Agilent Technologies 8890 User manual

Agilent 8890 Gas Chromatograph
Maintaining Your Gas Chromatograph (GC)

Maintaining Your GC
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2019
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Manual Part Number
G3540-90015
Edition
First edition, January 2019
Printed in USA
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Wilmington, DE 19808-1610 USA
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CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly
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result in damage to the product or
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WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly
performed or adhered to, could
result in personal injury or death.
Do not proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated conditions
are fully understood and met.

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 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

4Maintaining Your GC
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

Maintaining Your GC 5
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

6Maintaining Your GC
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

Maintaining Your GC 7
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
ASwagelokConnections
Making Swagelok Connections 278
Using a Swagelok Tee 281

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 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.

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 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

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, 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.
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. If using
cryogenic cooling, you will also need to turn off the cryogen supply and safely bleed off any
residual backpressure.

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.
Add an item to the GC status listing as follows:

1 About Maintaining the GC
Viewing Status Data
Maintaining Your GC 15
Select the desired item from the drop-down list,
then touch Add.

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

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. 8890 GC covers
Detector coverPneumatics cover
Injection port cover
Left side cover
Power switch
Pneumatics cover
release button (on
both sides)

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. 8890 GC electronics cover
Electronics cover
Loosen screw