Agilent Technologies G3183B Operating instructions

Agilent Technologies
Agilent G3183B
Three-Way Splitter Kit
Installation and Operation
Guide

2 Installation and Operation Guide
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006
No part of this manual may be reproduced in
any form or by any means (including elec-
tronic storage and retrieval or translation
into a foreign language) without prior agree-
ment and written consent from Agilent
Technologies, Inc. as governed by United
States and international copyright laws.
Manual Part Number
G3183-90120
Supercedes G3183-90110
Edition
First edition, April 2006
Printed in USA
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
2850 Centerville Road
Wilmington, DE 19808-1610 USA
Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a haz-
ard. It calls attention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the like
that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage
to the product or loss of important
data. Do not proceed beyond a
CAUTION notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and
met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly per-
formed or adhered to, could result
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and
met.
Acknowledgement
Microsoft® is a U.S. registered trademark
of the Microsoft Corporation.

Installation and Operation Guide 3
In this Guide. . .
This Installation and Operation Guide contains information for installing and
using an effluent splitter on an Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph (GC). The
G3183B splitter is intended for use with capillary columns and uses makeup
gas to maintain adequate flows throughout the system.
1 Introduction
This chapter describes how the splitter works, the GC and software
requirements of the system and the contents of the installation kit.
2 Hardware Installation
See this chapter for a detailed procedure for installing the splitter hardware
and connecting the makeup gas supply.
3 Splitter Configurations
The split ratio (how the column effluent divides among the three detectors) is
governed by three restrictors, which are lengths of deactivated fused silica
tubing. This chapter presents a set of precalculated “typical” configurations. If
desired, you can create a custom configuration to meet specific needs. The
chapter describes a set of software tools, included in the kit, to assist you in
designing such configurations. Finally, installation of the column and
restrictors is covered.
4Operation
This chapter contains a worked-out custom configuration, plus a few special
topics.

4 Installation and Operation Guide

Installation and Operation Guide 5
Contents
1 Introduction
Overview 8
How It Works 9
Details 10
Calculation of chromatographic parameters 11
Gas Requirements 12
Carrier gas 12
Makeup gas 12
GC Requirements 12
Other Requirements 12
Parts Supplied 13
Part Identification 14
Parts Not Supplied 15
Tools Required 15
Pressure Units 16
Gauge pressure (psig) 16
Absolute pressure (psia) 16
Atmospheric pressure 16
Conversion 16
2 Installation
Prepare the GC 18
Install the Column Clips 20
Install the Bracket and Splitter 21
Connect the Makeup Gas Supply 24
To supply the makeup gas from a Pneumatic Control Module (PCM) 24
To supply the makeup gas from an Auxiliary Pressure controller 24

6 Installation and Operation Guide
3 Splitter Configurations
Typical Configurations 26
Splitting to an MSD 28
Custom Configurations 29
Restrictor id and length 32
Maximum and minimum flows 33
Column outlet pressure 34
Inlet pressure 34
Restrictor and Column Installation 35
Install the column 35
Connect the splitter 35
Disconnect tubing from the splitter 36
4Operation
An Example 40
Column flow 40
Select restrictors 42
Calculate column flow 43
Calculate MSD restrictor flow 44
Calculate FPD restrictor flow 45
Calculate ECD restrictor flow 46
Changing Columns Without Venting the MSD 47
Backflushing the Column 48
Other Uses for Three-Way Splitter Setup 50
Three-way splitter 50
Two-way splitter 50
Two columns in/Two detectors out 51
Two different columns in/Two detectors out 52

7
Agilent G3183B Splitter Kit
Installation and Operation Guide
Agilent Technologies
1
Introduction
Overview 8
How It Works 9
Details 10
Calculation of chromatographic parameters 11
Gas Requirements 12
Carrier gas 12
Makeup gas 12
GC Requirements 12
Other Requirements 12
Parts Supplied 13
Part Identification 14
Parts Not Supplied 15
Tools Required 15
This manual covers the installation and operation of the G3183B effluent
splitter with makeup kit on the Agilent 6890 series gas chromatograph (GC).

