Thermo Scientific TRACE GC Ultra Programming manual

Thermo Scientific
TRACE GC Ultra
Gas Chromatograph
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Manual
PN 31709180, Revision March 2011
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TRACE™ GC Ultra Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual
March 2011 Edition “Original Instructions”
Part Number 317 091 80
© 2007-2010 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved.
Printed in Italy
Published by Thermo Fisher Scientific S.p.A., Strada Rivoltana, 20090 Rodano - Milan - Italy
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Printing History: First Edition, released June 1998.
Second Edition, released November 1998.
Third Edition, released June 1999.
Fourth Edition, released June 2001
Fifth Edition, released January 2002
Sixth Edition, released May 2003
Seventh Edition, released April 2004
Eight Edition, released November 2004
Ninth Edition, released September 2005
Tenth Edition, released May 2006
Eleventh Edition, released January 2007
Twelfth Edition, released May 2007
Thirteenth Edition, released July 2008
Fourteenth Edition, released April 2009
Fifteenth Edition, released November 2009
Sixteenth Edition, released May 2010
Seventeenth Edition, released March 2011
Disclaimer
Technical Information contained in this publication is for reference purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Every effort has
been made to supply complete and accurate information; however, Thermo Fisher Scientific assumes no responsibility and will not be liable
for any errors, omissions, damage, or loss that might result from any use of this manual or the information contained therein (even if this
information is properly followed and problems still arise).
This publication is not part of the Agreement of Sale between Thermo Fisher Scientific and the purchaser of a TRACE™ GC Ultra system. In
the event of any conflict between the provisions of this document and those contained in Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Terms and Conditions,
the provisions of the Terms and Conditions shall govern.
Reference to System Configurations and Specifications supercede all previous information and are subject to change without notice.
Trademarks
TRACE™ GC Ultra is a trademark of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and its subsidiaries. Other brand and product names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual iii
Declaration
Manufacturer: Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific is the manufacturer of the instrument described in this
manual and, as such, is responsible for the instrument safety, reliability and
performance only if:
• installation
• re-calibration
• changes and repairs
have been carried out by authorized personnel and if:
• the local installation complies with local law regulations
• the instrument is used according to the instructions provided and if its opera-
tion is only entrusted to qualified trained personnel
Thermo Fisher Scientific is not liable for any damages derived from the
non-compliance with the aforementioned recommendations.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual v
Contents
About This Manual.................................................................................................................................xi
Overview...................................................................................................................................xi
Conventions Used in This Manual..........................................................................................xiii
Instrument Markings and Symbols .........................................................................................xvi
Using Hydrogen .....................................................................................................................xvii
Using the Hydrogen Sensor .....................................................................................xviii
Chapter 1
Preventive Maintenance.................................................................................................................... 21
Suggested Maintenance Schedule ............................................................................................ 22
Chapter 2
Maintaining a Split/Splitless Injector ............................................................................................... 25
Split/Splitless Injector .............................................................................................................. 26
Split/Splitless Injector Maintenance ........................................................................................ 28
When replacing the septum......................................................................................... 28
When cleaning or replacing the liner .......................................................................... 28
If the glass liner breaks inside the injector.................................................................. 29
When replacing the split line tubing ........................................................................... 29
Chapter 3
Maintaining a Large Volume Splitless Injector ............................................................................... 53
Large Volume Splitless Injector...............................................................................................54
Large Volume Splitless Injector Maintenance......................................................................... 56
When replacing the septum......................................................................................... 56
When cleaning or replacing the liner .......................................................................... 56
If the glass liner breaks inside the injector.................................................................. 57
When replacing the split line tubing ........................................................................... 57
Chapter 4
Maintaining a Cold On-Column Injector for Standard Automatic Injections ............................... 79
Automated Operation Cold On-Column Injector..................................................................... 80
Cold On-Column Injector Maintenance................................................................................... 82
Replace the O-ring ...................................................................................................... 82
Possible leaks in the rotary valve................................................................................ 82
Chapter 5
Maintaining a Cold On-Column Injector Direct Narrow-Bore ........................................................ 97
Automated Operation Cold On-Column Injector..................................................................... 98

