Agilent Technologies Agilent 7890 Series Guide

Agilent Technologies
Agilent 7890 Series
Gas Chromatograph
Maintaining Your GC

Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2014
No part of this manual may be reproduced
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prior agreement and written consent from
Agilent Technologies, Inc. as governed by
United States and international copyright
laws.
Manual Part Number
G3430-90052
Edition
Third edition, September 2014
Second edition, December 2013
First edition, January 2013
Printed in USA
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Wilmington, DE 19808-1610 USA
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Warranty
The material contained in this docu-
ment is provided “as is,” and is sub-
ject to being changed, without notice,
in future editions. Further, to the max-
imum extent permitted by applicable
law, Agilent disclaims all warranties,
either express or implied, with regard
to this manual and any information
contained herein, including but not
limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a par-
ticular purpose. Agilent shall not be
liable for errors or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection
with the furnishing, use, or perfor-
mance of this document or of any
information contained herein. Should
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arate agreement shall control.
Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION 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 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 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
Maintenance Methods for the 7890 Series GC 13
Safety Information 15
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 22
Parts Identification 24
To Change the Hydrogen Sensor Calibration Gas Cylinder 25
Using the removable oven door 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
To Attach a Capillary Column Using SilTite Metal Fittings 40
To Disconnect Fused Silica Tubing From a SilTite Fitting 42
5 Maintaining the Split/Splitless Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Split/Splitless Inlet 44
Exploded Parts View of the Split/Splitless Inlet 47
To Install a Capillary Column with the Split/Splitless Inlet 48
To Change the Septum on the Split/Splitless Inlet 52

4Maintaining Your GC
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the Split/Splitless
Inlet 54
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the Split/Splitless Inlet 56
To Replace the Gold Seal on the Split/Splitless Inlet 59
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Line for the Split/Splitless Inlet 61
To Clean the Split/Splitless Inlet 64
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Split/Splitless Inlet 66
6 Maintaining the Purged Packed Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the Purged Packed Inlet 68
Exploded Parts View of the Purged Packed Inlet 71
To Install a Capillary Column with the Purged Packed Inlet 72
To Change the Septum on the Purged Packed Inlet 77
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Purged Packed Inlet 79
To Install an Adapter on the Purged Packed Inlet 81
To Change the O-Ring on the Purged Packed Inlet 83
To Change the Glass Liner on the Purged Packed Inlet 84
To Install an Insulation Cup on the Purged Packed Inlet 86
To Clean the Purged Packed Inlet 87
To Bakeout Contaminants from the Purged Packed Inlet 89
To Install a Packed Metal Column 90
To Install a Packed Column Adapter on a Detector Fitting 92
To Install a Packed Glass Column 94
To Condition a Packed Column 97
To Install Ferrules on a Packed Metal Column 99
7 Maintaining the COC Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the COC Inlet 102
Exploded Parts View of the COC Inlet 106
To Install a Capillary Column with the COC Inlet 107
To Check the Needle-to-Column Size on the COC Inlet 110
To Change a Septum on the COC Inlet 112
To Install an Insert on the COC Inlet 114
To Clean the COC Inlet 116

Maintaining Your GC 5
To Replace the 7693A Injector Needle Support Guide 118
To Replace the Needle Support Assembly in a 7683B Injector 119
To Replace a Needle in a Syringe 122
To Replace the Fused Silica Needle in a Syringe for the COC Inlet 123
To Bakeout Contaminants from the COC Inlet 125
8 Maintaining the MMI
Consumables and Parts for the MMI 128
Exploded Parts View of the MMI 131
To Install the Column Nut Adapter 132
To Install a Capillary Column with the MMI 133
To Change the Septum on the MMI 137
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Insert Assembly of the MMI 139
To Change the Liner and O-Ring on the MMI 141
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Line for the MMI 144
To Clean the Multimode Inlet 147
To Bakeout Contaminants from the MMI 149
9 Maintaining the PTV Inlet
Consumables and Parts for the PTV Inlet 152
Exploded Parts View of the PTV Inlet 154
To Install a Capillary Column with the PTV Inlet 155
To Clean the Septumless Head on the PTV Inlet 158
To Replace the Septumless Head PTFE Ferrule on the PTV Inlet 161
To Change the Septum on the PTV Inlet 163
To Clean the Septum Seat in the Septum Head Assembly of the PTV
Inlet 165
To Change the Liner on the PTV Inlet 167
To Replace the Inlet Adapter for the PTV Inlet 170
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Line for the PTV Inlet 172
To Bakeout Contaminants from the PTV Inlet 175
10 Maintaining the VI
Consumables and Parts for the VI 178
Exploded Parts View of the VI 180