8 Installation and Operation Guide
1Introduction
Overview
Splitter installation is done in three steps:
1Hardware installation. This gets the hardware installed and the gas flows
connected.
2Restrictor configuration. You can choose to use a typical, precalculated
configuration or create a custom one using software tools supplied on a CD.
3Restrictor and column installation. Using the results of step 2, cut the
appropriate lengths of the appropriate diameter tubing for the restrictors.
Install the restrictors and the analytical column.

Introduction 1
Installation and Operation Guide 9
How It Works
The splitter divides the effluent from a column among three different
detectors. The detectors can be operating at different pressures, that is, any
mix of the following can be used:
• Atmospheric pressure
FID (flame ionization detector)
TCD (thermal conductivity detector)
NPD (nitrogen phosphorus detector)
ECD (electron capture detector)
FPD (flame photometric detector)
• Below atmospheric pressure
MSD (mass selective detector)
• Above atmospheric pressure
AED (atomic emission detector)
The split ratio is determined by the length and diameter of tubing connecting
the splitter to the detectors. Tubing dimensions may be determined from
Table 2 on page 26 in this manual or from a spreadsheet calculator that is
included for calculating tubing dimensions for special situations.
Figure 1 shows the plumbing configuration for the G3183B splitter.
Figure 1 Splitter plumbing
Inlet Aux EPC Det 1 Det 2
MSD
Column
GC oven
Splitter
Restrictor 1
Restrictor 2
Restrictor 3

10 Installation and Operation Guide
1Introduction
The column flow mixes with the makeup flow in the splitter. This mixture then
flows through lengths of uncoated, deactivated, fused-silica tubing to each
detector. These tubes act as flow restrictors. While the flows through the
restrictors change with oven temperature, the ratio of the flows at any
temperature is constant.
Details
The G3183B kit addresses several limitations of previous approaches to
splitting column effluent between three detectors:
Metal ferrules
The splitter uses metal column ferrules, which eliminate air leakage into the
sample stream. Unlike polyimide, metal ferrules do not loosen upon thermal
cycling of the oven. They also do not outgas contaminants or shed particles
(like graphite) that can result in chromatographic problems.
Microfluidic plate
The splitting hardware is based on microfluidic plate technology. This allows
very low dead volume connections between the column end and the three
detector restrictor tubes. The thin metal plate has fast thermal response and is
mounted solidly on the oven wall for ease of use. The interior plate surfaces
are deactivated to prevent adsorption of active compounds.
Constant pressure operation
The splitter uses a source of makeup gas supplied by electronic pneumatics
control (EPC). This maintains the splitter at a known and constant pressure.
Constant pressure allows easier splitting to vacuum detectors like the MSD. It
simplifies choice of splitter parameters, allowing all aspects of the
chromatographic setup to be calculated. Constant pressure makeup allows the
column to be run in constant flow mode while still maintaining a constant
split ratio between three detectors of different operating pressures such as the
FPD and the MSD. Because the EPC pressure can be time programmed, useful
operations like backflushing unwanted heavy materials from the column and
changing columns in MSD systems without venting are possible.
Other uses
Other useful configurations can be set up as described in Chapter 4.

Introduction 1
Installation and Operation Guide 11
Calculation of chromatographic parameters
Because the pressure at the split point is known and constant, the
chromatographic parameters can be calculated before setup. This is especially
useful with GC/MSD setups, where there are limitations on the flow rates of
carrier gas allowed into the MSD. If a method that was originally developed on
an MSD is converted to a splitter setup, a new inlet pressure can be calculated
to produce retention times very similar to the original method.

