Agilent Technologies 1100 Series User manual

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Agilent 1100 Series
Micro Vacuum Degasser
Reference Manual

Agilent Technologies
Hewlett-Packard-Strasse 8
76337 Waldbronn
Germany
Copyright Agilent
Technologies 2000
All rights reserved.
Reproduction, adaption,
or translation without
prior written permission
is prohibited, except as
allowed under the
copyright laws.
Part No. G1379-90000
Edition 06/00
Printed in Germany
Warranty
The information
contained in this
document is subject to
change without notice.
Agilent Technologies
makes no warranty of
any kind with regard to
this material,
including, but not
limited to, the implied
warranties or
merchantability and
fitness for a particular
purpose.
Agilent Technologies
shall not be liable for
errors contained herein
or for incidental or
consequential damages
in connection with the
furnishing, performance,
or use of this material.
WARNING
For details of safety,
see Safety Information
on page 85.
Warning Symbols Used
In This Book
The apparatus is marked
with this symbol when
the user should refer to
the instruction manual
in order to prevent risk
of harm to the operator
and to protect the
apparatus against
damage.
!

Reference Manual
Agilent 1100 Series Micro Vacuum Degasser

4
In This Book
This manual contains technical reference information about the Agilent 1100
Series micro vacuum degasser. The manual describes the following:
• installation,
• optimizing performance,
• troubleshooting,
• repairing,
• parts and materials,
• theory of operation, and
•specifications.

Contents
5
1 Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
How to install the micro vacuum degasser 9
Site Requirements 10
Unpacking the Micro Vacuum Degasser 12
Optimizing the Stack Configuration 14
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser 16
Flow Connections to the Micro Vacuum Degasser 18
Transporting the Micro Vacuum Degasser 21
2 Optimizing Performance
How to optimize the micro vacuum degasser to achieve best
chromatographic results 23
Introduction to the Micro Vacuum Degasser 24
When to Use a Micro Vacuum Degasser? 25
Operation Modes of the Micro Vacuum Degasser 26
Operational Hints for the Micro Vacuum Degasser 29
Solvent Information 31
Prevent Blocking of Solvent Filters 32
3 Troubleshooting
Errors, their probable cause, and the action required to correct
them 33
Status Indicators 34
Power Supply Lamp 35
Instrument Status Indicator 35

6
Contents
Hardware Symptoms 36
All Lamps are Off 37
If the Status Indicator is Red 39
If the Status Indicator is Yellow and the Vacuum Pump is not
Running 40
If the Status Lamp is Yellow and the Vacuum Pump Runs
Continuously 41
4 Repairing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Instructions on how to repair the micro vacuum degasser 45
Cleaning the Instrument 48
Using the ESD Strap 49
Removing and Refitting the Top Cover 50
Assembling the Main Cover 52
Exchanging the Status Light Pipe 53
Overview of Internal Parts 54
Exchanging a Vacuum Chamber 55
Exchanging the Vacuum Pump 57
Exchanging the Solenoid Valve 59
Exchanging the Degasser Control Assembly and the Sensor
Assembly 60
5 Parts and Materials
Detailed illustrations and listings for parts and materials
identification 63
Micro Vacuum Degasser Parts 64

Contents
7
Cover Parts 66
Sheet Metal Kit 67
Power and Status Light Pipes 68
Accessory Kit 69
Cable Overview 70
Remote Cables 71
Auxiliary Cable 72
6 Theory of Operation
The vacuum degasser’s operation and electronics 73
How the Electronics Work 74
7 Specifications
Performance specifications of the micro vacuum degasser 79
Performance Specifications 80
Legal, Safety and Warranty Information 81
Warranty Statement 82
Safety Information 85
Radio Interference 88
Sound Emission 88
Agilent Technologies on Internet 89