6Maintaining Your GC
To Install a Capillary Column with the VI 181
To Remove the VI Interface 185
To Clean the VI 187
To Install the VI Interface 189
To Replace the Filter in the Split Vent Line for the VI 190
To Bakeout Contaminants from the VI Inlet 193
11 Maintaining the FID
Consumables and Parts for the FID 196
Exploded Parts Views of the FID 199
Selecting an FID Jet 201
To Attach a Capillary Column Adapter on an Adaptable FID 203
To Install a Capillary Column in the FID 205
To Replace the FID Collector Assembly 209
To Replace an FID Jet 212
To Perform Maintenance on the FID Collector Assembly 216
To Check the FID Leakage Current 224
To Check the FID Baseline 225
To Install the FID Insulation Cup Assembly (Adaptable FID Only) 226
To Install the Optional FID PTFE Chimney Insert 228
To Bakeout the FID 229
12 Maintaining the TCD
Consumables and Parts for the TCD 232
To Install a Capillary Column in the TCD 234
To Install the Optional TCD Capillary Column Adapter 236
To Install a Capillary Column with the Optional TCD Capillary Column
Adapter 237
To Bakeout Contaminants from the TCD 240
13 Maintaining the uECD
Important Safety Information About the uECD 242
Consumables and Parts for the uECD 244
Exploded Parts View of the uECD 246

Maintaining Your GC 7
To Replace the uECD Fused Silica Indented Mixing Liner and Install the
Makeup Gas Adapter 247
To Install a Capillary Column in the uECD 251
To Install the Insulating Cup for the uECD 254
To Bakeout the uECD 256
14 Maintaining the NPD
Consumables and Parts for the NPD 260
Exploded Parts View of the NPD 263
Selecting an NPD Jet 264
To Attach a Capillary Column Adapter on an Adaptable NPD 266
To Install a Capillary Column in the NPD 268
To Replace the NPD Bead Assembly 272
To Maintain the NPD Collector, Ceramic Insulators, and Jet 279
To Check the NPD Leakage Current 285
To Bakeout the NPD 286
15 Maintaining the FPD+
Consumables and Parts for the FPD+290
Exploded Parts View of the FPD+292
To Install a Packed Column Adapter in the FPD+293
To Attach a Capillary Column to the FPD+295
To Cha n g e the FP D +Wavelength Filter 297
To Rem o ve t h e FPD +Cover 300
To Replace the FPD+Ignitor 302
To Ins t all t h e FPD +Cover 304
Cleaning the FPD+Brazement 305
16 Maintaining the G3435A/G3436A FPD
Consumables and Parts for the FPD 308
Exploded Parts View of the FPD 310
To Install a Capillary Column Adapter in the FPD 311
To Attach a Capillary Column to the FPD 313
To Change the FPD Wavelength Filter 315
To Remove the FPD Vent Tube 318

8Maintaining Your GC
To Replace the FPD Ignitor 320
To Install the FPD Vent Tube and Cover 322
17 Maintaining the Aux EPC
Consumables and Parts for the Aux EPC 324
Installing or Replacing Frits in the Aux EPC 326
18 Maintaining the PCM
Consumables and Parts for the PCM 330
Calibrating the PCM Interface 331
Installing or Replacing Frits in the PCM 332
19 Maintaining a Valve
Consumables and Parts for Valves 336
Exploded Parts View of GC Rotary Valves 337
To Replace a Gas Sampling Valve Loop 338
To Align a Rotary Valve Rotor 340
To Replace a Rotary Valve in the Valve Box 341
To Remove the Upper Valve Box 344
To Install the Upper Valve Box 346
20 Swagelok Connections
Making Swagelok Connections 350
Using a Swagelok Tee 354

9
Agilent 7890 Series Gas Chromatograph
Maintaining Your GC
Agilent Technologies
1
About Maintaining the GC
Overview of Maintenance 10
Tools and Materials Required for Maintenance 11
Maintenance Methods for the 7890 Series GC 13
Safety Information 15
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 safety information
one should be aware of before performing a maintenance
task.

10 Maintaining Your GC
1About Maintaining the GC
Overview of Maintenance
This manual details the routine tasks needed to maintain the
7890 Series 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
Where to find a procedure
Included in this manual are chapters on maintaining the
following GC components:
•Capillary Columns
•Split/Splitless Inlet
•Purged Packed Inlet
•COC Inlet
•Multimode Inlet
•PTV Inlet
•Volatiles Inlet (VI)
•FID
•TCD
•uECD
•NPD
•FPD+
•FPD
•Auxiliary EPC
•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

About Maintaining the GC 1
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 the procedure.
Table 1 Tools and materials for GC maintenance
Common tools
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 (5181-8836, 4/pk)*
Driver, nut, 1/4-inch (8710-1561)*
T-20 Torx key (8710-1807) or screwdriver
T-10 Torx key (8710-2140) or screwdriver
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 (8710-0007) or thin needle-nose pliers (8710-0004)
Needle-nose pliers
ESD wrist strap (for installing new components)
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 (9301-0985) contains appropriate
brushes for cleaning detectors and inlets
Cleaning brushes—(8710-1346) For cleaning split/splitless inlet split vent
fitting, FID and collectors

