the Cool On-Column Inlet 105

To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet 106

To Check the Needle-to-Column Size on the COC Inlet 109

To Change a Septum on the COC Inlet 110

To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet 112

To Clean the COC Inlet 114

To Replace the 7693A Injector Needle Support Guide 116

To Replace a Needle in a Syringe 117

To Replace the Fused Silica Needle in a Syringe for the COC Inlet 118

To Bakeout Contaminants from the COC Inlet 119

Maintaining Your GC 101


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet

Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column


Inlet
See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 14 Recommended parts for injections onto 0.53-mm fused silica columns

Column type Part number

Insert, fused silica, 0.53 mm id 19245-20580 (no rings)

Septum nut, 530 µm G1545-80530

Syringe barrel, removable needle, 5 µL 5182-0836

Needle, 530 µm (3/pk) 5182-0832

Plunger button, 10/pk, for manual injections using syringe barrel 5182-0836 5181-8866

On-column insert spring 19245-60760

Needle support assembly, 530 µm, for 7683B injector G2913-60977

Table 15 Recommended parts for injections onto 0.53-mm aluminum-clad columns

Column type Part number

Insert, aluminum-clad, 0.53 mm id 19245-20780 (4 rings)

Septum nut, 530 µm G1545-80530

Syringe barrel, removable needle, 5 µL 5182-0836

Needle, 530 µm (3/pk) 5182-0832

Plunger button, 10/pk, for manual injections using syringe barrel 5182-0836 5181-8866

On-column insert spring 19245-60760

Needle support assembly, 530 µm, for 7683B injector G2913-60977

Table 16 Recommended parts for injections onto 0.32-mm fused silica columns

Column type Part number

Insert, fused silica, 0.32 mm id 19245-20525 (5 rings)

Septum nut, 250/320 µm 19245-80521

Syringe barrel, removable needle, 5 µL 5182-0836

Needle, 320 µm (3/pk) 5182-0831

Plunger button, 10/pk, for manual injections using syringe barrel 5182-0836 5181-8866

On-column insert spring 19245-60760

102 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet

Table 16 Recommended parts for injections onto 0.32-mm fused silica columns (continued)

Column type Part number

Needle support assembly, 250/320 µm, for 7683B injector G2913-60978

Table 17 Recommended parts for injections onto 0.25-mm fused silica columns

Column type Part number

Insert, 0.25 mm id 19245-20515 (6 rings)

Septum nut, 250/320 µm 19245-80521

Syringe barrel, removable needle, 5 µL 5182-0836

Needle, 250 µm (3/pk) 5182-0833

Plunger button, 10/pk, for manual injections using syringe barrel 5182-0836 5181-8866

On-column insert spring 19245-60760

Needle support assembly, 250/320 µm, for 7683B injector G2913-60978

Table 18 Recommended parts for injections onto 0.2-mm fused silica columns

Description Part number/quantity

Insert, fused silica, 0.20 mm id 19245-20510

Cooling tower assembly 19320-80625

Syringe barrel, for fused silica needle, 10 µL 9301-0658

Replacement needles, fused silica, 0.18 mm 19091-63000 (6/pk)

Replacement PTFE ferrule for fused silica syringe 0100-1389

Removable stainless steel needle syringe, 10 µL 5182-9633

Replacement stainless steel needles, 0.23 mm 5182-9645 (3/pk)

On-column insert spring 19245-60760

Table 19 Recommended septa for the COC inlet

Description Part number/quantity

For 0.53-mm and 0.25/0.32-mm septum nuts

5-mm solid septum for manual and automatic injection 5181-1261

5-mm long-life septum 5183-4762 (50/pk)

5-mm advanced green septum 5183-4760 (50/pk)

5-mm, high-temperature, low-bleed septum 5183-4758 (50/pk)

5-mm through-hole septum for automatic injection 5181-1260 (25/pk)

Maintaining Your GC 103


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet

Table 19 Recommended septa for the COC inlet (continued)

Description Part number/quantity

For the duckbill septum

Duckbill septum for manual injection only (must use cooling tower with duckbill) 19245-40050 (10/pk)

Table 20 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.100 and 200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

104 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
Exploded Parts View of the Cool On-Column Inlet

Exploded Parts View of the Cool On-Column Inlet

Septum nut
(0.53 mm)
Cooling tower assembly
Septum nut
(0.25-mm and 0.32-mm
columns)
Duckbill septum
Septum

Spring

Insert

Ferrule

Column nut

Figure 26. Cool on-column inlet exploded parts

Maintaining Your GC 105


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet

To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool


On-Column Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Column nut and ferrule, see “Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet” on
page 102.
• Column cutter
• 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch wrenches
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Before installing the column, be sure the correct insert is installed for the needle and
column. See “To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet” on page 112.
4 Place a capillary column nut and ferrule on the column.

Ferrule

Column nut

5 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

106 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet

6 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good

7 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
8 Gently insert the column into the inlet until it bottoms. You should feel spring tension as
you push up on the column. (Do not withdraw the column.)
9 Insert the column nut into the inlet fitting and finger-tighten.

To avoid bending the inlet, always use two wrenches. Use a 5/16-inch wrench to support the
WAR N IN G inlet while tightening the column nut with a 1/4-inch wrench.

10 Tighten the column nut an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench or until the column does not
move.
11 If using an automatic injection system with a 0.25-mm or 0.32-mm column, verify that the
column installation by manually pushing the syringe into the inlet.

Maintaining Your GC 107


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet

12 Plug in the new column’s Smart ID key. See Figure 27.

Smart ID key

Figure 27. Insert Smart ID key

13 Configure the new column.


14 Condition the column per the manufacturer’s recommendation. See To Condition a
Capillary Column.
15 Install the column into the detector.
• To Install a Capillary Column in the FID
• To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD
• To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+
16 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
17 After the column is installed at both inlet and detector, establish a flow of carrier gas and
purge as recommended by the column manufacturer.
18 Restore the analytical method.
• For FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead
19 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes then ignite the detector flame or adjust
offset on the NPD bead.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

20 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then retighten
the fittings.
21 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

108 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Check the Needle-to-Column Size on the COC Inlet

To Check the Needle-to-Column Size on the COC


Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Insert, see “Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet” on page 102.
• Syringe needle
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Check that the needle is the correct size for the desired column id. If needed, replaced the
needle with one of the correct size. See “Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column
Inlet” on page 102, and “To Replace a Needle in a Syringe” on page 117 or “To Replace
the Fused Silica Needle in a Syringe for the COC Inlet” on page 118.
4 Identify the correct insert for the column size. See “Consumables and Parts for the Cool
On-Column Inlet” on page 102. Use the insert that is the same size as the syringe needle to
verify that the column you plan to use is the correct size.
5 Make a clean cut on the end of the column. See “To Install a Capillary Column with the
Cool On-Column Inlet” on page 106.
6 Insert the column into one end of the insert.

Syringe

Insert

Column

7 Insert the syringe needle through the other end of the insert and into the column. The
needle should visibly enter the column without any obstruction. If the needle cannot pass
easily into the column, reverse the insert to try the needle and column in the other end.
8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

Maintaining Your GC 109


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Change a Septum on the COC Inlet

To Change a Septum on the COC Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet” on
page 102.
• Tweezers
• A thin wire (0.2-inch diameter) for removing septum from inlet
• Lint-free gloves
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Septum > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the septum (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Replace the septum.


• If you are using a septum nut, grasp the knurling and unscrew. Remove the old septum
with tweezers.
• Use tweezers to install a new septum. Push the septum into the septum nut until
properly seated. Firmly tighten the nut.

For 250/320-µm For 530-µm automated


automated injections injections

• If you are using a cooling tower, grasp the three rings and unscrew. The spring and
duckbill septum may pop out of the inlet when you remove the cooling tower. Be careful
not to lose them. If they do not pop out, use a thin wire to remove them from the inlet.
Insert the replacement duckbill septum into the spring and place in the inlet. Reattach
the cooling tower assembly, then finger-tighten.

110 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Change a Septum on the COC Inlet

For manual 200-µm injections with


fused silica needle

4 Before making an injection, check the alignment of the entire assembly using the proper
size syringe.
5 On the GC touchscreen select Maintenance > Inlets > Septum injections, then touch Reset
Counter.
6 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
7 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
8 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 111


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet

To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Lint-free gloves
• Replacement insert, see “Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet” on
page 102.
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Remove the column from the inlet.


4 Locate the septum nut or cooling tower assembly at the top of the inlet and remove it. If
the septum remains in the septum nut, do not remove it unless you want to change it. If
necessary, replace the existing septum or duckbill with a new one. See “To Change a
Septum on the COC Inlet” on page 110.
5 Remove the spring from the inlet with an extraction wire (or tweezers) and set it aside. Be
careful not to lose or damage it because you will use the spring to keep the new insert in
position.

6 Remove the existing insert from the inlet by gently pushing it out from below with a wire or
piece of column. Store the insert for possible later use.

112 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet

7 Check that the insert is the correct size for both the needle and column. See “To Check the
Needle-to-Column Size on the COC Inlet” on page 109.
8 Lower the new insert straight into the inlet from the top. The insert can be installed either
end up.
9 Install the spring on top of the insert.
10 Install the septum and septum nut or duckbill septum and cooling tower assembly and
finger-tighten.
11 Install the column. See “To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet” on
page 106.
12 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

Maintaining Your GC 113


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Clean the COC Inlet

To Clean the COC Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch wrenches
• Cleansing bath
• Aqueous detergent
• Distilled water
• Methanol
• Compressed, filtered, dry air or nitrogen
• Lint-free gloves
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Remove the column.


4 Remove the septum nut or cooling tower and then remove the septum.
5 Remove the existing insert from the inlet by gently pushing it out from below with a wire or
piece of column. Store the insert for possible later use.

6 Fill an ultrasonic cleansing bath with aqueous detergent and place the spring and insert
into it. Sonicate for 1 minute.
7 Drain the aqueous detergent and fill the bath with distilled water. Sonicate for 1 minute.

114 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Clean the COC Inlet

8 Remove the spring and insert from the bath and rinse thoroughly with water and methanol.
9 Dry the spring and insert with compressed air or nitrogen.
10 Install the insert. See “To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet” on page 112.
11 Install the column. See “To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet” on
page 106.
12 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

Maintaining Your GC 115


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Replace the 7693A Injector Needle Support Guide

To Replace the 7693A Injector Needle Support


Guide
Before using a 7693A ALS to make injections onto the COC inlet, install the on-column needle
support guide.
Refer to the 7693A ALS documentation for complete details.

Standard needle
support guide

On-column
needle support
guide

1 Open the injector door.


2 Remove the syringe.
3 Slide the syringe carriage up to the top position.
4 Completely remove the T-10 Torx screw from the support foot. Be careful to not let the
screw fall into the turret assembly.
5 Slide off the support foot.
6 Slide on the new support foot.
7 Replace the T-10 Torx screw and tighten.
8 Install the appropriate syringe.
9 Close the injector door.
10 Align the injector.

116 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Replace a Needle in a Syringe

To Replace a Needle in a Syringe


1 Gather the following, see Table 17, “Recommended parts for injections onto 0.25-mm
fused silica columns,” on page 103:
• Syringe barrel
• Needle, 250-µm or 320-µm
2 Unscrew the syringe barrel cap and remove the spring.
3 Make sure that the needle has the PTFE disk as shown below. If the syringe barrel does not
have the PTFE disk, use the instructions in the syringe box to wrap the needle.

Plunger

Barrel
PTFE disk
Stop

Needle
Needle

Spring

Cap

4 Check the new needle for a small wire inserted for shipment. Remove the wire if present.
5 Slide the spring and the cap over the needle.
6 Insert the needle into the syringe barrel.
7 Screw the cap back on the syringe barrel.

Maintaining Your GC 117


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Replace the Fused Silica Needle in a Syringe for the COC Inlet

To Replace the Fused Silica Needle in a Syringe for


the COC Inlet
The fused silica needle and syringe are only used with the cooling tower and duckbill septum
NOTE for manual, on-column injections onto 200-µm columns.

1 Gather the following:


• New fused silica syringe needle, see “Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column
Inlet” on page 102.
• Solvent

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

2 Loosen the retaining nut and remove the old needle.


3 Hold the syringe vertically and insert the new fused silica needle so it is visible inside the
syringe barrel. If the needle cannot be inserted into the syringe barrel, the PTFE ferrule may
be blocked. You may need to replace the ferrule.
4 Push the plunger down until it bottoms. The needle will be flush with the plunger end.

Fused silica needle

PTFE ferrule

5 Finger-tighten the retaining nut. Pull the needle gently to be sure the PTFE ferrule has
formed a tight seal with the needle. Tighten the retaining nut further, if necessary.
6 Loosen the retaining nut just enough so the needle is again free.
7 Depress the syringe plunger slowly until it pushes the needle to the end of the barrel, then
finger-tighten the retaining nut.
8 Use a solvent to rinse the syringe and check for leaks or blocks. Leaks may be fixed by
further tightening the retaining nut. Blocks or serious leaks require repeating this
procedure.

118 Maintaining Your GC


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Bakeout Contaminants from the COC Inlet

To Bakeout Contaminants from the COC Inlet


1 Set the column flow to the normal operating value, or set the capillary column gas velocity
to 30 cm/s.
2 Purge the column with carrier flow for at least 10 minutes before heating the oven.
3 Set the inlet mode to Oven Track.
4 If the column is attached to the detector, set the detector 25 °C above normal operating
temperature.
If the column is not attached to the detector, cap the detector fitting.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

5 Set the column oven 25 °C above the GC method final oven temperature to bake
contaminants out of the inlet. Do not exceed the column manufacturer’s maximum
temperature limit.
6 Bakeout for 30 minutes or until the detector baseline is free of contamination peaks.

Maintaining Your GC 119


7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
To Bakeout Contaminants from the COC Inlet

120 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet 122

Exploded Parts View of the MMI 124

To Install the Column Nut Adapter 125

To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet 126

To Change the Septum on the MMI 130

To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the MMI 132

To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the MMI 134

To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the MMI 137

To Clean the Multimode Inlet 139

To Bakeout Contaminants from the MMI 141

Maintaining Your GC 121


8 Maintaining the MMI
Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet

Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 21 Split, splitless, direct, and direct connect inlet liners

Mode Description Deactivated Part number

Split Low-pressure drop, glass wool, single taper, 870 µL Yes 5183-4647

Split Glass wool, 990 µL No 19251-60540

Split—Manual only Empty pin and cup, 800 µL No 18740-80190

Split—Manual only Packed pin and cup, 800 µL No 18740-60840

Splitless Single taper, glass wool, 900 µL Yes 5062-3587

Splitless Single taper, no glass wool, 900 µL Yes 5181-3316

Splitless Dual taper, no glass wool, 800 µL Yes 5181-3315

Splitless—Direct inject 2-mm id, quartz, 250 µL No 18740-80220

Splitless—Direct inject 2-mm id, 250 µL Yes 5181-8818

Direct inject —Headspace or purge 1.5-mm id, 140 µL No 18740-80200


and trap

Direct column connect Single taper, splitless 4-mm id Yes G1544-80730

Direct column connect Dual taper, splitless 4-mm id Yes G1544-80700

Table 22 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

122 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet

Table 22 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns (continued)

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

Table 23 Other consumables and parts for the multimode inlet (MMI)

Description/quantity Part number

Septum retainer nut for headspace 18740-60830

Septum retainer nut 18740-60835

11-mm septum, high-temperature, low-bleed, 50/pk 5183-4757

11-mm septum, prepierced, long life, 50/pk 5183-4761

Merlin Microseal septum (high-pressure) 5182-3444

Merlin Microseal septum (30 psi) 5181-8815

Nonstick fluorocarbon liner O-ring (for temperatures up to 350 °C), 5188-5365


10/pk

Graphite O-ring for split liner (for temperatures above 350 °C), 10/pk 5180-4168

Graphite O-ring for splitless liner (for temperatures above 350 °C), 5180-4173
10/pk

Split vent trap PM kit, single cartridge 5188-6495

Column nut, blanking plug 5020-8294

Cleaning kit, multimode inlet. (Contains 5 each abrasive swabs and G3510-60820
5 each cotton swabs.)

