Agilent Technologies PL-GPC 220 User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent PL-GPC 220
Integrated HT-GPC/SEC
System
User Manual
PL-GPC 220 User Manual

PL-GPC 220 User Manual
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2012
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States and international copyright laws.
Manual Part Number
G7820-90220
Edition
09/2012
Printed in Germany
Agilent Technologies
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76337 Waldbronn
This product may be used as a com-
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Otherwise, it is intended only for gen-
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stood and met.

PL-GPC 220 User Manual 3
In This Guide...
In This Guide...
This manual contains information on the Agilent PL-GPC 220 Integrated
HT-GPC/SEC System (G7820A)
1 Introduction to PL-GPC 220
This chapter gives an instrument overview and an introduction to the function
of the PL-GPC 220.
2 Site Requirements and Specifications
This chapter provides information on environmental requirements, physical
and performance specifications.
3 Unpacking the Instrument
This chapter gives information on how to unpack your PL-GPC 220.
4 Using the Module
This chapter provides information on how to set up the instrument for an
analysis and explains the basic settings.
5 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
This chapter gives an overview about the troubleshooting and diagnostic
features.
6 Error Information
This chapter describes the meaning of error messages, and provides
information on probable causes and suggested actions how to recover from
error conditions.
7 Maintenance
This chapter provides general information on maintenance of the PL-GPC 220.

4PL-GPC 220 User Manual
In This Guide...
8 Parts for Maintenance
This chapter provides information on parts for maintenance.
9 Appendix
This chapter provides addition information on safety, legal and web.

PL-GPC 220 User Manual 5
Contents
Contents
1 Introduction to PL-GPC 220 7
Introduction 8
System Description and General Operation 9
2 Site Requirements and Specifications 19
Site Requirements 20
Physical Specifications 23
Performance Specifications 24
3 Unpacking the Instrument 25
Unpacking the Instrument 26
4 Using the Module 29
The Graphical User Interface 30
Setting Up the PL-GPC 220 45
Running Samples on the PL-GPC 220 53
5 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics 55
Diagnostics 56
General Troubleshooting Guide 58
6 Error Information 63
Errors 64
7 Maintenance 69
Introduction 70
Warnings and Cautions 71
Cleaning 73
Decontamination 74
Testing Overtemperature Protection Systems 75
Testing Vapor Sensors 81

6PL-GPC 220 User Manual
Contents
Testing Solvent Level Sensors 86
Testing Oven Door Interlock 88
Laser Interlock Switch 89
Degasser Test 90
Back Pressure Regulator (BPR) 91
Differential Refractive Index Detector 93
Autosampler 97
8 Parts for Maintenance 103
Parts List 104
Pump Spares 105
9 Appendix 107
General Safety Information 108
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 113
Radio Interference 114
Sound Emission 115
Agilent Technologies on Internet 116

7
PL-GPC 220 User Manual
Agilent Technologies
1
Introduction to PL-GPC 220
Introduction 8
System Description and General Operation 9
Instrument Overview 9
Solvent Module 11
Column Oven 13
PL-GPC 220 Autosampler 15
Injection Sequence 17
This chapter gives an instrument overview and an introduction to the function
of the PL-GPC 220.

8PL-GPC 220 User Manual
1Introduction to PL-GPC 220
Introduction
Introduction
The Agilent PL-GPC 220 Integrated HT GPC/SEC System is a fully automated
chromatograph designed specifically for Gel Permeation Chromatography
(GPC) / Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). The instrument features a
40-position carousel, high sensitivity refractive index detector and a reliable
isocratic solvent delivery system housed uniquely in a temperature controlled
enclosure. The open architecture of the column oven enables multi-detection
options both inside and outside of the oven. Although the system was designed
for prolonged high temperature operation, the system delivers an equal level
of performance across the whole of its temperature operating range (30 –
220 °C).
Figure 1 Front View of the Agilent PL-GPC 220 System

PL-GPC 220 User Manual 9
Introduction to PL-GPC 220 1
System Description and General Operation
System Description and General Operation
Instrument Overview
Figure 2 Overview (modules)
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1 Control drawer
2Autosampler
3 Main oven module
4 Solvent delivery module
5Pump
6 Solvent degasser

10 PL-GPC 220 User Manual
1Introduction to PL-GPC 220
System Description and General Operation
Figure 3 Overview (display and control elements)
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'
(
)
*
+
,
1 Power switches
2 Oven over-temperature display and control
3 Autosampler over-temperature display and control
4 Temperature and RI display
5 Oven and laser safety interlock switches
6 Status indicator
7Powerindicators

PL-GPC 220 User Manual 11
Introduction to PL-GPC 220 1
System Description and General Operation
Solvent Module
Figure 4 PL-GPC 220 Solvent Module
The top section of the solvent module is temperature controlled to 32 °C,
preventing solvents such as 1,2,4–trichlorobenzene and dimethyl sulfoxide
freezing should the laboratory temperature fall below 15 °C. The warm air
from the top solvent section is then circulated across the pump head and
degasser and ventilated from the rear of the unit.
A vapor sensor located at the rear of the bottom section of the solvent module
samples the air before it is ventilated from the unit.
The top section of the solvent module will accommodate one of the following
reservoirs:
•2x2Lbottles(seeFigure 4 on page 11)
•1 x 13 L stainless steel tank (see Figure 5 on page 12).
In the case of this last option, the tank can be vacuum-filled with fresh
eluent and the waste is plumbed directly out through the back of the
module and piped to an external container.

