Agilent Technologies 8860 User manual

Agilent 8860 Gas Chromatograph
Maintaining Your Gas Chromatograph (GC)

Maintaining Your GC
Notices
© Agilent Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
2019
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Manual Part Number
G2790-90015
Edition
Second edition, July 2019
First edition, January 2019
Printed in USA
Agilent Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
412 Ying Lun Road
Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone
Shanghai 200131 P.R. China
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hazard. It calls attention to an
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the like that, if not correctly
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Maintaining Your GC 3
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 15
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 37
To Reverse a Column and Bakeout Contaminants 38
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet 42
Exploded Parts View of the Split/Splitless Inlet 45
To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet 46
To Change the Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet 50
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the Split/Splitless Inlet 52
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the Split/Splitless Inlet 54
To Replace the Gold Seal on the Split/Splitless Inlet 57

4Maintaining Your GC
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Trap for the Split/Splitless Inlet 59
To Clean the Split/Splitless Inlet 61
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet 63
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet 66
Exploded Parts View of the Purged Packed Inlet 69
To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet 70
To Change the Septum on the Purged Packed Inlet 74
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Purged Packed Inlet 76
To Install an Adapter on the Purged Packed Inlet 78
To Change the O-Ring on the Purged Packed Inlet 79
To Change the Glass Liner on the Purged Packed Inlet 80
To Clean the Purged Packed Inlet 82
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Purged Packed Inlet 84
To Install a Packed Metal Column 85
To Install a Packed Column Adapter onto a Detector 88
To Install a Packed Glass Column 90
To Condition a Packed Column 92
To Install Ferrules on a Packed Metal Column 93
7 Maintaining the Packed Column Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Packed Column Inlet 96
Exploded Parts View of the Packed Column Inlet 98
To Change the Septum on the Packed Column Inlet 99
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Packed Column Inlet 101
To Install an Adapter on the Packed Column Inlet 103
To Change the O-Ring on the Packed Column Inlet 104
To Change the Glass Liner on the Packed Column Inlet 105
To Install an Insulation Cup on the Packed Column Inlet 107
To Clean the Packed Column Inlet 108
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Packed Column Inlet 110
To Install a Packed Metal Column 111

Maintaining Your GC 5
To Install a Packed Column Adapter on a Detector Fitting 113
To Install a Packed Glass Column 115
To Condition a Packed Column 117
To Install Ferrules on a Packed Metal Column 118
8 Maintaining the COC Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Cool On-Column Inlet 120
Exploded Parts View of the Cool On-Column Inlet 123
To Install a Capillary Column with the Cool On-Column Inlet 124
To Check the Needle-to-Column Size on the COC Inlet 127
To Change a Septum on the COC Inlet 128
To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet 130
To Clean the COC Inlet 132
To Replace the 7693A Injector Needle Support Guide 134
To Replace a Needle in a Syringe 135
To Replace the Fused Silica Needle in a Syringe for the COC Inlet 136
To Bakeout Contaminants from the COC Inlet 137
9 Maintaining the FID
Consumables and Parts for the FID 140
Exploded Parts Views of the Flame Ionization Detector 142
To Install a Capillary Column in the FID 144
To Replace an FID Jet 147
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly 150
To Check the FID Leakage Current 158
To Check the FID Baseline 159
To Install the Optional FID PTFE Chimney Insert 160
To Bakeout the FID 161
10 Maintaining the TCD
Consumables and Parts for the Thermal Conductivity Detector 164
To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD 166
To Bakeout Contaminants from the TCD 169