Column nut adapter G3510-20018

Maintaining Your GC 123


8 Maintaining the MMI
Exploded Parts View of the MMI

Exploded Parts View of the MMI

Merlin cup Septum retainer nut


Septum
Merlin Microseal
Insert assembly

O-ring
Split vent line

Liner

Cryo for CO2

Split vent line

Inlet base

Column nut

Insulation

Insulation cup

Screws

Figure 28. Multimode inlet exploded parts

124 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Install the Column Nut Adapter

To Install the Column Nut Adapter


1 Gather the following, see “Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet” on page 122:
• Column nut adapter
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 When the GC is ready, open the GC oven door.


4 Thread the column adapter nut onto the base of the inlet.

Column nut adapter


Orient as shown.

The nut must spin freely before it can be used to install a column.

Maintaining Your GC 125


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet

To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode


Inlet
Do not use hydrogen as the carrier for conditioning! It could vent into the oven and present an
WAR N IN G explosion hazard.

1 Gather the following, see “Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet” on page 122:
• Column
• Ferrule(s)
• Column nut
• Septum
• Column cutter
• Isopropanol
• Lab tissue
• Metric ruler
• Two 1/4-inch open-end wrenches
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Verify that the correct glass liner is installed. See “Consumables and Parts for the
Multimode Inlet” on page 122.
4 Place the column on the hanger with the ends pointing up and the label to the front.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

5 Place a septum, capillary column nut, and ferrule on the column.

126 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet

Ferrule

Column nut

Septum

6 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

7 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good

8 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
9 Position the column so it extends 10 to 12 mm above the end of the ferrule. Slide the
septum up the column to hold the column nut at this position.

Maintaining Your GC 127


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet

10%12 mm

10 While holding the inlet base with a wrench thread the column nut into the inlet (but do not
tighten).

11 Adjust the column position so that the septum contacts the bottom of the column nut.
Finger-tighten the column nut until it begins to grip the column.
12 While holding the inlet base with one wrench, use the second wrench to tighten the column
nut an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn so that the column cannot be pulled from the fitting with
gentle pressure.

13 Plug in the new column’s Smart ID key. See Figure 29.

128 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode Inlet

Smart ID key

Figure 29. Insert Smart ID key

14 Configure the new column.


15 Condition the column per the manufacturer’s recommendation. See To Condition a
Capillary Column.
16 Install the column into the detector.
• To Install a Capillary Column in the FID
• To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD
• To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+
17 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
18 After the column is installed at both inlet and detector, establish a flow of carrier gas and
purge as recommended by the column manufacturer.
19 Restore the analytical method.
• For FID or FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead.
20 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes then ignite the detector flame or bead.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

21 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then retighten
the fittings.
22 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

Maintaining Your GC 129


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Change the Septum on the MMI

To Change the Septum on the MMI


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet” on
page 122.
• Wrench, hex for changing septum
• 0- or 00-grade steel wool (optional)
• Tweezers
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the multimode inlet, then
select Perform Maintenance > Replace Septum > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the septum (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap.


4 Use tweezers to remove the septum or Merlin Microseal from the insert assembly. Do not
gouge or scratch the interior of the insert assembly.

Septum retainer nut

Septum

Insert assembly

5 Firmly press the new septum or Merlin Microseal into the fitting. The metal parts side of
the Merlin Microseal should face down (toward the oven).

6 Install the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap and finger-tighten. Tighten the septum retainer
nut until the C-ring is about 1 mm above the nut.

Overtightening the septum nut can cause contamination.


C AU T I O N

130 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Change the Septum on the MMI

1 mm

7 On the GC touchscreen, select Maintenance > Inlets > Septum injections, then touch Reset
Counter.
8 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
9 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
10 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 131


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the MMI

To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of


the MMI
1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet” on
page 122.
• Wrench, hex for changing septum
• 0- or 00-grade steel wool (optional)
• Tweezers
• Compressed, filtered, dry air or nitrogen
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Slide the locking tab forward (counterclockwise). Lift the insert assembly straight up and
away from the inlet to avoid chipping or breaking the liner.

4 Remove the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap.


5 Use tweezers to remove the septum or Merlin Microseal from the retainer nut. See “To
Change the Septum on the MMI” on page 130.
6 Scrub the residue from the retainer nut and septum holder with a small piece of rolled-up
steel wool and tweezers. Do not do this over the inlet.

132 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the MMI

7 Use compressed air or nitrogen to blow away the pieces of steel wool and septum.
8 Line up the tab on the bottom of the insert assembly with the slot on the inlet body and
push down to connect. Slide the locking tab to the left.

9 Firmly press the new septum or Merlin Microseal into the fitting. See “To Change the
Septum on the MMI” on page 130.
10 Replace the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap and finger-tighten. See “To Change the
Septum on the MMI” on page 130.
11 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
12 On the GC touchscreen select Maintenance > Inlets > Septum injections, then select Reset
Counter.
13 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
14 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 133


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the MMI

To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the MMI


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement O-ring, see “Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet” on
page 122.
• Replacement liner
• Tweezers
• Wrench, hex for changing septum (optional)
• Wrench, capillary inlet (optional)
• Lint-free gloves
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the multimode inlet, then
select Perform Maintenance > Replace Liner > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the liner and O-ring (those same steps are repeated
below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Slide the locking tab forward (counterclockwise). Lift the insert assembly straight up and
away from the inlet to avoid chipping or breaking the liner.

4 Loosen the O-ring from the sealing surface with tweezers.

134 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the MMI

5 Grasp the liner with tweezers and pull it out.

6 Inspect the surface of the seal for contamination. If required, clean with cotton swabs.

Maintaining Your GC 135


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the MMI

Clean the inlet if there is visible or suspected contamination. See “To Clean the
Multimode Inlet” on page 139.
Clean O-ring residue from sealing surface.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

7 Slide a new O-ring onto the replacement liner.


8 Install the liner to the inlet, pushing it all the way in until the liner contacts the seal.

9 Line up the tab on the bottom of the insert assembly with the slot on the inlet body and
push down to connect. Slide the locking tab to the back.
10 Turn on the inlet. Allow the inlet and column to purge with carrier gas for 15 minutes before
heating the inlet or the column oven.
11 Bakeout contaminants. See “To Bakeout Contaminants from the MMI” on page 141.
12 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
13 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
14 Restore the analytical method.

136 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the MMI

To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the


MMI
1 Gather the following:
• New split vent filter cartridge, see “Consumables and Parts for the Multimode Inlet” on
page 122.
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the multimode inlet, then
select Perform Maintenance > Replace Split Vent Trap > Start Maintenance. The wizard
will walk through the steps needed to replace the filter (those same steps are repeated
below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

The split vent trap may contain residual amounts of any samples or other chemicals you
WAR N IN G have injected into the GC. Follow your company’s safety procedures for handling these types
of substances while replacing the trap filter cartridge.

3 Remove the “To Remove the Pneumatics Cover” on page 19 (top, back of GC).
4 Completely loosen the knurled nut that secures the split vent trap in place as shown in
Figure 30.

Knurled nut secured Knurled nut loosened

Figure 30. Loosen knurled nut

5 Slide the trap assembly back from the guided mounting bracket and tilt up to expose the
filter as shown in Figure 31.

Maintaining Your GC 137


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the MMI

Filter and O-ring

Knurled nut

Figure 31. Slide trap assembly to expose the filter

6 Remove the old filter cartridge and two O-rings.


7 Verify the new O-rings are seated properly on the new filter cartridge.
8 Install the new filter cartridge then reassemble the trap using your fingers to fully tighten
the knurled nut. The nut should thread easily.
If the knurled nut does not thread easily, loosen, reassemble the 2 parts of the trap, and
thread again. Do not force it.
9 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
10 Install the pneumatics cover.
11 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.

138 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Clean the Multimode Inlet

To Clean the Multimode Inlet


This procedure explains how to clean the Multi Mode Inlet (MMI). Depending on the inlet mode
used, the liner installed, and the cleanliness of the sample, the frequency of cleaning may
range from weekly to monthly. Start with a visual inspection of the inlet bottom whenever
changing the liner. A small ring of material will collect at the bottom of the inlet when injecting
dirty samples such as food extracts or solid waste. Try an initial cleaning schedule of every two
weeks for dirty samples and every two months for clean samples and adjust as needed.
1 Gather the following:
• Cleaning kit, multimode inlet (G3510-60820). Contains 5 each abrasive swabs and
5 each cotton swabs.
• Solvent for cleaning (at least 25 mL of acetone, isopropanol, or hexane, whichever is
most appropriate for your sample matrix).
• 100 mL beaker or similar container to the catch solvent rinse.
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If the inlet is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Turn off the GC.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

4 Remove the inlet liner. See “To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the MMI” on page 134.
5 Remove the column from the inlet. See “To Install a Capillary Column with the Multimode
Inlet” on page 126.
6 Place the glass beaker or other container in the GC oven, below the MMI inlet, so it will
catch any solvent that drips through the inlet body.
7 Moisten a cotton swab with solvent and wipe the inside bottom seal of the inlet repeatedly
to remove any loose material from the MMI. If desired, the cotton swab can be used to
clean the bore of the inlet. For most samples, this is not necessary. Dispose of the swab
after a single use.
8 Using a dry abrasive swab, place the swab all the way to the bottom of the inlet and with
moderate pressure, twist the swab forwards and backwards while it is in contact with the
bottom of the MMI (approximately 20 cycles should be sufficient). The abrasive swab can
be used multiple times.

Maintaining Your GC 139


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Clean the Multimode Inlet

9 Using a second solvent moistened cotton swab, wipe the bottom of the inlet to remove any
residue. Depending on the amount of use and maximum temperature used, the bottom of
the inlet may still show some oxidation (light brown color). This is normal and will not
affect inlet performance. Repeat steps 3-5 (if necessary) to remove any remaining
deposits.
10 Using clean solvent, rinse the inlet volume several times but never overfill the inlet bore.
Position a container under the column opening in the inlet to catch the used solvent exiting
the bottom of the MMI.
11 Allow the inlet to dry.
12 Install the liner and O-ring.
13 Reinstall the column.
14 Turn on the GC.
15 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
16 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
17 Restore the analytical method.

140 Maintaining Your GC


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Bakeout Contaminants from the MMI

To Bakeout Contaminants from the MMI


1 Put the inlet into split mode.
2 Set the column flow to the normal operating value, or set the capillary column gas velocity
to 30 cm/s.
3 Set the inlet split vent flow to 200 mL/min.
4 Purge the column with carrier flow for at least 10 minutes before heating the oven.
5 If the column is attached to the detector, set the detector 25 °C above normal operating
temperature.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

6 If the column is not attached to the detector, cap the detector fitting.
7 Set the inlet temperature to 300 °C or 25 °C above the normal operating temperature to
bakeout contaminants from the inlet, mostly through the split vent.
8 Set the column oven 25 °C above the GC method final oven temperature to bake
contaminants from the column. Do not exceed the column manufacturer’s maximum
temperature limit.
9 Bakeout for 30 minutes or until the detector baseline is free of contamination peaks.

Maintaining Your GC 141


8 Maintaining the MMI
To Bakeout Contaminants from the MMI

142 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet 144

Exploded Parts View of the PTV Inlet 146

To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet 147

To Clean the Septumless Head on the PTV Inlet 150

To Replace the Septumless Head PTFE Ferrule on the PTV Inlet 152

To Change the Septum on the PTV Inlet 154

To Clean the Septum Seat in the Septum Head Assembly of the PTV Inlet 155

To Change the Liner on the PTV Inlet 156

To Replace the Inlet Adapter for the PTV Inlet 158

To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the PTV Inlet 160

To Bakeout Contaminants from the PTV Inlet 162

Maintaining Your GC 143


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet

Consumables and Parts for the Programmable


Temperature Vaporization Inlet
See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 24 PTV liners and ferrules

Description Part number

Single baffle, 2-mm id, 180-µL, deactivated, glass wool 5183-2038

Single baffle, 2-mm id, 200-µL, deactivated 5183-2036

Multi-baffle, 1.5-mm id, 150-µL, deactivated 5183-2037

Fritted glass, 1.5-mm id, 150-µL, deactivated 5183-2041

Graphpak 3D ferrules for liner 5182-9749 (5/pk)

Installation tool for 3D ferrules G2617-80540

Table 25 Other consumables and parts for the PTV inlet

Description Part number

Syringe, 5-µL, 23-gauge fixed-needle 9301-0892

Syringe, 10-µL, 23-gauge fixed-needle 9301-0713

Syringe, 50-µL, 23-gauge fixed-needle, for large volume injections 5183-0318

Syringe, 100-µL, 23-gauge fixed-needle, for large volume injections 5183-2058

Split vent trap PM kit, single cartridge 5188-6495

Septumless head

Septumless head G2617-60507

PTFE ferrules (needle seal) 5182-9748 (10/pk)

Septumless head rebuild kit (includes Viton seal, Kalrez seal, and pressure spring) 5182-9747

Carrier gas tube for septumless head G2617-80550

Ferrule, 1/16-inch PTFE, for septumless head carrier gas tube 0100-1375

Septum head

Merlin Microseal septum (high-pressure) 5182-3444

11-mm septa, red 5181-1263 (50/pk)

Column adapter parts

Silver seal 5182-9763 (5/pk)

Graphpak 2M inlet adapter, 0.20-mm id* 5182-9754

Graphpak 2M inlet adapter, 0.25- to 0.33-mm id* 5182-9761

144 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet

Table 25 Other consumables and parts for the PTV inlet (continued)

Description Part number

Graphpak 2M inlet adapter, 0.53-mm id* 5182-9762

Ferrules for Graphpak 2M inlet, 0.20-mm id 5182-9756 (10/pk)

Ferrules for Graphpak 2M inlet, 0.25-mm id 5182-9768 (10/pk)

Ferrules for Graphpak 2M inlet, 0.32-mm id 5182-9769 (10/pk)

Ferrules for Graphpak 2M inlet, 0.53-mm id 5182-9770 (10/pk)

Split nut for Graphpak adapter 5062-3525

* Includes (1) adapter, (1) silver seal, and (1) split column nut.