12 Maintaining Your GC
1About Maintaining the GC
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)
Gloves, clean, lint-free, nylon (large: 8650-0030, small: 8650-0029) (for handling
contamination-sensitive parts)
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 (continued)

About Maintaining the GC 1
Maintaining Your GC 13
Maintenance Methods for the 7890 Series GC
Before most maintenance procedures, the GC must be made
ready. Agilent recommends that you create and store the
following maintenance methods into the GC. The methods
below will:
•Prevent damage to the instrument (electronics, columns,
etc.)
•Avoid injury to the user (burns, shocks, etc.)
•Allow you to perform maintenance on specific areas while
leaving the rest of the GC components at operating
temperature
For information regarding programming, saving, and loading
methods, refer to the 7890 Series Advanced User Guide or
your data system help.
General GC Maintenance Method
Create this method for instrument column maintenance,
detector maintenance, and general GC maintenance tasks.
•Set the oven temperature to 35 °C. This allows the oven
fan to assist cooling.
•Set all inlet temperatures to 35 °C and set inlet gas
pressures to 0.0.
•If performing column maintenance, remember to wait
for the oven and column to cool down before turning
off column carrier gas flow at the source. Also
remember to cap both ends of the column to keep air
out once it is removed.
•If you are not performing column maintenance, keep
inert carrier gas (helium or nitrogen) flowing to protect
the column.
•Set all detector temperatures to 35 °C.
•If performing FPD maintenance, turn off the GC and
unplug the power cord.
•Some detectors (FID, NPD) use high voltages. For these
detectors, turn the electrometer Off to disable the high
voltage.
NOTE
Inlets and detectors at operating temperature may require 12 hours or
longer to reach the maintenance method setpoints below.

14 Maintaining Your GC
1About Maintaining the GC
•The filament in the TCD will be damaged if exposed to
air while hot. To protect the filament, turn it Off.
•Set all detector flows to Off.
Once the zones reach < 70 °C, you can perform general GC
maintenance.
Inlet Maintenance Method
This method prepares the inlet for maintenance while
leaving the detector at operating temperature.
•Set the oven temperature to 35 °C. This allows the oven
fan to assist cooling.
•Set all inlet temperatures to Off and set inlet gas
pressures to 0.0.
•If performing column maintenance, remember to wait
for the oven and column to cool down before turning
off column carrier gas flow at the source. Also
remember to cap both ends of the column to keep air
out once it is removed.
•If you are not performing column maintenance, keep
inert carrier gas (helium or nitrogen) flowing to protect
the column.
•Maintain all temperature setpoints for installed detectors,
if desired.
•The filament in the TCD will be damaged if exposed to
air while hot. To protect the filament, turn it Off.
Once the zones reach < 70 °C, you can perform general GC
maintenance.
WARNING
Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to
cause burns. If the oven, inlet, or detector is hot, wear
heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.
WARNING
Be careful! The oven, inlet, and/or detector may be hot enough to
cause burns. If the oven, inlet, or detector is hot, wear
heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.

About Maintaining the GC 1
Maintaining Your GC 15
Safety Information
Before performing a maintenance task, read the important
safety and regulatory information found in the 7890 Series
Safety and Regulatory Information book.

16 Maintaining Your GC
1About Maintaining the 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.

17
Agilent 7890 Series Gas Chromatograph
Maintaining Your GC
Agilent Technologies
2
Removing 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.

18 Maintaining Your GC
2Removing Covers
To Remove the Detector Top Cover
This cover protects the detectors, valve box, and valve
assembly. To remove the detector top cover:
1Raise it to a vertical position
2Lift the right side and disengage the pin on the lower left
side.
To replace the cover, make certain that the slot in the
bushing (lower right corner) is vertical and that the bushing
is fully seated. Installation is then the reverse of removal.
CAUTION
Do not force the cover, either when installing it or closing it. This
could break the plastic parts.

Removing Covers 2
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.
2Two large buttons on each side of the GC secure the
cover to the detector frame. Press both buttons and lift
the cover off.

20 Maintaining Your GC
2Removing Covers
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.
Without FPD installed:
1Raise or remove the detector top cover.
2Loosen the screw on the left side of the electronics cover.
3Raise the cover to the vertical position.
With FPD installed:
1Raise or remove the detector top cover.
2Loosen the screw on the left side of the electronics cover.
3Loosen the two thumbscrews in the tray below the PMT,
and remove the two screws in the back of the tray.
4Remove the tray from the electronics cover.
5Raise the cover to the vertical position.
CAUTION
Raising the electronics cover exposes the GC electronics.