8
Contents

1
1Installing the Micro
Vacuum Degasser
How to install the micro vacuum degasser

10
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Site Requirements
Site Requirements
A suitable environment is important to ensure optimum performance of the
micro vacuum degasser.
Power Considerations
The micro vacuum degasser power supply has wide-ranging capability (see
Table 1). It accepts any line voltage in the range mentioned below.
Consequently there is no voltage selector in the rear of the micro vacuum
degasser. There are two externally accessible fuses, that protect the power
supply.
WARNING Shock hazard or damage of your instrumentation can result, if the
devices are connected to a line voltage higher than specified.
WARNING Never use cables other than the ones supplied by Agilent Technologies
to ensure proper functionality and compliance with safety or EMC
regulations.
Power Cords
Different power cords are offered as options with the micro vacuum
degasser. The female end of each of the power cords is identical. It plugs into
the power-input socket at the rear of the micro vacuum degasser. The male
end of each of the power cords is different and designed to match the wall
socket of a particular country or region.
WARNING Never operate your instrumentation from a power outlet that has no
ground connection. Never use a power cord other than the power cord
designed for your region.
Bench Space
The micro vacuum degasser dimensions and weight (see Table 1) allow to
place the micro vacuum degasser on almost any desk or laboratory bench. It
needs an additional 2.5 cm (1.0 inches) of space at either side and
approximately 8 cm (3.1 inches) at the rear for the circulation of air and
electric connections.

11
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Site Requirements
If the bench should carry a complete Agilent 1100 Series system, make sure
that the bench is designed to carry the weight of all the modules.
Environment
Your micro vacuum degasser will work within specifications at ambient
temperatures and relative humidity as described in Table 1.
CAUTION Do not store, ship or use your micro vacuum degasser under conditions where
temperature fluctuations could cause condensation within the micro vacuum
degasser. Condensation will damage the system electronics. If your micro
vacuum degasser was shipped in cold weather, leave it in its box and allow it
to warm slowly to room temperature to avoid condensation.
NOTE The Agilent 1100 Series vacuum degasser has been tested for evaporation of
solvents into the atmosphere by an independent institute with approved
methods. The tests were performed with Methanol (BIA Nr. 7810) and
Acetonitrile (NIOSH, Nr. 1606). Evaporation of these solvents into the
atmosphere when operating the degasser was below the limits of detection.
Table 1 Physical Specifications
Type Specification Comments
Weight 7 kg (15.4 lbs)
Dimensions(width×depth×height) 345×435×80mm(13.5×17×3.1inches)
Line Voltage 100 – 120 or 220 – 240 VAC, ±10 % Wide-ranging capability
Line Frequency 50 or 60 Hz, ± 5 %
Power consumption 30 W Maximum
Ambient Operating Temperature 0 –55 °C (32 –131 °F) see CAUTION on page 11
Ambient Non-operating Temperature -40 –70 °C (-4 –158 °F)
Humidity <95%,at25–40 °C (77 –104 °F) Non-condensing
Operating Altitude Up to 2000 m (6500 ft)
Non-operating Altitude Up to 4600 m (14950 ft) For storing the instrument
Safety Standards: IEC, CSA, UL Installation Category II, Pollution Degree 2

12
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Unpacking the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Unpacking the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Damaged Packaging
Upon receipt of your micro vacuum degasser, inspect the shipping containers
for any signs of damage. If the containers or cushioning material are
damaged, save them until the contents have been checked for completeness
and the micro vacuum degasser has been mechanically and electrically
checked. If the shipping container or cushioning material is damaged, notify
the carrier and save the shipping material for the carriers inspection.
CAUTION If there are signs of damage, please do not attempt to install the micro vacuum
degasser.
Delivery Checklist
Ensure all parts and materials have been delivered with the micro vacuum
degasser. The delivery checklist is shown below. To aid in parts
identification, please see Chapter 5 “Parts and Materials”. Please report
missing or damaged parts to your local Agilent Technologies Sales and
Service Office.
Table 2 Vacuum Degasser Delivery Checklist
Description Quantity
Vacuum Degasser 1
Power Cable 1
Remote Cable 1
Auxiliary Cable As ordered
Reference Manual 1
Accessory Kit (Table 3) 1

13
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Unpacking the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Accessory Kit Contents
Table 3 Accessory Kit Contents G1322-68705
Description Part Number Quantity
Syringe*5062-8534 1
Syringe Adapter 9301-1337 1
Mounting Tool 0100-1710 1
Waste Tube** 5062-2463 1
Connecting Tubes labeled A to D G1322-67300 4
* Reorder Number (pack of 10)
** Reorder Number (5m)

14
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Optimizing the Stack Configuration
Optimizing the Stack Configuration
If your micro vacuum degasser is part of a system, you can ensure optimum
performance by limiting the configuration of the system stack to the
following configuration. This configuration optimizes the system flow path,
ensuring minimum delay volume (from point of solvent mixing to head of
column) and dead volume (from point of injection to detector outlet).
Figure 1 Recommended Stack Configuration (Front View)
Control Module
Detector
Column Compartment
Autosampler
Pump
Vacuum Degasser
Solvent Cabinet