Maintaining Your GC 145


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
Exploded Parts View of the PTV Inlet

Exploded Parts View of the PTV Inlet

Guide cap
Merlin cap Septum nut
PTFE ferrule
Merlin Microseal
Septum
Septumless head Kalrez seal
assembly
Valve body
Pressure spring
Septum head
Viton seal
Carrier gas
tube Sealing element
Ferrule
Graphpak 3D ferrule

Liner

PTV inlet assembly

Silver seal

Graphpak inlet adapter

Ferrule for Graphpak adapter

Column nut

Figure 32. Programmable temperature vaporization inlet exploded parts

146 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet

To Install a Capillary Column with the


Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet
1 Gather the following, see “Consumables and Parts for the Programmable Temperature
Vaporization Inlet” on page 144:
• Column
• Graphpak 2M ferrule
• Column nut
• Column cutter
• Septum
• Isopropanol
• Lab tissue
• Metric ruler
• 5-mm and 6-mm wrenches
• Typewriter correction fluid or a marker
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Before installing the column, install the correct column adapter. See “To Replace the Inlet
Adapter for the PTV Inlet” on page 158.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

4 Place the column on the hanger with the ends pointing up and the label to the front.
5 Place a Graphpak 2M ferrule onto the column, with the graphite facing up towards the inlet.
6 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

Maintaining Your GC 147


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet

7 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain that there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good

8 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
9 Position the column so it extends 17 mm above the end of the ferrule. Mark the column
behind the ferrule with typewriter correction fluid or a marker. Slide the nut over the
column.

17 mm

Mark column here

10 Insert the column into the adapter and finger-tighten the column nut. Looking through the
slot in the nut, adjust the column until the mark is correctly positioned below the Graphpak
2M ferrule.
11 Tighten the column nut an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn with a wrench. Do not overtighten.
12 Plug in the new column’s Smart ID key. See Figure 33.

148 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet

Smart ID key

Figure 33. Insert Smart ID key

13 Configure the new column.


14 Condition the column per the manufacturer’s recommendation. See To Condition a
Capillary Column.
15 Install the column into the detector.
• To Install a Capillary Column in the FID
• To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD
• To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+
16 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
17 After the column is installed at both inlet and detector, establish a flow of carrier gas and
purge as recommended by the column manufacturer.
18 Restore the analytical method.
• For FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead.
19 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes then ignite the detector flame or adjust
offset on the NPD bead.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

20 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then retighten
the fittings.
21 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

Maintaining Your GC 149


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Clean the Septumless Head on the PTV Inlet

To Clean the Septumless Head on the PTV Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Syringe with 23-gauge needle, see “Consumables and Parts for the Programmable
Temperature Vaporization Inlet” on page 144.
• Septumless head rebuild kit
• Hexane
• Clean, lint-free gloves
• 5/16-inch wrench
• Lint-free gloves
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.
3 Disconnect the carrier gas line.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

4 Unscrew and remove the septumless head assembly from the inlet.

5 Unscrew the sealing element from the head assembly and carefully remove the Viton seal
and the pressure spring

150 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Clean the Septumless Head on the PTV Inlet

Guide cap

PTFE ferrule

Ferrule, 1/16-inch
PTFE Kalrez seal

Valve body
Carrier gas tube Pressure spring

Viton seal

Sealing element

6 Unscrew the guide cap from the head and remove the PTFE ferrule.
7 Carefully insert a syringe with a 23-gauge needle into the head to press the valve body and
Kalrez seal slightly out of the head.
8 Gently tap the head on a soft, smooth surface so that the valve body falls out completely or
slips out far enough to grasp with fingers.
9 Remove the Kalrez seal from the valve body.
10 Clean all components in hexane.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

11 Replace the PTFE ferrule. See “To Replace the Septumless Head PTFE Ferrule on the PTV
Inlet” on page 152.
12 Wearing clean lint-free gloves, reassemble the head in reverse order. Be sure that the seals
and the pressure spring are not damaged.
13 Finger-tighten the septumless head, then tighten an additional 1/8 turn with a wrench.
14 Reconnect the carrier gas line.
15 Check for leaks; if necessary, slightly tighten the guide cap with the syringe needle inserted.
• If the head leaks with the syringe inserted, replace the PTFE ferrule.
• If the head leaks without the syringe inserted, replace the Kalrez and Viton seals.
16 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
17 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
18 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 151


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Replace the Septumless Head PTFE Ferrule on the PTV Inlet

To Replace the Septumless Head PTFE Ferrule on


the PTV Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Syringe with 23-gauge needle, see “Consumables and Parts for the Programmable
Temperature Vaporization Inlet” on page 144.
• Replacement PTFE ferrule
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Unscrew the guide cap from the septumless head and remove the PTFE ferrule.
4 Push the guide cap and replacement ferrule over the syringe needle so that at least 10 mm
of the needle tip is exposed.

5 Guide the end of the needle into the septumless head until the ferrule meets the
septumless head.
6 Loosely install the guide cap.
7 If not configured, configure the column.
8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
9 Put the inlet into Splitless mode.
10 Set the column flow to 5 mL/min and the purge flow to 60 mL/min.
11 After the inlet pressurizes, press once.

152 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Replace the Septumless Head PTFE Ferrule on the PTV Inlet

12 Observe the inlet Total Flow. Tighten the guide cap until the Total Flow stops decreasing
(typically near 8 mL/min).
13 Remove the syringe from the inlet and press .
14 Restore the analytical method.
15 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

Maintaining Your GC 153


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Change the Septum on the PTV Inlet

To Change the Septum on the PTV Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Programmable
Temperature Vaporization Inlet” on page 144.
• 5/8-inch wrench
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Septum > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the septum (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap. If the septum head begins to turn during
removal, support it manually while removing the cap.
4 Use tweezers to remove the septum or Merlin Microseal from the retainer nut. Do not
gouge or scratch the interior of the septum head.
5 Firmly press the new septum or Merlin Microseal into the fitting. The metal parts side of
the Merlin Microseal should face down (toward the oven).

Merlin Microseal and cap Standard septum

6 Replace the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap and finger-tighten. Tighten the septum
retainer nut until the C-ring is about 1 mm above the nut.

Overtightening the septum nut can cause contamination.


C AU T I O N

1 mm

7 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
8 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
9 Restore the analytical method.

154 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Septum Head Assembly of the PTV Inlet

To Clean the Septum Seat in the Septum Head


Assembly of the PTV Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• Replacement septum, see “Consumables and Parts for the Programmable
Temperature Vaporization Inlet” on page 144.
• 5/8-inch wrench
• Tweezers
• Compressed, filtered, dry air or nitrogen
• Lint-free gloves
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Remove the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap. If the septum head begins to turn during
removal, support it manually while removing the cap.
4 Unscrew the septum head assembly from the inlet and move it up and away from the inlet.
5 Use tweezers to remove the septum or Merlin Microseal from the retainer nut. Do not
gouge or scratch the interior of the septum head.
6 Scrub the residue from the retainer nut and septum holder with a small piece of rolled-up
steel wool and tweezers. Do not do this over the inlet.
7 Use compressed air or nitrogen to blow away the pieces of steel wool and septum.
8 Replace the septum head assembly on the inlet. Finger-tighten the septum head and then
tighten an additional 1/2 turn with a wrench.
9 Firmly press the new septum or Merlin Microseal into the fitting. See “To Change the
Septum on the PTV Inlet” on page 154.
10 Replace the septum retainer nut or Merlin cap and finger-tighten. See “To Change the
Septum on the PTV Inlet” on page 154.
11 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
12 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
13 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 155


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Change the Liner on the PTV Inlet

To Change the Liner on the PTV Inlet


1 Gather the following:
• Installation tool for 3D ferrules, see “Consumables and Parts for the Programmable
Temperature Vaporization Inlet” on page 144.
• Assembly tool (part number G2617-80540)
• Replacement liner
• Graphpak 3D ferrule
• 5/16-inch wrench
• Lint-free gloves
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Liner and O-Ring > Start Maintenance. The wizard will
walk through the steps needed to replace the liner (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Remove the head from the inlet:


• For septumless head, disconnect the carrier gas line and unscrew and remove the
septumless head assembly from the inlet.
• For septum head, loosen the septum head assembly from the inlet. Lift the head to clear
the inlet and push to either side. Do not bend the 1/16-inch lines too much.
4 Grasp the liner by the Graphpak 3D ferrule. Remove the liner from the inlet.

5 Unscrew the assembly tool into two pieces: the ferrule guide and the compression fitting.

156 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Change the Liner on the PTV Inlet

Ferrule guide

Graphpak 3D ferrule

Compression fitting

Open baffle liner

6 Slide the compression fitting onto the longer, straight end of the new liner with the threads
pointing toward the end of the liner.
7 Place a Graphpak 3D ferrule on the same end of the liner with the recessed graphite end
towards the compression fitting. Slide the ferrule so that about 2 mm of the liner is
exposed beyond the ferrule.
8 Slide the compression fitting up to meet the ferrule. Finger-tighten the ferrule guide onto
the compression fitting.
9 Unscrew and remove the ferrule guide.
10 Slide the compression fitting off the other end of the liner. The ferrule should now be set
with 1 mm of the liner exposed. Check that the graphite within the ferrule is flush with the
top of the metal collar.
11 Insert the glass liner into the inlet from above until the unpacked side of the ferrule rests on
the top of the inlet.
12 Replace the head:
• For septumless head, screw the head onto the inlet and tighten 1/8 turn past finger-tight
with a wrench. Reconnect the carrier gas line.
• For septum head, align the head with the inlet and manually engage the free-spinning
nut to the inlet. Tighten 1/2 turn past finger-tight with a wrench.
13 Check all connections for leaks. If necessary, tighten them again by hand.
14 Configure the new liner.
15 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
16 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
17 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 157


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Replace the Inlet Adapter for the PTV Inlet

To Replace the Inlet Adapter for the PTV Inlet


1 Select from the following list an adapter with the smallest hole diameter that will accept
the column. The adapter number is stamped on the side of the adapter. Also see
“Consumables and Parts for the Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet” on
page 144.

Table 26 PTV inlet adapters

Column id Inlet adapter number* Part number

0.20 mm 31 5182-9754

0.25 to 0.33 mm 45 5182-9761

0.53 mm 70 5182-9762

* Includes (1) adapter, (1) silver seal, and (1) split column nut.

2 Gather the following:


• Replacement adapter
• Replacement silver seal
• 6-mm wrench
• 5-mm wrench
• Lint-free gloves
3 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

4 Unscrew the column nut from the adapter. Remove the nut and the column from the inlet.

158 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Replace the Inlet Adapter for the PTV Inlet

Silver seal

Graphpak inlet adapter

Column nut

Ferrule for Graphpak adapter

5 Remove the inlet adapter and discard the old silver seal.
6 Insert a new silver seal into the adapter and finger-tighten the adapter onto the inlet.
Tighten an additional 1/16 to 1/8 turn with a wrench; overtightening will damage the inlet.
7 Install the column. See “To Install a Capillary Column with the Programmable
Temperature Vaporization Inlet” on page 147.
8 Check the adapter for leaks.
9 Reset the silver seal EMF counter.
10 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
11 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
12 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 159


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the PTV Inlet

To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the


PTV Inlet
1 Gather the following:
• New split vent filter cartridge, see “Consumables and Parts for the Programmable
Temperature Vaporization Inlet” on page 144.
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the PTV inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Split Vent Trap > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the filter (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

The split vent trap may contain residual amounts of any samples or other chemicals you
WAR N IN G have injected into the GC. Follow your company’s safety procedures for handling these types
of substances while replacing the trap filter cartridge.

3 Remove the “To Remove the Pneumatics Cover” on page 19 (top, back of GC).
4 Completely loosen the knurled nut that secures the split vent trap in place as shown in
Figure 34.

Knurled nut loosened


Knurled nut secured

Figure 34. Loosen knurled nut

5 Slide the trap assembly back from the guided mounting bracket and tilt up to expose the
filter as shown in Figure 35.

160 Maintaining Your GC


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the PTV Inlet

Filter and O-ring

Knurled nut

Figure 35. Slide trap assembly to expose the filter

6 Remove the old filter cartridge and two O-rings.


7 Verify the new O-rings are seated properly on the new filter cartridge.
8 Install the new filter cartridge then reassemble the trap using your fingers to fully tighten
the knurled nut. The nut should thread easily.
If the knurled nut does not thread easily, loosen, reassemble the 2 parts of the trap, and
thread again. Do not force it.
9 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
10 Install the pneumatics cover.
11 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.

Maintaining Your GC 161


9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
To Bakeout Contaminants from the PTV Inlet

To Bakeout Contaminants from the PTV Inlet


1 Put the inlet into split mode.
2 Set the column flow to the normal operating value, or set the capillary column gas velocity
to 30 cm/s.
3 Set the inlet split vent flow to 200 mL/min.
4 Purge the column with carrier flow for at least 10 minutes before heating the oven.
5 If the column is attached to the detector, set the detector 25 °C above normal operating
temperature.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

6 If the column is not attached to the detector, cap the detector fitting.
7 Set the inlet temperature to 300 °C or 25 °C above the normal operating temperature to
bakeout contaminants from the inlet, mostly through the split vent.
8 Set the column oven 25 °C above the GC method final oven temperature to bake
contaminants from the column. Do not exceed the column manufacturer’s maximum
temperature limit.
9 Bakeout for 30 minutes or until the detector baseline is free of contamination peaks.

162 Maintaining Your GC


10 Maintaining the VI
Consumables and Parts for the Volatiles Interface 164

Exploded Parts View of the VI 166

To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface 167

To Remove the VI Interface 171

To Clean the VI 173

To Install the VI Interface 174

To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the VI 175

To Bakeout Contaminants from the VI Inlet 177

Maintaining Your GC 163


10 Maintaining the VI
Consumables and Parts for the Volatiles Interface

Consumables and Parts for the Volatiles Interface


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 27 Parts for the VI

Description Part number

Clamping plate G2319-20540

Volatiles interface G2319-60505

Long column nut (65 mm) G3504-20504

Nut, for transfer, pressure sensing, or split vent line 19258-20830

Ferrule, for transfer, pressure sensing, or split vent line 19258-20870

Split vent trap PM kit, single cartridge 5188-6495

Table 28 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292


.100- to .320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292


.100- to .320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

164 Maintaining Your GC


10 Maintaining the VI
Consumables and Parts for the Volatiles Interface

Table 28 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns (continued)

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

Maintaining Your GC 165


10 Maintaining the VI
Exploded Parts View of the VI

Exploded Parts View of the VI

Nut

Ferrule

Clamping plate

Volatiles interface

Ferrule, column

Column nut, long

Figure 36. Volatiles interface exploded parts

166 Maintaining Your GC


10 Maintaining the VI
To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface

To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles


Interface
1 Gather the following:
• Long (65 mm) column nut
• Column
• Ferrule
• Column cutter
• Isopropanol
• Septum
• Two 1/4-inch wrenches
• Lab tissue
• Metric ruler
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Place the column on the hanger with the ends pointing up and the label to the front.
4 Place a septum, long capillary column nut, and ferrule on the column.
Use a long column nut. See “Consumables and Parts for the Volatiles Interface” on
page 164.
If you are using a standard column nut, you must remove the interface. For this reason it
is recommended that you use the long column nut. See “To Remove the VI Interface” on
page 171.

Maintaining Your GC 167


10 Maintaining the VI
To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface

Ferrule

Column nut

Septum

5 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

6 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain that there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good
7 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
8 Position the column so it extends 6 mm above the end of the ferrule. Slide the septum up
the column to hold the column nut at this fixed position.

6 mm

168 Maintaining Your GC


10 Maintaining the VI
To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface

9 Insert the column into the interface and finger-tighten the column nut.
10 Adjust the column (not the septum) position until the septum is snug against the bottom of
the nut.

11 Tighten the column nut an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn with a wrench so that the column
cannot be pulled from the fitting with gentle pressure.
12 Plug in the new column’s Smart ID key. See Figure 37.