12 Installation and Operation Guide
1Introduction
Gas Requirements
Carrier gas
The choice of carrier gas is dictated by the chromatographic requirements.
Hydrogen and helium are the most common choices for capillary columns. See
your GC documentation and other sources for additional carrier gas
information.
Makeup gas
The makeup gas is usually the same as the carrier gas, with one very
important exception. Do not use hydrogen or any other flammable gas as the
makeup gas, regardless of the carrier gas choice.
The splitter protects the entrance to the MSD when the column is
disconnected by blanketing the connection with makeup gas. This gas flows
into the column oven. Hydrogen or other flammable gas would present a
serious fire and explosion hazard if allowed to flow into the oven.
GC Requirements
The splitter mounts in an Agilent 6890 series GC.
The splitter requires an electronically controlled pressure source such as the
Three Channel Pressure controller (6890 option 301 or 308) or a Pneumatics
Control Module (PCM).
Other Requirements
The calculator requires Microsoft® Excel 97 (or later), which is not supplied
with this kit.
WARNING Hydrogen is both a fire and explosion hazard when mixed with air. For this reason,
hydrogen must not be used as the makeup gas.

Introduction 1
Installation and Operation Guide 13
Parts Supplied
Parts in the G3183B kit are listed in Table 1.
Tab le 1 Parts supplied
Part number Description Quantity
G1530-01340 Capillary column spring clips 4
G2855-60140 Oven bracket assembly 1
G2855-60560 T-screw oven bracket retainer 2
0515-0374 Screw, M3 × 10 mm 7
G3183-60500 Three-way splitter with makeup gas assembly 1
G2855-80022 Manual and calculator CD 1
G3183-90120 Manual, G3183B
0100-0241 Union, 1/8-inch to 1/16-inch reducing 1
0100-2354 Tubing, stainless steel, 1/16-inch od × 0.01-inch id, 1 m 1
G1580-00130 Valve box blanking plate 1
0100-0124 Union, stainless steel, 1/16-inch tubing 1
G2855-60150 Supplies and spares kit 1

14 Installation and Operation Guide
1Introduction
Part Identification
Most of the kit parts are easily recognized. The unique ones are identified in
Figure 2.
Figure 2 Part identification
Capillary column
spring clips
Valve box
Oven bracket
Three-way splitter
blanking plate
assembly
with makeup gas
assembly
This assembly is shipped in a
plastic bag to keep contaminants
out of the tubing and the fittings.
Do not open the bag until you are
ready to install the splitter.

Introduction 1
Installation and Operation Guide 15
Parts Not Supplied
Brown-dot frit (19231-60610)
Tools Required
Side cutter, large
Screwdrivers, Phillips

16 Installation and Operation Guide
1Introduction
Pressure Units
All pressure figures in this manual are given in pounds per square inch.
Gauge pressure (psig)
This is the pressure as measured by most pressure gauge. It is the pressure in
excess of atmospheric pressure.
Absolute pressure (psia)
This is the actual pressure relative to vacuum. It is the sum of the gauge
pressure and the atmospheric pressure.
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure at sea level = 14.696 psia = 101.32 kPa
Conversion
kPa = psi × 6.8947

17
Agilent G3183B Splitter Kit
Installation and Operation Guide
Agilent Technologies
2
Installation
Prepare the GC 18
Install the Column Clips 20
Install the Bracket and Splitter 21
Connect the Makeup Gas Supply 24
This chapter describes the procedure for installing the splitter hardware and
connecting the makeup gas supply.

18 Installation and Operation Guide
2Installation
Prepare the GC
1Raise the GC top cover to expose the oven lid.
2Remove the valve box cutout using a side cutter (Figure 3).
WARNING Turn the power off and disconnect the power cord before proceeding.
Figure 3 Remove the valve box cutout
Cut tabs
around edges
and remove

Installation 2
Installation and Operation Guide 19
3This exposes a layer of soft insulation. Remove it to expose the hard oven
insulation. Remove the precut insulation piece at the location shown in
Figure 4.
4Replace the soft insulation. Install the valve box blanking plate, using one
screw at the front and one at the rear to secure it. See Figure 5.
Figure 4 Remove the insulation cutout
Figure 5 Install valve box blanking plate
Remove
this
cutout
Two screws

20 Installation and Operation Guide
2Installation
Install the Column Clips
Install the four column clips on the oven shroud (Figure 6).
Figure 6 Oven clips
Oven
shroud
Clip
(1 of 4)