15
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Optimizing the Stack Configuration
Figure 2 Recommended Stack Configuration (Rear View)
GPIB to
LC ChemStation
AC power
Analog signal
to recorder
Remote cable
CAN Bus cable to handheld
controller
CAN Bus cable for inter
module communication
Pressure output
to recorder

16
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
1Place the micro vacuum degasser on the bench.
2Ensure the power switch on the front of the micro vacuum degasser is OFF
(switch stands out).
3Connect the power cable to the power connector at the rear of the micro
vacuum degasser.
4Connect the interface cable to the micro vacuum degasser. The interface cable
(remote cable) is a one way connection to send a not-ready signal from the
degasser to the other modules to shut down the whole system after an error
condition of the degasser.
NOTE In an Agilent 1100 Series system, the individual modules are connected
through a CAN cable. The Agilent 1100 Series micro vacuum degasser is an
exception. The micro vacuum degasser can be connected via the APG remote
connector to the other modules of the stack. The AUX output allows to
monitor the vacuum pressure in the degasser chamber. An Agilent 1100 Series
control module can be connected to the CAN bus at any of the modules in the
system except for the degasser. The Agilent ChemStation can be connected to
the system through one GPIB cable at any of the modules (except for the
degasser), preferably at the detector. For more information about connecting
the control module or Agilent ChemStation refer to the respective user
manual.
Parts required Micro Vacuum degasser
Power cable
Interface cable as ordered, see “Cable Overview”on page 70
Preparation Locate bench space
Provide power connections
Unpack the vacuum degasser module

17
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Figure 3 Rear of the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Figure 4 Front of the Micro Vacuum Degasser
5Press in the power switch to turn on the micro vacuum degasser.
NOTE The power switch stays pressed in and a green indicator lamp in the power
switch is on when the micro vacuum degasser is turned on. When the line
power switch stands out and the green light is off, the micro vacuum degasser
is turned off.
Power socket
Fuse holder
Power switch
Serial number
Waste outlet
Status indicator

18
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Flow Connections to the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Flow Connections to the Micro Vacuum
Degasser
1Place solvent cabinet with the bottle(s) on top of the micro vacuum degasser.
2Remove the front cover by pressing the snap fasteners on both sides.
Figure 5 Removing the Front Cover
3If the micro vacuum degasser is not used with an Agilent 1100 Series pump,
connect the waste tube from the accessory kit to the waste outlet and place
into your waste system.
4Put the bottle head assemblies into solvent bottles containing your mobile
phase.
WARNING When working on capillary or tube fittings solvents may leak out.
Please observe appropriate safety procedures (for example, goggles,
safety gloves and protective clothing) as described in the material
handling and safety data sheet supplied by the solvent vendor,
especially when toxic or hazardous solvents are used.
Parts required Solvent cabinet including solvent bottles (filled with solvent) and bottle head assemblies
Micro Vacuum degasser
Solvent outlet tubes
Syringe with adapter
Preparation Install the micro vacuum degasser

19
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Flow Connections to the Micro Vacuum Degasser
5Connect the solvent tubes from the bottle head assemblies to the inlet
connectors A through D (typically the upper connection of the channel) of the
micro vacuum degasser. Use the mounting tool shown in Figure 6 to fix the
tube screw. Fix the tubes in the clips of the micro vacuum degasser.
Figure 6 Mounting Tool
6Connect the outlet tubes to the output ports (typically under connection of the
channel) of the micro vacuum degasser. Use the mounting tool shown in
Figure 6 to fix the tube screw.
7Prime the degasser before first use (see “Priming the Degasser”on page 29).
NOTE Atmospheric gases can diffuse through the tubing and dissolve in the mobile
phase solvents. For best chromatographic results, keep the length of tubing
between the micro vacuum degasser and your pump as short as possible.

20
Installing the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Flow Connections to the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Figure 7 Flow Connections to the Micro Vacuum Degasser
Bottle Head Assembly
Solvent cabinet
Vacuum Degasser
Outlet tube
Inlet tube
Tube clip
Pump head
Inlet adapter
Waste tubing
Outlet capillary to sampler
MCGV
Purge valve