Smart ID key

Figure 37. Insert Smart ID key

13 Configure the new column.


14 With the sample transfer line attached and the column attached to the inlet and detector,
establish a flow of carrier gas through the transfer line. Purge as recommended by the
column manufacturer.
15 Condition the column per the manufacturer’s recommendation. See To Condition a
Capillary Column.
16 Install the column into the detector.
• To Install a Capillary Column in the FID
• To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD
• To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD
• To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+
17 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
18 After the column is installed at both inlet and detector, establish a flow of carrier gas and
purge as recommended by the column manufacturer.
19 Restore the analytical method.
• For FPD+, immediately turn off the flame.
• For NPD, immediately turn off the bead.

Maintaining Your GC 169


10 Maintaining the VI
To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface

20 After the GC becomes ready, wait 10 minutes then ignite the detector flame or adjust
offset on the NPD bead.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

21 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then retighten
the fittings.
22 Reset the EMF counter.
23 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

170 Maintaining Your GC


10 Maintaining the VI
To Remove the VI Interface

To Remove the VI Interface


1 Gather the following:
• 1/4-inch and 7-mm wrench
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The interface may be hot enough to cause burns. If the interface is hot, wear
WAR N IN G gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the column.


4 Remove the transfer line by loosening the nut, then lift it from the interface.
5 Loosen the five inlet cover screws and remove the inlet cover.
6 Remove the clamping plate from the interface by loosening the captive screw.

7 Lift the interface out of the heater block.

Maintaining Your GC 171


10 Maintaining the VI
To Remove the VI Interface

8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

172 Maintaining Your GC


10 Maintaining the VI
To Clean the VI

To Clean the VI
1 Gather the following:
• 1/4-inch and 7-mm wrench
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
• Lint-free gloves
2 Manually set the inlet and oven temperature to < 40 °C, and wait for the inlet, oven, and
other parts you might come into contact with inside the oven, to cool before continuing.
Alternately, place the GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform
Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance.
3 Remove the interface. See “To Remove the VI Interface” on page 171.

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

The split vent trap and line may contain residual amounts of any samples or other chemicals
WAR N IN G you have injected into the GC. Follow your company’s safety procedures for handling these
types of substances.

4 Remove the split vent and pressure sensing lines by loosening the nuts.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

5 Clean the interface using an ultrasonic bath. Sonicate twice, then rinse and air dry.
6 Inspect the split vent line. If clogged, contact Agilent for service.
7 Install the interface. See “To Install the VI Interface” on page 174.
8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

Maintaining Your GC 173


10 Maintaining the VI
To Install the VI Interface

To Install the VI Interface


1 Gather the following:
• 1/4-inch and 7-mm wrench
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
2 Attach the split vent line and pressure sensing lines and finger-tighten the nuts. Tighten an
additional
1/4 turn with a wrench.
3 Place the interface into the heater block and reseat the tubing as needed.
4 Install the clamping plate and tighten the screw.

5 Install the inlet cover. Be sure the cover does not damage any tubing.
6 Attach the sample transfer line.
7 Install the column. See “To Install a Capillary Column with the Volatiles Interface” on
page 167.

174 Maintaining Your GC


10 Maintaining the VI
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the VI

To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the VI


1 Gather the following:
• New split vent filter cartridge, see “Consumables and Parts for the Volatiles
Interface” on page 164.
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Inlets, select the inlet, then select
Perform Maintenance > Replace Split Vent Trap > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the filter (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or inlet may be hot enough to cause burns. If either is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

The split vent trap may contain residual amounts of any samples or other chemicals you
WAR N IN G have injected into the GC. Follow your company’s safety procedures for handling these types
of substances while replacing the trap filter cartridge.

3 Remove the pneumatics cover (top, back of GC). See “To Remove the Pneumatics
Cover” on page 19.
4 Completely loosen the knurled nut that secures the split vent trap in place as shown in
Figure 38.

Knurled nut secured Knurled nut loosened

Figure 38. Loosen knurled nut

5 Slide the trap assembly back from the guided mounting bracket and tilt up to expose the
filter as shown in. Figure 39.

Maintaining Your GC 175


10 Maintaining the VI
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the VI

Filter and O-ring

Knurled nut

Figure 39. Slide trap assembly to expose the filter

6 Remove the old filter cartridge and two O-rings.


7 Verify the new O-rings are seated properly on the new filter cartridge.
8 Install the new filter cartridge then reassemble the trap using your fingers to fully tighten
the knurled nut. The nut should thread easily.
If the knurled nut does not thread easily, loosen, reassemble the 2 parts of the trap, and
thread again. Do not force it.
9 The GC maintenance wizard will perform checks at the appropriate times, including Leak &
Restriction tests, and will automatically reset the maintenance counters.
10 Install the pneumatics cover.
11 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.

176 Maintaining Your GC


10 Maintaining the VI
To Bakeout Contaminants from the VI Inlet

To Bakeout Contaminants from the VI Inlet


1 Put the inlet into split mode.
2 Set the column flow to the normal operating value, or set the capillary column gas velocity
to 30 cm/s.
3 Set the inlet split vent flow to 200 mL/min.
4 Purge the column with carrier flow for at least 10 minutes before heating the oven.
5 If the column is attached to the detector, set the detector 25 °C above normal operating
temperature.
If the column is not attached to the detector, cap the detector fitting.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If they are hot,
WAR N IN G wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

6 Set the inlet and oven temperature to 300 °C or 25 °C above the normal operating
temperature to bakeout contaminants from the inlet, mostly through the split vent.
7 Set the column oven 25 °C above the GC method final oven temperature to bake
contaminants from the column. Do not exceed the column manufacturer’s maximum
temperature limit.
8 Bakeout for 30 minutes or until the detector baseline is free of contamination peaks.

Maintaining Your GC 177


10 Maintaining the VI
To Bakeout Contaminants from the VI Inlet

178 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
Consumables and Parts for the FID 180

Exploded Parts Views of the Flame Ionization Detector 182

To Install a Capillary Column in the FID 184

To Replace an FID Jet 187

To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly 190

To Check the FID Leakage Current 197

To Check the FID Baseline 198

To Install the Optional FID PTFE Chimney Insert 199

To Bakeout the FID 200

Maintaining Your GC 179


11 Maintaining the FID
Consumables and Parts for the FID

Consumables and Parts for the FID


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 29 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

180 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
Consumables and Parts for the FID

Table 30 FID parts and subassemblies

Description Part number/quantity

Screw, M4 × 25 mm, Torx, T20 0515-2712 (3/pk)

PTFE chimney (optional) 19231-21050

Collector assembly G4591-60691

1/8-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81340

1/4-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81330

Jet, FID, 0.011-inch id G4591-20320

Table 31 FID collector assembly parts

Description Part number/quantity

Screw, M4 × 25 mm, Torx, T20 0515-2712 (3/pk)

Collector assembly G4591-60691

Collector nut 19231-20940

Spring washer 3050-1246

Ignitor castle 19231-20910

Ignitor castle, Hastelloy 19231-21060

Upper/lower collector insulator G1531-20700

Collector body G1531-20690

Collector body, Hastelloy G1531-21090

Spanner nut, base 19231-20990

Collector mount G4591-20690

Collector housing 19231-21010

Gasket 5180-4165 (12/pk)

Ignitor (glow plug) assembly with O-ring 19231-60680

Maintaining Your GC 181


11 Maintaining the FID
Exploded Parts Views of the Flame Ionization Detector

Exploded Parts Views of the Flame Ionization


Detector

PTFE chimney

25-mm screws

Collector assembly

Gasket

Jet

Spring, FID interconnect

Mounting pallet

Ferrule

Column adapter

Ferrule

Column nut

Figure 40. Flame ionization detector (FID) assembly exploded parts

182 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
Exploded Parts Views of the Flame Ionization Detector

25-mm screws

Collector assembly

Gasket

Jet

Figure 41. FID exploded parts view

Collector nut

Spring washer
25-mm
screws Ignitor castle Ignitor (glow plug)
assembly with
Collector Upper collector O-ring
assembly insulator
Collector body

Spanner nut
Ignitor cable
(collector)
assembly
Collector mount

Lower collector
insulator

Collector
housing
Gasket

Figure 42. FID collector assembly exploded parts view

Maintaining Your GC 183


11 Maintaining the FID
To Install a Capillary Column in the FID

To Install a Capillary Column in the FID


1 Gather the following materials, see “Consumables and Parts for the FID” on page 180:
• Column
• Ferrule(s)
• Column nut
• Column cutter
• 1/4-inch open-end wrench
• Septum
• Isopropanol
• Lab tissue
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Place a septum (if the column id is ≤0.1 mm), capillary column nut, and ferrule on the
column.

Ferrule

Column nut

Septum

4 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

184 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
To Install a Capillary Column in the FID

5 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good

6 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
7 Install the capillary column.
If the column id is greater than 0.1 mm:
a Gently insert the column into the detector until it bottoms; do not attempt to force it
further.
b Finger-tighten the column nut, then withdraw the column about 2 mm. Tighten the nut
an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench.

Maintaining Your GC 185


11 Maintaining the FID
To Install a Capillary Column in the FID

If the column id is 0.1 mm or less position the column so it extends above the ferrule by
48 mm. Slide the septum up to hold the column nut and ferrule at this fixed position.

48 mm

c Insert the column into the detector. Slide the nut and ferrule up the column to the
detector base. Finger-tighten the column nut until it grips the column.
d Adjust the column (not the septum) position so that the septum is even with the
bottom of the column nut. Tighten the nut an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench.

8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

186 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
To Replace an FID Jet

To Replace an FID Jet


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement jet
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
• 1/4-inch nut driver
• Tweezers
• Compressed, filtered, dry air or nitrogen
• Solvent that will clean the type of deposits in your detector
• Clean cloth
• Cotton swab
• Lint-free gloves
2 Launch the GC maintenance wizard: Maintenance > Detectors, select the detector, then
select Perform Maintenance > Replace FID Jet > Start Maintenance. The wizard will walk
through the steps needed to replace the jet (those same steps are repeated below).

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 If installed, remove the capillary column from the detector.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

4 Remove the FID castle assembly and place it on a clean cloth.


5 Locate the jet inside the housing.

Maintaining Your GC 187


11 Maintaining the FID
To Replace an FID Jet

Handle the clean or new jet only with tweezers, or wear gloves.
C AU T I O N

6 Loosen the jet, then lift it out of the housing with tweezers.

Interconnector
spring

7 Clean the detector base cavity using solvent, a swab, and compressed air or nitrogen.
8 Use tweezers to lower the new jet into the housing.

Do not overtighten the jet! Overtightening may permanently deform and damage the jet, the
C AU T I O N detector base, or both. The torque specification is 10 inch-pounds.

9 Carefully screw the jet into the housing. Tighten 1/6-turn past finger-tight (1/6-turn is one
“flat” on a typical screwdriver handle, or the jet head).

188 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
To Replace an FID Jet

10 Install the castle assembly.


11 Select Finished, then select OK to exit the GC maintenance wizard.
12 Reset the EMF counter.
13 Attach the capillary column to the detector.
a Install the column in the detector. See “To Install a Capillary Column in the FID” on
page 184.
b After the column is installed at both inlet and detector, establish a flow of carrier gas
and purge as recommended by the column manufacturer.
c Check the FID leakage current. See “To Check the FID Leakage Current” on page 197.
d Bakeout the detector. See “To Bakeout the FID” on page 200.
e Restore the analytical method.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

f Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then
retighten the fittings.
14 Check the FID baseline. See “To Check the FID Baseline” on page 198.

Maintaining Your GC 189


11 Maintaining the FID
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly

To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector


Assembly
Perform only the steps and gather only the parts that apply to the desired maintenance
NOTE task(s).

1 Gather the following:


• Replacement ignitor assembly, see “Consumables and Parts for the FID” on page 180.
• Replacement ignitor castle
• Two collector insulators
• Collector
• Spring washer
• Gasket
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
• 1/4-inch nut driver
• Tweezers
• 5/16-inch wrench
• Lint-free gloves
• Clean cloth

To avoid contaminating the FID, wear clean, lint-free gloves when handling the collector
C AU T I O N assembly.

2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the FID ignitor. If you are not replacing the ignitor, skip to step 5.
a Disconnect the ignitor cable assembly.

b Loosen the ignitor with a wrench.

190 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly

c Turn the nut counterclockwise by hand. Remove the ignitor and copper washer.
4 If replacing only the FID ignitor assembly with copper washer, skip to step 16 for assembly.
5 Remove the three screws that secure the collector assembly to the FID mounting pallet.

This step exposes the interconnect spring. Be careful not to touch or disfigure the spring
C AU T I O N while working on the FID. Any dirt or bending will reduce the sensitivity of your detector.

6 Remove the collector assembly. Place it on a clean cloth for additional disassembly.

Maintaining Your GC 191


11 Maintaining the FID
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly

7 Remove the gasket from the bottom of the assembly, if necessary.


8 Remove the FID ignitor castle.
a Loosen the collector nut.
b Remove the collector nut and the spring washer.

c Lift the castle out of the collector housing. When removing the castle, some of the
collector parts may be attached. Set these on a clean cloth to protect from scratches
or dirt.

9 If only replacing the FID castle, skip to step 15 for reassembly.


10 Remove the collector and insulators.
a If needed, remove the collector and upper insulator from the FID housing. The lower
insulator may come out with the collector, but often remains in the FID housing. Place
the parts on a clean cloth.

192 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly

b Remove the lower insulator with tweezers and place the parts on a clean cloth.

11 Remove the collector housing from the mount, if necessary.


12 Use tweezers to remove the gasket from the bottom of the housing.
The collector assembly is now completely disassembled. Reassemble as follows:
13 Use tweezers to install a new gasket onto the housing, being sure that it lays flat on the
brass surface.

Maintaining Your GC 193


11 Maintaining the FID
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly

14 Install the collector insulators.


a Insert one of the insulators into the base of the housing. Seat the insulator with the flat
surface facing out of the housing.

b Insert the long end of collector into the housing and lower insulator.

c Insert the other insulator onto the top of the collector, with the flat surface facing
towards the housing.

15 Install the FID ignitor castle.


a Orient the castle so that the threaded hole for the ignitor faces toward the electronics.

194 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly

b Insert the FID castle into the collector housing.


c Install the spring washer over the castle.

d Install the collector nut over the castle and tighten firmly. The seal should be airtight.
Maintain the orientation of the ignitor hole with the base as shown below.

16 Install the FID ignitor.


a Insert the ignitor and copper seal into the threaded hole of the castle. Keep the mating
threads clean.

b Tighten the ignitor with a wrench. Ignition requires a good electrical contact that is
free of any dirt.

Maintaining Your GC 195


11 Maintaining the FID
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly

17 Lower the collector assembly into the housing.


18 Insert the three screws and tighten (to 18-inch-pounds).

19 Connect the ignitor extension cable.


20 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
21 Verify assembly:
a Check the FID leakage current. See “To Check the FID Leakage Current” on page 197.
b Bakeout the detector. See “To Bakeout the FID” on page 200.
c Check the FID baseline. See “To Check the FID Baseline” on page 198.
22 Reset the EMF counters.