vi Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual
Contents
Cold On-Column Injector Maintenance ................................................................................ 100
Possible leaks in the rotary valve ............................................................................. 100
Chapter 6
Maintaining a Cold On-Column Injector...........................................................................................111
Manual Cold On-Column Injector......................................................................................... 112
Cold On-Column Injector Maintenance ................................................................................ 114
Possible leaks in the rotary valve ............................................................................. 114
Chapter 7
Maintaining a Packed Column Injector ............................................................................................121
Packed Column Injector ........................................................................................................ 122
Packed Column Injector Maintenance................................................................................... 124
When replacing the septum ...................................................................................... 124
Chapter 8
Maintaining a Purged Packed Column Injector ...............................................................................129
Purged Packed Column Injector ............................................................................................ 130
Purged Packed Column Injector Maintenance ...................................................................... 132
When replacing the septum ...................................................................................... 132
When replacing the liner........................................................................................... 132
Chapter 9
Maintaining a PTV Injector ................................................................................................................141
PTV Injector .......................................................................................................................... 142
PTV Injector Maintenance..................................................................................................... 144
When replacing the septum ...................................................................................... 144
When cleaning or replacing the liner........................................................................ 145
If a liner breaks inside the injector ........................................................................... 146
Adjusting the quartz wool packing........................................................................... 146
PTV Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................ 171
Sensitivity ................................................................................................................. 171
Discrimination .......................................................................................................... 171
Large Volume PTV .................................................................................................. 171
Troubleshooting the PTV Injector............................................................................ 172
Chapter 10
Ensuring Tightness............................................................................................................................179
Keeping Leaks under Control................................................................................................ 180

Contents
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual vii
DCC-equipped systems............................................................................................. 180
Leak Check ............................................................................................................... 180
Multiple systems .......................................................................................... 188
Chapter 11
Maintaining a FID............................................................................................................................... 191
Flame Ionization Detector (FID)............................................................................................192
FID Maintenance.................................................................................................................... 194
FID Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................. 214
Change in Sensitivity ................................................................................... 214
Gases ............................................................................................................ 214
Flame Ignition.............................................................................................. 215
Contamination.............................................................................................. 217
Chapter 12
Maintaining an Electron Capture Detector ...................................................................................... 219
Electron Capture Detector (ECD) .......................................................................................... 220
ECD Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 222
Wipe Test ............................................................................................................................... 223
Wipe Test Certificate ................................................................................................ 224
ECD Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................235
Change in Sensitivity ................................................................................................235
Temperature ................................................................................................. 235
Gases ............................................................................................................ 235
Contamination........................................................................................................... 236
Troubleshooting the ECD .........................................................................................237
Chapter 13
Maintaining a Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector ................................................................................ 239
Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector (NPD) ...................................................................................240
NPD Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 242
Thermionic source..................................................................................................... 242
NPD Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................264
Sensitivity .................................................................................................... 264
Gases ............................................................................................................ 264
Troubleshooting the NPD .........................................................................................266

viii Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual
Contents
Chapter 14
Maintaining a Flame Photometric Detector .....................................................................................269
Flame Photometric Detector (FPD)....................................................................................... 270
FPD Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 272
FPD Troubleshooting............................................................................................................. 310
Sensitivity.................................................................................................... 310
Gases............................................................................................................ 310
Troubleshooting the FPD.......................................................................................... 312
Chapter 15
Maintaining a Photoionization Detector...........................................................................................315
Photoionization Detector (PID) ............................................................................................. 316
PID Maintenance ................................................................................................................... 318
Leaks............................................................................................................ 318
PID Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................. 334
Sensitivity ................................................................................................................. 334
Lamp............................................................................................................ 334
Contamination ............................................................................................. 334
Troubleshooting the PID .......................................................................................... 335
Chapter 16
Maintaining a Thermal Conductivity Detector .................................................................................337
Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD) ................................................................................. 338
TCD Maintenance.................................................................................................................. 340
TCD Troubleshooting............................................................................................................ 341
Sensitivity ................................................................................................................. 341
Baseline drift............................................................................................................. 341
Negative peaks.......................................................................................................... 341
Troubleshooting the TCD......................................................................................... 342
Chapter 17
Maintaining Detectors in Stack Configuration ................................................................................345
ECD adapted for Stack Configuration................................................................................... 346
Guidelines for Maintenance................................................................................................... 348
Troubleshooting Guidelines................................................................................................... 386
Incorrect installation of the column............................................................ 386

Contents
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual ix
Chapter 18
Regenerating Carrier and Split Lines Filters................................................................................... 387
Chapter 19
Analytical Troubleshooting............................................................................................................... 391
Appendix A
Customer Communication 401
How To Contact Us................................................................................................................ 401
Reader Survey ........................................................................................................... 402
Appendix B
Reagents Safety Information 403
ACETONE ................................................................................................... 403
METHANOL ............................................................................................... 404
TOLUENE ................................................................................................... 404
Glossary ..............................................................................................................................................405

x Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual
Contents