12 PL-GPC 220 User Manual
1Introduction to PL-GPC 220
System Description and General Operation
Figure 5 Stainless steel tank
All the optional vessels are fitted with float switch, which trigger an audible
alarm should the eluent container run too low or the waste container get too
full. No action by the instrument will take place at this point and, therefore, it
is advisable to check the levels in the solvent vessels daily and to set the
minimum pressure slightly above zero, so that if the pump is starved of
solvent, the low minimum pressure alarm will be activated and cause the
system to default to the STANDBY mode.
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PL-GPC 220 User Manual 13
Introduction to PL-GPC 220 1
System Description and General Operation
Column Oven
Figure 6 Standard Oven Configuration
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'
(
)
*
+
,
1 Oven Fan with Heaters
2 Temperature Sensors
3 Differential Refractive Index Detector
4 Sample Needle Assembly
5 Column Mounts
6InjectionValve
7 Vapour Sensor

14 PL-GPC 220 User Manual
1Introduction to PL-GPC 220
System Description and General Operation
The low split line of the oven allows easy access to the oven facilitating column
exchange and routine maintenance. The temperature within the oven is
controlled by eight active heaters; 3 are built into the base of the oven and 4 in
the oven lid, the eighth heater is mounted directly in front of the fan and it is
this heater that provides the fine control.
Figure 7 on page 14 illustrates the location of the heaters (red lines) in the
oven construction and the airflow around the heaters (black arrows).
Figure 7 PL-GPC 220 Oven Construction

PL-GPC 220 User Manual 15
Introduction to PL-GPC 220 1
System Description and General Operation
PL-GPC 220 Autosampler
The carousel will accommodate 40 x 2 mL sample vials, 39 of these (positions
1 to 39 ) are used for sample injection. The 40 th or zero vial is dedicated as
the “index” vial and must remain on the carousel at all times. This index vial is
used during the initialization process of the autosampler and is used as a
waste container should an injection sequence malfunction. In this case, the
contents of the loop and injection system will be emptied into this index vial
to circumvent blockage due to precipitation of the polymer should the
instrument cool down. It is therefore important to keep an empty vial fitted
with a clean, shiny cap in the zero position of the carousel at all times.
Each of the vials is contained in an individual brass cup that glides across the
heated track of the carousel. Two heaters control the temperature of the
carousel; each can be independently set providing two zones of heating on the
carousel.

16 PL-GPC 220 User Manual
1Introduction to PL-GPC 220
System Description and General Operation
Figure 8 Temperature controlled zones in the carousel
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PL-GPC 220 User Manual 17
Introduction to PL-GPC 220 1
System Description and General Operation
Injection Sequence
1Default condition prior to injection:
•Injection valve in the Inject position
•Vial in carousel
•Syringe at mid point
2Sample loaded
•Valve switched to load position
•Vial lifted to needle
•Syringe sucks 800 μL from the vial to fill the loop and partially fills the
overflow loop
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18 PL-GPC 220 User Manual
1Introduction to PL-GPC 220
System Description and General Operation
3Sample injected
•Sample injected
•Excess sample from overflow loop returned to the vial
•Vial returned to the carousel
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19
PL-GPC 220 User Manual
Agilent Technologies
2
Site Requirements and Specifications
Site Requirements 20
Physical Specifications 23
Performance Specifications 24
This chapter provides information on environmental requirements, physical and
performance specifications.

20 PL-GPC 220 User Manual
2Site Requirements and Specifications
Site Requirements
Site Requirements
Power Considerations
The instrument power supply has wide ranging capability. It accepts any line
voltage in the range described in Physical Specifications. Consequently there
is no voltage selector in the rear of the module.
Two power outlets are required; one for the main oven unit and one for the
solvent module.
For countries where 230 V will have to be installed the main power leads are
provided with NEMA-15 type plugs.
The mains supply should be fitted with an RCCB (Residual Current operated
Circuit-Breaker).
WARNING
Hazard of electrical shock or damage of your instrumentation
can result, if the devices are connected to a line voltage higher than specified.
➔Connect your instrument to the specified line voltage only.
CAUTION
Inaccessible power plug.
In case of emergency it must be possible to disconnect the instrument from the power
line at any time.
➔Make sure the power connector of the instrument can be easily reached and
unplugged.
➔Provide sufficient space behind the power socket of the instrument to unplug the
cable.