196 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
To Check the FID Leakage Current

To Check the FID Leakage Current


1 Load the analytical method.
• Make sure flows are acceptable for ignition.
• Heat the detector to operating temperature or 300 °C.
2 Perform a Leakage Current Test from the touchscreen: Diagnostics > Diagnostics Tests >
Detectors, select FID# Leakage Current Tests. Read the Test Details screen then press
Start Test.
3 Turn off the FID flame.
4 Show the detector output signal in Status. On the GC touchscreen go to Home > Status
listing > +Add. Select Detector’s Output from the drop-down list, then touch Add.
5 Verify that the output is stable and < 1.0 pA.
If the output is unstable or > 1.0 pA, turn off the GC and check for proper assembly of the
upper FID parts and contamination. If this contamination is confined to the detector,
bakeout the FID. See “To Bakeout the FID” on page 200.
6 Turn on the flame.

Maintaining Your GC 197


11 Maintaining the FID
To Check the FID Baseline

To Check the FID Baseline


1 With the column installed, load your checkout method.
2 Set the oven temperature to 35 °C.
3 Show the detector output signal in Status. On the GC touchscreen go to Home > Status
listing > +Add. Select Detector’s Output from the drop-down list, then touch Add.
4 When the flame is lit and the GC is ready, verify that the output is stable and < 20 pA.
If the output is not stable or > 20 pA, the system or gas may be contaminated. If this
contamination is isolated to the detector, then bakeout the FID. See “To Bakeout the
FID” on page 200.

198 Maintaining Your GC


11 Maintaining the FID
To Install the Optional FID PTFE Chimney Insert

To Install the Optional FID PTFE Chimney Insert


Be careful! The detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

1 Light the FID flame.


2 Insert the PTFE chimney into the FID castle.

When installed, the PTFE chimney insert prevents ignition.


NOTE

Maintaining Your GC 199


11 Maintaining the FID
To Bakeout the FID

To Bakeout the FID


1 Bakeout the FID with the column installed or uninstalled. If uninstalled, gather the following,
see “Consumables and Parts for the FID” on page 180:
• Capillary adapter (adaptable FID only)
• Column nut
• No-hole ferrule

Be careful! The detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

2 If the column is uninstalled:


a Cool the GC oven and detector
b Plug the detector connection with the capillary adapter, column nut, and no-hole
ferrule

If using hydrogen as a carrier gas, turn off the hydrogen supply and cap the end of the column
WAR N IN G to prevent an oven explosion.

3 Maintain inert carrier gas flow through the column, or remove the column from the GC.
4 Set the detector temperature at 350 to 375 °C.
5 Set normal operating flows.
6 Light the FID flame.
7 Set the oven temperature to 250 °C or 25 °C above the normal maximum operating
temperature. Do not exceed the column’s temperature limit.
8 Hold at temperature for 30 minutes or until the baseline settles at a lower value. The
baseline will typically rise, then fall to a final value lower than the initial baseline.

9 Restore the analytical method and allow the FID to equilibrate.


10 Check the FID output value. It should be lower than the first reading. If it is not, contact your
Agilent service representative.
Without a column installed, a clean system baseline should be < 20 pA.
11 If the column is not installed in the FID, install it. See “To Install a Capillary Column in the
FID” on page 184.

200 Maintaining Your GC


12 Maintaining the TCD
Consumables and Parts for the Thermal Conductivity Detector 202

To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD 204

To Bakeout Contaminants from the TCD 207

Maintaining Your GC 201


12 Maintaining the TCD
Consumables and Parts for the Thermal Conductivity Detector

Consumables and Parts for the Thermal


Conductivity Detector
See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Standard TCD column hardware


Table 32 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

202 Maintaining Your GC


12 Maintaining the TCD
Standard TCD column hardware

Table 33 Packed column adapters

Description Part number/quantity

1/8-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81340

1/4-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81330

Maintaining Your GC 203


12 Maintaining the TCD
To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD

To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD


1 Gather the following materials, see “Consumables and Parts for the Thermal Conductivity
Detector” on page 202:
• Column
• Ferrule(s)
• Column nut
• Column cutter
• 1/4-inch open-end wrench
• Septum
• Isopropanol
• Lab tissue
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Place a septum (if the column id is ≤0.1 mm), capillary column nut, and ferrule on the
column.

Ferrule

Column nut

Septum

4 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

204 Maintaining Your GC


12 Maintaining the TCD
To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD

5 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good

6 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
7 Install the capillary column.
If the column id is greater than 0.1 mm:
a Gently insert the column into the detector until it bottoms; do not attempt to force it
further.
b Finger-tighten the column nut, then withdraw the column about 2 mm. Tighten the nut
an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench.

Maintaining Your GC 205


12 Maintaining the TCD
To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD

If the column id is 0.1 mm or less position the column so it extends above the ferrule by
48 mm (capillary optimized fitting). Slide the septum up to hold the column nut and ferrule at this
fixed position.

48 mm

c Insert the column into the detector. Slide the nut and ferrule up the column to the
detector base. Finger-tighten the column nut until it grips the column.
d Adjust the column (not the septum) position so that the septum is even with the
bottom of the column nut. Tighten the nut an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench.

8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

206 Maintaining Your GC


12 Maintaining the TCD
To Bakeout Contaminants from the TCD

To Bakeout Contaminants from the TCD


The bakeout can be performed with the column installed or the detector capped.

If the column is not installed, you must turn off the TCD filament and cap the detector column
C AU T I O N fitting to prevent irreparable damage to the filament caused by oxygen entering the detector.

1 If the column is not installed, cap the detector.

Be careful! The detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

2 Turn off the TCD filament.


3 If the column is attached to the inlet, maintain inert carrier gas flow through the column.

If using hydrogen as a carrier gas, turn off the hydrogen supply and cap the end of the column
WAR N IN G to prevent an oven explosion.

4 Set the reference gas flow rate between 20 and 30 mL/min.


5 Set the detector temperature to 375 °C.
6 Hold at 375 °C for several hours.
7 If the column is uninstalled, install it. See “To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD” on
page 204.
8 Load the analytical method.

Be careful! The oven or detector fittings may be hot enough to cause burns.
WAR N IN G

9 Allow the oven, inlet, and detector to equilibrate at operating temperature, then re-tighten
the fittings.

Maintaining Your GC 207


12 Maintaining the TCD
To Bakeout Contaminants from the TCD

208 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
Consumables and Parts for the NPD 210

Exploded Parts View of the Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detector 212

To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD 213

To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly 216

To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet 220

To Check the NPD Leakage Current 225

To Bakeout the NPD 226

Maintaining Your GC 209


13 Maintaining the NPD
Consumables and Parts for the NPD

Consumables and Parts for the NPD


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 34 NPD parts

Description Part number/quantity

Collector G1534-20530

Screw, M3 × 0.5 × 8 mm 0515-0655

NPD Blos bead assembly G3434-60806

Screw, M4 × 10 mm 0515-2495

J-clamp 1400-0015

NPD ceramic insulator kit 5182-9722


• Metal C-rings, top and bottom
• Ceramic insulators, upper and lower

NPD chemical sample kit solution of 0.65 ppm azobenzene, 1000 ppm octadecane, 18789-60060
1 ppm malathion in isooctane, 3 ampoules

NPD lid standoff G1534-20590

NPD raised jet weldment G4594-81000

Nut, 1/8-inch, brass, for packed column adapters 5180-4103 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 1/8-inch, for packed column adapters 0100-1332 (10/pk)

Nut, 1/4-inch, brass, for packed column adapters 5180-4105 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel, 1/4-inch, for packed column adapters 5080-8774 (10/pk)

1/8-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81340

1/4-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81330

Table 35 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

210 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
Consumables and Parts for the NPD

Table 35 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns (continued)

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

Maintaining Your GC 211


13 Maintaining the NPD
Exploded Parts View of the Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detector

Exploded Parts View of the Nitrogen-Phosphorus


Detector

NPD cover

Screws

Bead assembly

Screws

Lid

Metal C-ring, top

Ceramic insulator, upper

Collector

Metal C-ring, bottom


Ceramic insulator, lower
Metal C-ring, bottom

Jet Electrometer

Insulation cover

Column nut

Figure 43. Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detector (NPD) exploded parts

212 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD

To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD


1 Gather the following materials:
• Column
• Ferrule(s), see “Consumables and Parts for the NPD” on page 210.
• Column nut
• Column cutter
• 1/4-inch open-end wrench
• Septum
• Isopropanol
• Lab tissue
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the oven,
WAR N IN G inlet, or detector is hot, wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Place a septum (if the column id is ≤0.1 mm), capillary column nut, and ferrule on the
column.

Ferrule

Column nut

Septum

4 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

Maintaining Your GC 213


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD

5 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good

6 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
7 Install the capillary column.
If the column id is greater than 0.1 mm:
a Gently insert the column into the detector until it bottoms; do not attempt to force it
further.
b Finger-tighten the column nut, then withdraw the column about 2 mm. Tighten the nut
an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench.

214 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD

If the column id is 0.1 mm or less position the column so it extends above the ferrule by
48 mm (capillary optimized fitting). Slide the septum up to hold the column nut and ferrule at this
fixed position.

48 mm

c Insert the column into the detector. Slide the nut and ferrule up the column to the
detector base. Finger-tighten the column nut until it grips the column.
d Adjust the column (not the septum) position so that the septum is even with the
bottom of the column nut. Tighten the nut an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench.

8 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

Maintaining Your GC 215


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly

To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement NPD bead assembly, see “Consumables and Parts for the NPD” on
page 210.
• Lint-free gloves
• T-10 Torx screwdriver
2 Set GC options for a new bead.
a On the GC touchscreen, go to Settings > Configuration > Detectors to enable Dry Bead
and Auto Adjust.
b Then go to Methods > Detectors, scroll to Detectors Specifics, turn off the bead.
Agilent data system users: Make the same changes noted above, apply them to the GC,
and then save the data system method and shut down the instrument session.
3 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready to continue (all
zones cooled to safe handling temperatures).

The bead is delicate. Be careful not to break or crack the bead. When performing
C AU T I O N maintenance on the NPD, avoid touching the bead with your fingers, and prevent it from
coming in contact with other surfaces.

4 Turn off the NPD bead, and enable the Dry Bead and Auto Adjust settings.
Agilent data system users: After turning off the bead, save the data system method and
shut down the instrument session. (Note that in some data system versions, you may
need to use the GC touchscreen for these settings. To do this, the keypad must be
unlocked and you must close the GC parameters screen of the data system. Upload the
revised setting, then save the method and shut down the instrument session.)
5 Remove the GC detector top cover. See “To Remove the Detector Top Cover” on page 18.

Hazardous voltages are present when the electronics top cover is open.
WAR N IN G

6 Remove the electronics cover. See “To Remove the Electronics Cover” on page 20.
7 Put on lint-free gloves before touching any of the detector parts.

Be careful! The oven or detector fittings may be hot enough to cause burns.
WAR N IN G

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

8 Remove the screw from the NPD cover then lift up and set aside. See Figure 44.

216 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly

Figure 44. Remove NPD cover

9 Twist the ring to disconnect the bead assembly cable. Push and twist the lock so that the
button slides up in the groove, then pull the cable ends apart.

Maintaining Your GC 217


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly

10 Remove the 3 T-10 Torx screws from the bead assembly.

11 Gently lift up and remove the old bead assembly. Avoid bumping the bead on the sides of
the collector.

12 Remove the protective cap covering the new bead.


13 Mount the new bead assembly on the NPD lid. Be careful not to bump the bead on the
sides of the lid or collector.
14 Replace the screws. Finger-tighten the first screw; tighten the remaining screws normally
and then completely tighten the first screw. Do not overtighten the screws.
15 Carefully bend the bead assembly so it will mate with the bead power cable.
16 Reconnect the bead assembly cable to the NPD cable and twist the ring to lock the
connection.

218 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly

17 Close the NPD cover, install the GC detector top cover, and install the electronics top cover.
All covers must be closed to get a stable NPD baseline.
18 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
19 Restore normal NPD operating gas flows.
20 With all gases on, heat the detector to 150 °C and hold for about 15 minutes, then increase
the temperature to 250 °C and hold for 15 minutes.
21 Increase the temperature to operating value (310 to 320 °C recommended). Allow
15 minutes for equilibration.
22 Check the NPD leakage current. See “To Check the NPD Leakage Current” on page 225. If
> 2.0 pA, verify bead installation or see the Troubleshooting manual.
23 If using an Agilent data system, connect to the instrument.
24 Restore the analytical method. Confirm the detector hydrogen, air, makeup gas flow rates.
25 Start the Adjust offset process. Enter the desired offset in the Target offset field. The
default offset is 20 pA for Blos beads. An offset of 25 to 30 pA is sufficient for most
applications. The bead life may be shortened at a higher offset.
26 Reset the bead counter.

Maintaining Your GC 219


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet

To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators,


and Jet
When replacing the jet, always install a new collector, ceramic insulators, and metal C-rings.
When replacing the collector, Agilent recommends replacing the ceramic insulators and metal
C-rings.

The insulation around the inlets, detectors, valve box, and the insulation cups is made of
WAR N IN G refractory ceramic fibers. To avoid inhaling fiber particles, we recommend the following
safety procedures: ventilate your work area; wear long sleeves, gloves, safety glasses, and a
disposable dust/mist respirator; dispose of insulation in a sealed plastic bag; wash your
hands with mild soap and cold water after handling the insulation.

1 Gather the following:


• NPD ceramic insulator kit, see “Consumables and Parts for the NPD” on page 210.
• Collector
• Cap for the bead
• T-10 and T-20 Torx screwdrivers
• Tweezers
• Cotton swab
• Solvent
• Methanol
• Jet
• Lint-free gloves
• Compressed, filtered dry air or nitrogen

The bead is delicate. Be careful not to break or crack the bead. When performing
C AU T I O N maintenance on the NPD, avoid touching the bead with your fingers, and prevent it from
coming in contact with other surfaces.

2 Turn off the bead and disable Adjust Offset.


3 Check and note the NPD leakage current for reference. See “To Check the NPD Leakage
Current” on page 225.
4 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready to continue (all
zones cooled to safe handling temperatures).

Be careful! The oven or detector fittings may be hot enough to cause burns.
WAR N IN G

5 Remove the bead. See “To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly” on page 216.

220 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet

This step exposes the interconnect spring. Be careful not to touch or disfigure the spring
C AU T I O N while working on the FID. Any dirt or bending will reduce the sensitivity of your detector.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

6 Remove the screws that secure the lid, then lift up the lid and set aside. The top metal
C-ring and upper ceramic insulator may be attached to the lid.

7 Remove the screws that secure the cover base, then lift up the cover base and set aside.

Maintaining Your GC 221


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet

8 Remove the screws that secure the interconnect cover, then lift up the cover and set aside.

9 Remove the screws that secure the electrometer, then lift up and set aside.

10 Pull the electrometer away from the detector to free the interconnect. Turn the
electrometer to the right to obtain working space. Be careful not to touch or bend the
spring. Be careful not to lose the EMI suppressor.
11 Remove the large metal C-ring and the upper ceramic insulator if they were not attached to
the lid.
12 Remove the collector. If the detector is operated at high temperatures, the collector parts
may stick inside the detector. Gently push and wiggle them to break the seal.

222 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet

Metal C-ring, top

Ceramic insulator, upper

Collector

Figure 45. NPD collector, upper insulator, and metal C-ring

13 Use tweezers to remove the lower ceramic insulator and the two small metal C-rings
located above and below the collector. If these parts are stuck together, do not separate
them. If they are not stuck, remember which metal ring was on top of the insulator and
which was below it. The pieces must be reassembled in the same orientation.