6Maintaining Your GC
11 Maintaining the ECD
Important Safety Information About the ECD 172
Consumables and Parts for the ECD 174
Exploded Parts View of the Electron Capture Detector 176
To Replace the ECD Fused Silica Indented Mixing Liner and Install the Makeup Gas
Adapter 177
To Install a Capillary Column in the ECD 180
To Bakeout the ECD 182
12 Maintaining the NPD
Consumables and Parts for the NPD 186
Exploded Parts View of the Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detector 188
To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD 189
To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly 192
To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet 196
To Check the NPD Leakage Current 201
To Bakeout the NPD 202
13 Maintaining the FPD+
Consumables and Parts for the FPD+ 204
Exploded Parts View of the Flame Photometric Detector Plus 206
To Install a Capillary Column to the FPD+ 207
To Change the FPD+ Wavelength Filter 209
To Remove the FPD+ Cover 212
To Replace the FPD+ Ignitor 213
To Install the FPD+ Cover 215
Cleaning the FPD+ Brazement 216
14 Maintaining EPC Modules
Consumables and Parts for the Aux EPC 218
Installing or Replacing Frits in the Aux EPC 220
Consumables and Parts for the PCM 222
Calibrating the PCM Interface 223
Installing or Replacing Frits in the PCM 224

Maintaining Your GC 7
15 Maintaining a Valve
Consumables and Parts for Valves 228
Exploded Parts View of GC Rotary Valves 229
To Replace a Gas Sampling Valve Loop 230
To Align a Rotary Valve Rotor 232
To Replace a Rotary Valve in the Valve Box 233
To Remove the Upper Valve Box 236
To Install the Upper Valve Box 237
ASwagelokConnections
Making Swagelok Connections 240
Using a Swagelok Tee 243

8Maintaining Your GC

Maintaining Your GC 9
1About 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 15
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.

1 About Maintaining the GC
Overview of Maintenance
10 Maintaining Your GC
Overview of Maintenance
This manual details the routine tasks needed to maintain the Agilent 8860 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 browser interface
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)
•Packed Column Inlet (PCI)
•Cool On-Column Inlet (COC)
•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

1 About Maintaining the GC
Tools and Materials Required for Maintenance
Maintaining Your GC 11
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
thin needle-nose pliers
8710-0007
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
inlets
9301-0985
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)

1 About Maintaining the GC
Tools and Materials Required for Maintenance
12 Maintaining Your GC
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
Table 1 Tools and materials for GC maintenance
Common tools Part number

1 About Maintaining the GC
Preparing for Maintenance
Maintaining Your GC 13
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, open the browser
interface. From the browser interface, go to Maintenance > Instrument > Perform Maintenance
> Maintenance Mode > Start Maintenance. Follow the prompts. To exit maintenance mode
and restore the previous GC settings, click 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.
WARNING
If you choose to perform maintenance without using the GC's built-in features, first cool all
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.

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

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

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

Maintaining Your GC 17
2Removing 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.

2RemovingCovers
To Remove the Detector Top Cover
18 Maintaining Your GC
To Remove the Detector Top Cover
This cover protects the detectors, valve box, and valve assembly. To remove the detector top
cover:
1Turn off the GC and unplug the power cord.
2Remove 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.
3When 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.
WARNING
Be careful! With the power switch on, potentially dangerous voltages also exist:
• All electronics boards in the instrument.
•Theinternalwiresandcablesconnected 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.
CAUTION
Do not force the cover, either when installing it or closing it. This could break the plastic
parts.
Figure 2. 8860 GC covers
Detector cover
Electronics cover
Pneumatics cover
Injection
port cover

2RemovingCovers
To Remove the Pneumatics Cover
Maintaining Your GC 19
To Remove the Pneumatics Cover
The pneumatics cover protects the flow manifolds in the back top of the GC.
1Disconnect any vent tubing connected to the split and septum purge vents.
2Press the buttons located on each side of the pneumatics cover and lift up to remove it
from the GC.

2RemovingCovers
To Remove the Electronics Cover
20 Maintaining Your GC
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.
WARNING
Be careful! With the power switch on, potentially dangerous voltages also exist:
• All electronics boards in the instrument.
•Theinternalwiresandcablesconnected 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.
CAUTION
Raising the electronics cover exposes the GC electronics.
Without FPD+ installed:
1Turn off the GC and unplug the power cord.
2Raise or remove the detector top cover.
3Loosen the captive screws on the right side cover, slide the cover backwards, then remove.
4Loosen the captive screw located on the left side of the electronics cover.
5Reach 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:
1Turn off the GC and unplug the power cord.
2Raise or remove the detector top cover.
Figure 3. 8860 GC electronics cover
Electronics cover
Loosen screw