Metal C-ring, bottom

Ceramic insulator, lower

Metal C-ring, bottom

Figure 46. NPD lower ceramic insulator and metal C-ring

14 If not replacing the jet, skip to step 21.


15 Remove the column from the detector.
16 Loosen the jet with a nut driver.

Maintaining Your GC 223


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet

17 Pull the jet straight out of the detector. Use tweezers, if necessary.

The adaptable NPD jet is longer than the capillary optimized NPD extended jet and should
C AU T I O N never be installed in a capillary optimized detector.

18 Place the jet in the detector body.


19 Using a nut driver, tighten the jet 1/6 turn past finger-tight. Do not overtighten.
20 Attach the column to the detector.
21 Use a cotton swab wetted with solvent to clean the residue from the inside of the collector
and around the jet. If the collector appears very dirty, replace it with a new one.
22 Install the bottom metal C-ring, the lower ceramic insulator, and the top metal C-ring. See
Figure 46.
23 Install the collector.
24 Install the upper ceramic insulator and top metal C-ring above the collector. See Figure 45.
25 Install the lid, making sure that the NPD lid standoffs are in their slots. Hold the lid flat while
each of the screws is tightened until they touch the lid. Tighten each screw evenly, 1/2 turn
at a time, until tight. Do not overtighten.
26 Slide the electrometer interconnect into the slot on the lid and lower the electrometer into
the mounting tray. Be careful not to touch or bend the spring.
27 Install the J-clamp and screws to secure the electrometer to the pallet.
28 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
29 Install the bead assembly and restore normal operating conditions. See “To Replace the
NPD Bead Assembly” on page 216. Do not reset the bead counter unless replaced.
After installing new collector parts, the NPD leakage current should be lower. See “To
Check the NPD Leakage Current” on page 225. If the leakage current is abnormal, check
for proper reassembly of the detector (especially where the electrometer interconnect
contacts the collector assembly) and for leaks.
30 Reset the EMF counters.

224 Maintaining Your GC


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Check the NPD Leakage Current

To Check the NPD Leakage Current


1 Load the analytical method.
2 Turn Off the Bead.
• Leave the NPD at operating temperature
• Leave flows on or off
3 Show the detector output signal in Status.
4 Verify that the output (leakage current) is stable and < 2.0 pA.
The output should slowly drop towards 0.0 pA, and should stabilize in the tenths of a
picoamp. Current > 2.0 pA indicates a problem.

Maintaining Your GC 225


13 Maintaining the NPD
To Bakeout the NPD

To Bakeout the NPD


If using hydrogen as a carrier gas, turn off the hydrogen supply and cap the end of the column
WAR N IN G to prevent an oven explosion.

1 Bakeout the NPD with the column installed or uninstalled. If uninstalled, gather the
following, see “Consumables and Parts for the NPD” on page 210:
• Column nut
• No-hole ferrule
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready to continue (all
zones cooled to safe handling temperatures).

Be careful! The detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Turn off the bead.


4 If the column is uninstalled, plug the detector connection with the column nut, and no-hole
ferrule.
Maintain inert carrier gas flow through the column, or remove the column from the GC.
5 Set normal operating flows.
6 Set the detector temperature at 25 °C above the typical method set-point temperature.
7 Set the oven temperature to 250 °C or 25 °C above the normal maximum operating
temperature. Do not exceed the column’s temperature limit.
8 Hold at temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.
9 If the column is not installed in the NPD, install it. See “To Install a Capillary Column in the
NPD” on page 213.
10 Restore the analytical method and allow the NPD to equilibrate at operating temperatures
and flows for 10 to 30 minutes.
11 Check the NPD leakage current. See “To Check the NPD Leakage Current” on page 225.
12 Start the NPD bead Auto Adjust process.
13 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
Allow 1 to 2 hours for a new Blos bead to equilibrate.

226 Maintaining Your GC


14 Maintaining the ECD
Important Safety Information About the ECD 228

Consumables and Parts for the ECD 230

Exploded Parts View of the Electron Capture Detector 232

To Replace the ECD Fused Silica Indented Mixing Liner and Install the Makeup Gas
Adapter 233

To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD 236

To Bakeout the ECD 238

This section describes the routine maintenance tasks for the Electron Capture Detector (ECD).
For important regulatory and safety information for this detector, refer to the general
information booklet and CD provided with the detector.

Maintaining Your GC 227


14 Maintaining the ECD
Important Safety Information About the ECD

Important Safety Information About the ECD


The ECD contains a cell plated with 63Ni, a radioactive isotope. The beta particles released at
the energy level in the detector have little penetrating power—the surface layer of the skin or a
few sheets of paper will stop most of them—but they may be hazardous if the isotope is
ingested or inhaled. For this reason, handle the cell with care. Cap the detector inlet and outlet
fittings when the detector is not in use. Never introduce corrosive chemicals into the detector.
Vent detector exhaust outside the laboratory environment.
Refer to the safety documentation provided with the detector for important details about
safety, maintenance, and compliance with local government regulation.

Materials that may react with the 63Ni source, either to form volatile products or to cause
WAR N IN G physical degradation of the plated film, must be avoided. These materials include oxidizing
compounds, acids, wet halogens, wet nitric acid, ammonium hydroxide, hydrogen sulfide,
PCBs, and carbon monoxide. This list is not exhaustive but indicates the kinds of compounds
that may cause damage to 63Ni detectors.

In the extremely unlikely event that both the oven and the detector-heated zone should go
WAR N IN G into thermal runaway (maximum, uncontrolled heating in excess of 400 °C) at the same time
and the detector remains exposed to this condition for more than 12 hours, take the following
steps:
• After turning off the main power and allowing the instrument to cool, cap the detector
inlet and exhaust vent openings. Wear disposable plastic gloves and observe normal
laboratory safety precautions.
• Return the cell for disposal, following directions included with the License Verification
Form (part number 19233-90750).
• Include a letter stating the condition of abuse.

It is unlikely, even in this very unusual situation, that radioactive material will escape the cell.
However, permanent damage to the 63Ni plating within the cell is possible; therefore, the cell
must be returned for exchange.

Do not use solvents to clean the ECD.


WAR N IN G

You may not open the ECD cell unless authorized to do so by your local nuclear regulatory
WAR N IN G agency. Do not disturb the four socket-head bolts. These hold the cell halves together. United
States customers removing or disturbing them is a violation of the terms of the exemption
and could create a safety hazard.

228 Maintaining Your GC


14 Maintaining the ECD
Important Safety Information About the ECD

When handling ECDs:


• Never eat, drink, or smoke.
• Always wear safety glasses when working with or near open ECDs.
• Wear protective clothing such as laboratory jackets, safety glasses, and gloves, and follow
good laboratory practices. Wash hands thoroughly with a mild nonabrasive cleaner after
handling ECDs.
• Cap the inlet and outlet fittings when the ECD is not in use.
• Connect the ECD exhaust vent to a fume hood or vent it to the outside. See the latest
revision of 10 CFR Part 20 (including Appendix B), or the applicable state regulation. For
other countries, consult with the appropriate agency for equivalent requirements.
Agilent Technologies recommends a vent line internal diameter of 6 mm (1/4-inch) or
greater. With a line of this diameter, the length is not critical.

Maintaining Your GC 229


14 Maintaining the ECD
Consumables and Parts for the ECD

Consumables and Parts for the ECD


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 36 ECD consumables and parts

Description Part number/quantity

Fused silica indented mixing liner G2397-20540

Makeup gas adapter G3433-63000

ECD wipe test kit 18713-60050

Insulation 19234-60715 (1/pk)

Nut, 1/4-inch Swagelok adapter 5180-4105 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphitized Vespel, 1/4-inch 5080-8774 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut 5020-8294

1/4-inch Detector adapter, for 1/8-inch packed columns 19301-80530

Table 37 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

230 Maintaining Your GC


14 Maintaining the ECD
Consumables and Parts for the ECD

Table 37 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns (continued)

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- to Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
.320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

Maintaining Your GC 231


14 Maintaining the ECD
Exploded Parts View of the Electron Capture Detector

Exploded Parts View of the Electron Capture


Detector

Perforated cover

Warning tag

Electrometer

Ferrules

Adapter nut

Cap

Liner

Makeup gas line

Makeup gas adapter

Column nut

Figure 47. Electron Capture Detector (ECD) exploded parts

232 Maintaining Your GC


14 Maintaining the ECD
To Replace the ECD Fused Silica Indented Mixing Liner and Install the Makeup Gas Adapter

To Replace the ECD Fused Silica Indented Mixing


Liner and Install the Makeup Gas Adapter
1 Gather the following:
• Fused silica indented mixing liner, see “Consumables and Parts for the ECD” on
page 230.
• 1/4-inch Swagelok nut
• 1/4-inch Vespel/graphite ferrule
• 9/16-inch wrench
• Methanol
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready to continue (all
zones cooled to safe handling temperatures).

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Remove the column from the makeup gas adapter.

To prevent damage avoid flexing/bending the tubing on the makeup gas adapter.
C AU T I O N

4 Remove the makeup gas adapter.


a Loosen the adapter nut with a wrench and slide out the makeup gas adapter from the
ECD. Remove the ferrule.
The makeup gas adapter will remain attached to the supply tubing and hang
suspended in the oven.
b Adjust the adapter’s position so that maintenance can be performed on the adapter
easily and without obstruction.

Maintaining Your GC 233


14 Maintaining the ECD
To Replace the ECD Fused Silica Indented Mixing Liner and Install the Makeup Gas Adapter

5 Unscrew and remove the adapter cap.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

6 Remove the fused silica indented mixing liner and inspect. Replace it if it is broken or
contaminated with sample or graphite.
7 Ultrasonically clean the adapter cap in methanol. Clean the outer surfaces of the makeup
gas adapter with methanol.
8 Install the fused silica indented mixing liner into the makeup gas adapter, then install the
cap. The indentation on the fused silica indented mixing liner must be at the cap end of the
adapter.

Indentation
Cap

Fused silica indented


mixing liner
Capillary column
makeup gas
adapter

9 Place a new 1/4-inch Swagelok nut and ferrule onto the makeup gas adapter.

Ferrule

1/4-inch nut

234 Maintaining Your GC


14 Maintaining the ECD
To Replace the ECD Fused Silica Indented Mixing Liner and Install the Makeup Gas Adapter

10 Slowly install the adapter straight into the detector fitting. Jiggle the adapter, if necessary,
to make sure it is seated all the way into the detector fitting. Be careful not to break the
column end.

Detector fitting

11 Tighten the nut finger-tight and then use a 9/16-inch wrench to tighten until snug.
If the adapter is properly installed, the distance between the 1/4-inch nut and the bottom
of the adapter will be 19 ± 1 mm. If the distance is 22 to 23 mm, install the adapter into
the detector fitting.

19 ± 1 mm

12 Attach the column. See “To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD” on page 236.
13 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
14 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

Maintaining Your GC 235


14 Maintaining the ECD
To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD

To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD


1 Gather the following:
• Ferrule, see “Consumables and Parts for the ECD” on page 230.
• Column nut
• Septum
• Column
• 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch, and 9/16-inch wrenches
• Column cutter
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

3 Load the inlet maintenance method and wait for the GC to become ready.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

4 Place a septum (if the column id is ≤0.2 mm), capillary column nut, and ferrule on the
column.

Ferrule

Column nut

Septum

5 Score the column using a glass scribing tool. The score must be square to ensure a clean
break.

236 Maintaining Your GC


14 Maintaining the ECD
To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD

6 Break off the column end by supporting it against the column cutter opposite the scribe.
Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain there are no burrs or jagged
edges.

Bad

Good

7 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
8 Install the column.
If the column id is 200 um or more, push the column into the adapter until it stops at the
indentation. Pull it back 1 to 2 mm and tighten the column nut with one 5/16-inch wrench
on the adapter and another 1/4-inch wrench on the column nut.
If the id is less the 200 um, mark the column with a septum 70 ± 1 mm from the end.
Insert column and nut into the adapter with the septum at the rear of the column nut, and
tighten the column nut with one 5/16-inch wrench on the adapter and another 1/4-inch
wrench on the column nut.

70 ± 1 mm

Septum

9 After heating the detector, retighten the 9/16-inch makeup adapter nut and 1/4-inch
column nut.
10 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

Maintaining Your GC 237


14 Maintaining the ECD
To Bakeout the ECD

To Bakeout the ECD


Detector disassembly and/or cleaning procedures other than thermal should be performed
WAR N IN G only by personnel trained and licensed appropriately to handle radioactive materials. Trace
amounts of radioactive 63Ni may be removed during other procedures, causing possible
hazardous exposure to b- and x-radiation.

To prevent possible hazardous contamination of the area with radioactive material, the
C AU T I O N detector exhaust vent always must be connected to a fume hood or otherwise vented in
compliance with the latest revision of 10 CFR Part 20, or with state regulations with which the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission has entered into an agreement (USA only). For other
countries, consult with the appropriate agency for equivalent requirements.

1 Gather the following:


• Column nut and no-hole ferrule, see “Consumables and Parts for the ECD” on page 230.
• Blanking nut with any column ferrule
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready to continue (all
zones cooled to safe handling temperatures).
3 With the detector oven at normal operating temperatures, show the detector output signal
in Status. Note the value of the Output for later comparison.
a On the GC touchscreen go to Home > Status listing > +Add.
b Select Detector 1 Output (or Detector 2 Output) from the drop-down list.
c Touch Add.

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

4 If the column maximum temperature is < 250 °C, remove the column from the detector.
5 If the column is uninstalled, plug the detector connection with the column nut and no-hole
ferrule.
Maintain inert carrier gas flow through the column, or remove the column from the GC.
6 Set the ECD temperature to 350 to 375 °C, the makeup gas flow to 60 mL/min, and the
oven temperature to 250 °C. If the column is uninstalled, leave the oven off to protect the
column.
7 If the column is installed in the ECD, set the oven temperature to 250 °C. If the column is
uninstalled, leave the oven off to protect the column.

238 Maintaining Your GC


14 Maintaining the ECD
To Bakeout the ECD

8 Allow thermal cleaning to continue for several hours and then cool the system to normal
operating temperatures. The figure below shows detector output during a typical cleaning
cycle.

9 Check the ECD output value on the control table. It should be lower than the first reading. If
it is not, contact your Agilent service representative.
10 Reinstall the column.
11 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
12 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 239


14 Maintaining the ECD
To Bakeout the ECD

240 Maintaining Your GC


15 Maintaining the FPD+
Consumables and Parts for the FPD+ 242

Exploded Parts View of the Flame Photometric Detector Plus 244

To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+ 245

To Change the FPD+ Wavelength Filter 247

To Remove the FPD+ Cover 250

To Replace the FPD+ Ignitor 251

To Install the FPD+ Cover 253

Cleaning the FPD+ Brazement 254

Maintaining Your GC 241


15 Maintaining the FPD+
Consumables and Parts for the FPD+

Consumables and Parts for the FPD+


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the Agilent
Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 38 FPD supplies

Description Part number/quantity

Sulfur filter 1000-1437

Sulfur filter spacer 19256-20910

Phosphorus filter 19256-80010

Exit tube assembly G3435-60330

O-ring for exit tube assembly 0905-1014

Ignitor 19256-60750

Screw, M3 × 6 mm, T-10 0515-0680

Collet 19256-20690

Column measuring tool G3435-81380

Spring to secure photomultiplier tube 1460-1160

Nut, 1/8-inch, brass, for packed column adapters 5180-4103 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 1/8-inch, for packed column adapters 0100-1332 (10/pk)

Nut, 1/4-inch, brass, for packed column adapters 5180-4105 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel, 1/4-inch, for packed column adapters 5080-8774 (10/pk)

1/8-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81340

1/4-inch Packed column adapter assembly G3435-81330

Preventive maintenance kit, single FPD+ G3435-67000

Preventive maintenance kit, dual FPD+ G3436-67000

Table 39 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.530 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.45-mm and 0.53-mm capillary columns 5062-3512 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 1.0-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 5080-8773 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.8-mm id 0.53-mm capillary columns 500-2118 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8293


0.53-mm columns)

242 Maintaining Your GC


15 Maintaining the FPD+
Consumables and Parts for the FPD+

Table 39 Nuts, ferrules, and hardware for capillary columns (continued)

Column id (mm) Description Typical use Part number/quantity

.320 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.32-mm capillary columns 5062-3514 (10/pk)

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
to .320-mm columns)

.250 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
to .320-mm columns)

.100 and .200 Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.37-mm id 0.1-mm and 0.2-mm capillary columns 5062-3516 (10/pk)

Ferrule, Vespel/graphite, 0.4-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, and 0.25-mm capillary 5181-3323 (10/pk)
columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.5-mm id 0.1-mm, 0.2-mm, 0.25-mm, and 0.32-mm 5080-8853 (10/pk)
capillary columns

Ferrule, graphite, 0.4-mm id 500-2114 (10/pk)

Column nut, finger-tight (for .100- Connect column to inlet or detector 5020-8292
to .320-mm columns)

All Ferrule, no-hole Testing 5181-3308 (10/pk)

Capillary column blanking nut Testing–use with any ferrule 5020-8294

Column nut, universal Connect column to inlet or detector 5181-8830 (2/pk)

Column cutter, ceramic wafer Cutting capillary columns 5181-8836 (4/pk)

Pencil, diamond tipped Cutting capillary columns 420-1000

Ferrule tool kit Ferrule installation 440-1000

Maintaining Your GC 243


15 Maintaining the FPD+
Exploded Parts View of the Flame Photometric Detector Plus

Exploded Parts View of the Flame Photometric


Detector Plus

Single wavelength
FPD+ cover Filter

Spacer (for
sulfur filter)
Ignitor (glow plug)
Spring
Collar

Screw
PMT assembly

Ignitor cable
assembly

Column ferrule Adapter ferrule


Capillary column nut Adapter nut

1/8-inch Packed
column adapter

Figure 48. Flame Photometric Detector Plus (FPD+) single wavelength exploded parts

Dual wavelength FPD


cover Spring

PMT assembly, left,


usually with phosphorus
filter installed PMT assembly, right,
usually with sulfur filter
installed

Column measuring tool


Figure 49. Flame Photometric Detector Plus (FPD+) dual wavelength exploded parts

244 Maintaining Your GC


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+

To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+


1 Gather the following:
• Column measuring tool, see “Consumables and Parts for the FPD+” on page 242.
• Column cutter
• 1/4-inch and 7/16-inch wrenches
• Column nut
• Ferrule
• Capillary column
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The oven and/or detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is
WAR N IN G hot, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles while handling, cutting, or
WAR N IN G installing glass or fused silica capillary columns. Use care in handling these columns to
prevent puncture wounds.

Wear clean, lint-free gloves to prevent contamination of parts with dirt and skin oils.
C AU T I O N

3 Assemble a septum, column nut, and ferrule on the end of the column.
4 Insert the end of the column through the column measuring tool so that the end protrudes
beyond the tool.

Score column here

Column measuring tool

Column nut
137.5 mm
Ferrule

5 Tighten the column nut until it grips the column. Tighten the nut an additional 1/8 to 1/4
turn with a pair of wrenches. Snug the septum against the base of the column nut.
6 Use a wafer cutter at 45 ° to score the column.
7 Snap off the column end. The column may protrude about 1 mm beyond the end of the
tool. Inspect the end with a magnifying loupe to make certain that there are no burrs or
jagged edges.

Maintaining Your GC 245


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+

Bad

Good
8 Remove the column, nut, and swaged ferrule from the tool.
9 Wipe the column walls with a tissue dampened with isopropanol to remove fingerprints
and dust.
10 Carefully thread the swaged column up into the detector fitting. Finger-tighten the column
nut, then use a wrench to tighten an additional 1/8 turn.
11 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

246 Maintaining Your GC


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Change the FPD+ Wavelength Filter

To Change the FPD+ Wavelength Filter


Do not touch the filter with your bare hands. For optimum performance and to avoid
C AU T I O N scratches, use lint-free gloves for assembling and inserting the filter into the assembly.

1 Gather the following:


• Sulfur filter with filter spacer, see “Consumables and Parts for the FPD+” on page 242.
• Phosphorus filter
• Cotton swab
• Lens tissue
• Lint-free gloves
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.
3 Verify that the PMT voltage is off.
a On the GC touchscreen, select Overview. When prompted, select Exit to exit the
current screen while remaining in Maintenance Mode. (Do not Abort.)
b Navigate to Methods > Active Method > Edit > Detectors, scroll to Detector Specifics,
then select the Photomultiplier High Voltage.
c If the voltage is enabled, turn it off and apply the updated method.
d Return to the maintenance mode screen: Maintenance > Instrument.

Be careful! The detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

The photomultiplier tube (PMT) is extremely sensitive to light. Always turn off the
C AU T I O N electrometer (which turns off the high voltage to the PMT) before removing the PMT housing
or opening the emissions chamber. Failing to do this can destroy the PMT.

Even with the electrometer off, protect the PMT from room light. Cap the housing after it is
removed, place it end down to exclude light, or reduce the room light level before exposing
the PMT. A brief exposure (always with the electrometer turned off) will not damage it, but
prolonged exposure will cause a gradual loss of sensitivity.

4 Disconnect the retaining spring that holds the PMT assembly to the bracket. With a
rotating motion, pull the assembly away from the filter housing.

Maintaining Your GC 247


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Change the FPD+ Wavelength Filter

5 To prevent light from damaging the PMT, cap the end or place it face down.

6 Place a clean cloth under the filter housing to catch the filter.
• For phosphorus filter, use the sharpened wooden tip of a toothpick or cotton swab to
dislodge the filter from the housing.
• For sulfur filter (shown below), use the wooden tip of the cotton swab to remove the
filter spacer. Then dislodge the filter from the housing.

248 Maintaining Your GC


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Change the FPD+ Wavelength Filter

Sulfur filter

Filter spacer

Do not use cleaning fluids. Cleaning fluids will damage lens coatings.
C AU T I O N

7 Clean the new filter with lens tissue.

Filters are designed for the light of the flame to pass through in a specific direction. The
C AU T I O N triangle (on the edge of the phosphorus filter) and the arrow (on the edge of the sulfur filter)
should face away from the flame and toward the PMT.

8 Install the filter in the filter housing. Install the sulfur filter spacer, if necessary.
9 Replace the PMT assembly and secure with the spring.
10 Route the PMT wires through the clips as shown. Avoid placing the wires very near heated
areas (such as the emission block or oven top).

11 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
12 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 249


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Remove the FPD+ Cover

To Remove the FPD+ Cover


1 Gather the following:
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
2 Turn off the flame, then turn off the GC.

When turning off the GC, first turn off the flame to prevent condensation from dripping into
C AU T I O N the jet and column.

Be careful! The detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Open the FPD detector top cover.


4 Loosen the screws securing the FPD cover to the top of the detector.

5 For a single wavelength FPD, remove the two screws at the bottom left of the cover.

6 Lift the cover off the detector.

250 Maintaining Your GC


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Replace the FPD+ Ignitor

To Replace the FPD+ Ignitor


1 Gather the following:
• Ignitor replacement kit, see “Consumables and Parts for the FPD+” on page 242.
• Torx screwdrivers, T-20 and T-10
• 5/16-inch nut driver (or wrench)
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

Be careful! The detector may be hot enough to cause burns. If the detector is hot, wear
WAR N IN G heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

3 Remove the FPD cover. See “To Remove the FPD+ Cover” on page 250.
4 Loosen the collet screw holding the cable assembly to the ignitor. Remove the collet and
cable assembly.

5 Use a nut driver to loosen and remove the glow plug.


• If using a 5/16-inch wrench, you may need to remove the exit tube assembly using a
T-10 Torx driver

Maintaining Your GC 251


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Replace the FPD+ Ignitor

6 Install the new ignitor assembly and tighten with the nut driver. Do not overtighten. (If the
ignitor comes with a copper washer, discard the copper washer.)
7 Replace the ignitor collet and cable assembly and tighten the screw. Align the collet set
screw as shown. Do not let the collet screw touch metal parts, such as the emission block
or PMT bracket (dual wavelength detector).

8 Replace the FPD cover. See “To Install the FPD+ Cover” on page 253.
9 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
10 Restore the analytical method.
11 Wait 20 min. for the detector to heat up, then ignite the flame.
12 Reset the EMF counter.
13 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.

252 Maintaining Your GC


15 Maintaining the FPD+
To Install the FPD+ Cover

To Install the FPD+ Cover


1 Gather the following:
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
2 Install the cover.
Single-wavelength detector:
a Start the two screws on the right side of the cover.
b Start and tighten the screws at the base on the left side.
c Tighten the screws on the right side.
Dual-wavelength detector: Install the cover (two screws).
3 Close the FPD detector top cover.

Maintaining Your GC 253


15 Maintaining the FPD+
Cleaning the FPD+ Brazement

Cleaning the FPD+ Brazement


The brazement uses an inert coating layer. Abrasives may scratch this layer. Hard scrubbing
C AU T I O N can scratch this layer. Solutions or soaps with a pH > 8 can also damage this layer. Do not
steam clean.

The FPD+ brazement, which consists of the transfer line and emission block assemblies, uses
an inert coating layer to provide better performance. Normally, manually cleaning the
brazement is not required. However, if it becomes necessary to clean the brazement to
remove contamination, note that exposing the inert coating to abrasives or certain solvents
will degrade the coating. If cleaning is needed, follow the recommendations below for best
results:
• Rinse with a solvent appropriate to dissolve the expected contaminants. Avoid abrasive or
highly basic solutions (see the caution above). Recommended solvents: dichloromethane,
acetone, or methanol.
• Mildly sonicate if needed, but excessive sonication can damage the coating layer.
• Gently remove solids using a soft, nylon bristle brush. Do not scrub hard. Recommended
brush: Use the MMI inlet cleaning brush from the MMI cleaning kit (G3510-80820). (Do
NOT used the MMI inlet abrasive cleaning swab, G3510-80829.)

254 Maintaining Your GC


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Consumables and Parts for the Aux EPC 256

Installing or Replacing Frits in the Aux EPC 258

Consumables and Parts for the PCM 260

Calibrating the PCM Interface 261

Installing or Replacing Frits in the PCM 262

This chapter describes the maintenance procedures for Auxiliary EPC (Aux) and Pneumatics
Control Module (PCM). Pneumatic Switching Devices (PSD) do not have any required routine
maintenance.

Maintaining Your GC 255


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Consumables and Parts for the Aux EPC

Consumables and Parts for the Aux EPC


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 40 Aux EPC consumables

Description Part number

O-rings, package of 6 5181-3344

Blue dot frit, high flow resistance G3430-80063

Red dot frit, medium flow resistance G3430-80062

Brown dot frit, low flow resistance G3430-80061

No frit (brass tube), zero flow resistance G3430-20011

Table 41 Auxiliary channel frits

Frit marking Flow resistance Flow characteristic Often used with

Three rings High 3.33 ± 0.3 SCCM @ 15 PSIG NPD Hydrogen


Blue

Two rings Medium 30 ± 1.5 SCCM H2 @ 15 PSIG FID Hydrogen


Red

One ring Low 400 ± 30 SCCM AIR @ 40 PSIG FID Air, QuickSwap, Purged
Brown splitters, Deans Switch

256 Maintaining Your GC


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Consumables and Parts for the Aux EPC

Table 41 Auxiliary channel frits (continued)

Frit marking Flow resistance Flow characteristic Often used with

None (brass tube) Zero No restriction Headspace vial


pressurization, purged
splitter and Deans Switch
when using backflush

Maintaining Your GC 257


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Installing or Replacing Frits in the Aux EPC

Installing or Replacing Frits in the Aux EPC


To install or replace a frit in the Aux EPC block:
1 Gather the following:
• T-10 Torx screwdriver
• Appropriate O-ring and frit
• Tweezers

When hydrogen is used, dangerously high flows are possible if insufficient flow resistance is
WAR N IN G provided downstream of the supply tube. Always use either the High (Blue dot) or Medium
(Red dot) frit with hydrogen.

2 Turn off the gas supply to the channel.


3 To select the appropriate auxiliary channel frit. See Table 41.
4 Identify which frit needs to be changed. Trace the tubing as needed to confirm.
5 Remove the screw to the molded partner fitting.
6 Lift the molded partner fitting away from the Aux EPC module.
7 Remove the tubing weldment for the desired channel. This will expose the frit and its
O-ring.
8 Gently remove the frit and O-ring using the tweezers. Be careful to avoid scratching the
metal surfaces.
9 Place a new O-ring onto the end of the new frit, and insert the frit into the open end of the
tubing weldment.

258 Maintaining Your GC


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Installing or Replacing Frits in the Aux EPC

Screw

Molded Partner fitting

Frit O-ring

Tubing weldment

Figure 50. Replace an Aux EPC frit (2 flow tube channels not shown)

10 Place the tubing weldment into the Aux EPC module, and secure in place using the molded
partner fitting and screw.
11 Restore gas flows and check for leaks at the fitting.
After installing or replacing a frit, be sure to update the Aux EPC module PIDs used with your
module. If needed, update the Aux EPC module PIDs using the GC Firmware Update Tool
available on www.agilent.com. To download the GC Firmware Update Tool, open a web
browser, navigate to www.agilent.com, then in the search box type in “GC Firmware Update” to
search for the tool.

Maintaining Your GC 259


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Consumables and Parts for the PCM

Consumables and Parts for the PCM


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 42 PCM consumables

Description Part number

O-rings, package of 12 5180-4181

Proportional valve, Carrier G3430-67013

Proportional valve, AUX G3430-67016

260 Maintaining Your GC


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Calibrating the PCM Interface

Calibrating the PCM Interface


The interface's flow module contains a pressure sensor that must be zeroed after it is installed
on the GC. Calibration ensures an accurate interface pressure display.
Do not connect the carrier gas to the flow module until you have zeroed the interface's
pressure sensor.
Complete the following steps:
1 If the gas supply is connected to the GC, turn off the supply at the source, then disconnect
the supply line from the PCM inlet fitting.
2 Turn on the GC and wait 15 minutes to allow it to reach thermal equilibrium.
3 When the GC has reached thermal equilibrium, press Options, scroll to Calibration and
press Enter.
4 Scroll to the module to be zeroed and press Enter.
5 Scroll to a zero line and press Info. The GC will remind you of the conditions necessary for
zeroing that specific sensor.
Flow sensors. Verify that the gas is connected and flowing (turned on).
Pressure sensors. Disconnect the gas supply line at the back of the GC. Turning it off is
not adequate; the valve may leak.
6 Press On/Yes to zero or Clear to cancel.
7 Turn off the GC.
8 Plumb the carrier gas to the flow module.
9 Turn on the GC.
If you were calibrating the flow sensor after replacing the PCM, check for leaks.

Maintaining Your GC 261


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Installing or Replacing Frits in the PCM

Installing or Replacing Frits in the PCM


To install or replace a frit:
1 Gather the following:
• O-rings, package of 12, p/n 5180-4181
• Frit
• Tweezers
2 Turn off the gas supply to the channel.
3 Select the appropriate frit.
4 Remove the screw holding the partner fitting with the output tubing.
5 Remove the tubing block. Remove the frit and O-ring using the tweezers. Be careful to
avoid scratching the metal surfaces.
6 Remove the other O-ring as well. Replace it with a new O-ring.

Screw
Frit
Molded Partner fitting

O-ring

Channel 1

Channel 2

7 Place a new O-ring on the new frit and press it down into the block.
8 Place the block on the module and tighten the screw firmly.
9 Restore the gas supply.

262 Maintaining Your GC


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Installing or Replacing Frits in the PCM

When hydrogen is used, dangerously high flows are possible if insufficient flow resistance is
WAR N IN G provided downstream of the supply tube. Always use either the High (Blue dot) or Medium
(Red dot) frit with hydrogen.

After installing or replacing a frit, be sure to update the PIDs used with your PCM.

Maintaining Your GC 263


16 Maintaining EPC Modules
Installing or Replacing Frits in the PCM

264 Maintaining Your GC


17 Maintaining a Valve
Consumables and Parts for Valves 266

Exploded Parts View of GC Rotary Valves 267

To Replace a Gas Sampling Valve Loop 268

To Align a Rotary Valve Rotor 270

To Replace a Rotary Valve in the Valve Box 271

To Remove the Upper Valve Box 274

To Install the Upper Valve Box 275

Maintaining Your GC 265


17 Maintaining a Valve
Consumables and Parts for Valves

Consumables and Parts for Valves


See the Agilent catalog for consumables and supplies for a more complete listing, or visit the
Agilent Web site for the latest information (www.agilent.com/chem/supplies).

Table 43 Valve supplies

Description Part number

Valves, gas sampling

6-port, 300 psi 0101-0584

6-port, 400 psi, 225 °C maximum temperature 5062-9508

6-port, 300 °C maximum temperature 0101-0460

6-port Hastelloy, 400 psi, 225 °C maximum temperature 5062-9509

10-port, 400 psi, 225 °C maximum temperature 5062-9510

10-port Nitronic 60, 300 psi, 350 °C maximum temperature 0101-0585

10-port Hastelloy, 400 psi, 225 °C maximum temperature 5062-9511

Valves, liquid sampling

0.2-µL, 1000 psi, stainless steel, 175 °C maximum temperature 0101-0636

0.5-µL, 5000 psi, 175 °C maximum temperature 0101-0639

0.5-µL, 1000 psi, stainless steel, 175 °C maximum temperature 0101-0637

1.0-µL, 1000 psi, stainless steel, 175 °C maximum temperature 0101-0638

Gas sampling valve sample loops

0.25-cc 0101-0303

0.50-cc 0101-0282

1.00-cc 0101-0299

2.00-cc 0101-0300

2.0-mL nickel loop, 1/16-inch 0101-0955

5.00-cc 0101-0301

10.00-cc 0101-0302

Ferrule, 1/16-inch stainless steel (10/pk) 5181-1291

Nut, 1/16-inch (10/pk) 5181-1292

266 Maintaining Your GC


17 Maintaining a Valve
Exploded Parts View of GC Rotary Valves

Exploded Parts View of GC Rotary Valves

Valve actuator

Upper valve box assembly

Valve body

Rotor index pin

Valve rotor

Preload assembly

Figure 51. GC rotary valve exploded parts

Maintaining Your GC 267


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Replace a Gas Sampling Valve Loop

To Replace a Gas Sampling Valve Loop


1 Gather the following:
• Replacement sample loop, see “Consumables and Parts for Valves” on page 266.
• 1/4-inch wrench
• Vacuum cleaner
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.
3 Turn off the detector.

The oven, inlet, detector, and valve box may be very hot.
WAR N IN G
Sample and/or harmful gases may be present. Refer to your company’s standard operating
procedures for purging the chemicals from the sample line.

4 Set all valve box valves to Off.


5 Leave on the GC and valve actuator air.
6 Turn off the carrier gas and sample line flows and relieve any back pressure to the valve.

The valve box insulation is made of refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs). To avoid inhaling RCF
WAR N IN G particles, we recommend these safety procedures:
• Ventilate your work area
• Wear long sleeves, gloves, safety glasses, and a disposable dust/mist respirator
• Dispose of insulation in a sealed plastic bag
• Vacuum any residual particles and discard
• Wash your hands with mild soap and cold water after handling RCFs.

7 Remove the upper valve box. See “To Remove the Upper Valve Box” on page 274.
8 Vacuum any loose particulate insulation.
9 When the valve is cool, loosen the sample loop’s two 1/4-inch fittings on the valve head
and remove the loop.

Sample loop

268 Maintaining Your GC


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Replace a Gas Sampling Valve Loop

10 Install the new sample loop.


11 Repressurize the sample loop and check for leaks.
12 Install the upper valve box. See “To Install the Upper Valve Box” on page 275.
13 Exit maintenance mode: Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
14 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 269


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Align a Rotary Valve Rotor

To Align a Rotary Valve Rotor


1 Gather the following:
• Flathead screwdriver
• 3-mm hex key wrench
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
2 Set the oven and valve box heated zones to a safe handling temperature (25 °C).
3 Set all valves to Off.

The oven, inlet, detector, and valve box may be very hot. If they are hot, wear heat-resistant
WAR N IN G gloves to protect your hands.

4 Loosen the adjustment set screw.

Rotor adjustment
slotted shaft

Adjustment set screw

5 Locate the rotor adjustment shaft on top of the actuator. Using a flathead screwdriver,
rotate the valve rotor counterclockwise until it stops, then back it off a small amount to set
one end of the rotor’s motion (< 1 mm).
6 Tighten the adjustment set screw.
7 Turn the valve On, turn Off to check for smooth operation.
8 Restore the analytical method.

270 Maintaining Your GC


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Replace a Rotary Valve in the Valve Box

To Replace a Rotary Valve in the Valve Box


Do not install a liquid sampling valve (LSV) in the valve box if you plan to heat the box above
WAR N IN G 75 °C. Heating an LSV over 75 °C can cause a leak and subsequent explosion. LSVs should
be mounted in the side location to avoid potential explosions.

1 Gather the following:


• Replacement valve, see “Consumables and Parts for Valves” on page 266.
• T-10 Torx screwdriver
• 1/4-inch wrench
• Needle-nosed pliers
• Vacuum
2 Place GC in maintenance mode: Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

The oven, inlet, detector, and valve box may be very hot.
WAR N IN G
Sample and/or harmful gases may be present. Refer to your company’s standard operating
procedures for purging the chemicals from the sample line.

3 Set all valves to Off.


4 Leave on the GC and valve actuator air.
5 Turn off the carrier gas and sample line flows and relieve any back pressure to the valve.

The valve box insulation is made of refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs). To avoid inhaling RCF
WAR N IN G particles, we recommend these safety procedures:
• Ventilate your work area
• Wear long sleeves, gloves, safety glasses, and a disposable dust/mist respirator
• Dispose of insulation in a sealed plastic bag
• Vacuum any residual particles and discard
• Wash your hands with mild soap and cold water after handling RCFs.

6 Remove the upper valve box. See “To Remove the Upper Valve Box” on page 274.
Vacuum any RCF insulation particulates from the valve box area.
7 Note the tubing connections to the existing valve and label if desired.
8 Disconnect the existing valve fittings.
9 Remove the two T-10 Torx screws attaching the valve to the valve box, then remove the
valve from the valve box.
10 Place the new valve in the valve box. The gap in the index ring on top of a 6-port valve
points toward the back of the GC if installed correctly. This is the On position. Install and
tighten the two screws with a screwdriver.

Maintaining Your GC 271


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Replace a Rotary Valve in the Valve Box

11 Use needle-nosed pliers to move the valve rotor index pin of the valve counterclockwise
until the pin touches the valve stop Off position.

Valve rotor index pin

Valve stop Off position

12 Plumb the new valve using the existing fittings.

Hazardous sample gases may be present.


WAR N IN G

4. Column

5. Carrier gas in

2. Sample out
1. Sample in

13 Turn on the carrier and sample gases, then check for leaks at the valve fittings.
• Using the needle-nosed pliers to toggle the valve, check both the On and Off positions.
• When leak free, set the valve to Off. See step 11.
14 Install the upper valve box assembly. See “To Install the Upper Valve Box” on page 275.
15 Reset the valve EMF counters.

272 Maintaining Your GC


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Replace a Rotary Valve in the Valve Box

16 Perform an inlet Leak & Restriction test and reset the maintenance counters.
17 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.
18 Restore the analytical method.

Maintaining Your GC 273


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Remove the Upper Valve Box

To Remove the Upper Valve Box


1 Gather a T-20 Torx screwdriver.
2 Set the valve box to a safe handling temperature (25 °C), or prepare for maintenance:
Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance > Maintenance Mode > Start
Maintenance. Wait for the GC to become ready.

The oven, inlet, detector, and valve box may be very hot. If they are hot, wear heat-resistant
WAR N IN G gloves to protect your hands.

3 Lift and remove the detector cover.


4 Remove the mounting screws from the upper valve box.

5 Lift up and set aside.


6 Exit maintenance mode. Select Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance >
Maintenance Mode > Finished.

The valve box insulation is made of refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs). To avoid inhaling RCF
WAR N IN G particles, we recommend these safety procedures:
• Ventilate your work area
• Wear long sleeves, gloves, safety glasses, and a disposable dust/mist respirator
• Dispose of insulation in a sealed plastic bag
• Vacuum any residual particles and discard
• Wash your hands with mild soap and cold water after handling RCFs.

274 Maintaining Your GC


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Install the Upper Valve Box

To Install the Upper Valve Box


1 Gather the following:
• T-20 Torx screwdriver
• 3-mm hex key wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
2 Verify that all valve rotors are in the full counterclockwise position (valve Off).
3 For each actuator that mates with a newly installed valve:
a Loosen the adjustment set screw.

Rotor adjustment
slotted shaft

Adjustment set screw

b Locate the rotor adjustment shaft on top of the actuator. Use a screwdriver to rotate
the valve rotor counterclockwise until it stops.

Rotor adjustment shaft

4 Locate the two half-moon cutouts at the bottom back of the upper valve box. Place the
upper valve box on top of the lower valve assembly, routing the heater/sensor wires
through the cutouts. Secure with two T-20 mounting screws.
5 Push each coupling/shaft assembly downward with a flathead screwdriver until the slot on
the coupling engages the rotor index pin.
If the coupling and valve do not engage, check that both are fully counterclockwise and
try again. If necessary, turn the shaft slightly to engage the coupling.
6 For each newly installed valve:
a Using a flathead screwdriver, turn the rotor adjustment shaft counterclockwise until it
stops, then back it off a small amount (< 1 mm) to set one end of the rotor’s motion.
b Tighten the adjustment set screw.
7 Install the detector cover.
8 Restore normal operating condition.

Maintaining Your GC 275


17 Maintaining a Valve
To Install the Upper Valve Box

276 Maintaining Your GC


A Swagelok Connections
Making Swagelok Connections 278

Using a Swagelok Tee 281

The gas supply tubing is attached with Swagelok fittings. If you are not familiar with Swagelok
connections, review the following procedures.

Maintaining Your GC 277


A Swagelok Connections
Making Swagelok Connections

Making Swagelok Connections


Objective
To make a tubing connection that does not leak and that can be taken apart without damaging
the fitting.

Materials needed:
• 1/8-inch (or 1/4-inch, if used) preconditioned copper tubing
• 1/8-inch (or 1/4-inch, if used) Swagelok nuts
• Front and back ferrules
• Two 7/16-inch (for 1/8-inch nuts) or 9/16-inch (for 1/4-inch nuts) wrenches
1 Place a Swagelok nut, back ferrule, and front ferrule to the tubing as shown in Figure 52.

Front ferrule IMPORTANT!


The narrow end of the back
Back ferrule ferrule fits into the rear of
the front ferrule.
Nut

Tubing

Figure 52. Swagelok nuts and ferrules

2 Clamp a stainless steel plug or similar fitting in a bench vise.

Use a separate stainless steel fitting in a vise for initial tightening of the nut. Do not use an
C AU T I O N inlet or detector fitting. Strong forces are required to properly set the ferrules, and damage to
an inlet or detector fitting is very costly to repair.

3 Push the tubing into the stainless steel plug. See Figure 53.
4 Make sure that the front ferrule is touching the plug. Slide the Swagelok nut over the ferrule
and thread it onto the plug.

Nut and ferrules

Plug or fitting
held in a vise Tubing

Figure 53. Assemble the fitting

278 Maintaining Your GC


A Swagelok Connections
Making Swagelok Connections

5 Push the tube fully into the plug, then withdraw it approximately 1 to 2 mm as shown in
Figure 54.

Front Nut
ferrule
Insert tubing fully

Back
ferrule

Withdraw tubing 1 to 2 mm

Tighten nut

Figure 54. Insert the tubing

6 Finger-tighten the nut.


7 Mark the nut with a pencil line. See Figure 55.

Pencil line

Figure 55. Mark the fitting

8 For 1/8-inch Swagelok fittings, use a pair of 7/16-inch wrenches to tighten the fitting 3/4 of
a turn. See Figure 56.
For 1/4-inch fittings, use a pair of 9/16-inch wrenches to tighten them 1-1/4 turn, as
shown in Figure 56.

Figure 56. Final tightening

Maintaining Your GC 279


A Swagelok Connections
Making Swagelok Connections

9 Remove the plug from the fitting. To connect the tubing, with nut and ferrules, to another
fitting, finger-tighten the nut, then use a wrench to tighten it 3/4 (1/8-inch fittings) or 1-1/4
(1/4-inch fittings) of a turn.
10 Both correctly- and incorrectly-swaged connections are shown in Figure 57. Note that the
end of the tubing in a correctly-swaged fitting is not crushed and does not interfere with the
action of the ferrules.

Figure 57. Completed fitting

280 Maintaining Your GC


A Swagelok Connections
Using a Swagelok Tee

Using a Swagelok Tee


To supply gas from a single source to more than one input, use a Swagelok Tee.

Do not combine valve actuator air with flame ionization air. The valve action will cause major
NOTE upsets in the detector signal.

Materials needed:
• 1/8-inch preconditioned copper tubing
• Tubing cutter
• 1/8-inch Swagelok nuts and front and back ferrules
• 1/8-inch Swagelok Tee
• Two 7/16-inch wrenches
• 1/8-inch Swagelok cap (optional)
1 Cut the tubing where you want to install the Tee. Connect the tubing and Tee with a
Swagelok fitting. See Figure 58.

Cap

Tee fitting

Nut and ferrules

Figure 58. Swagelok tee

2 Measure the distance from the Tee to the GC inlets. Attach copper tubing to the open Tee
ends with Swagelok fittings.

Maintaining Your GC 281


www.agilent.com
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2019
First edition, January 2019
*G2790-90015*
G3540-90015

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