Maintaining Your Agilent GC System: Maximize Your Efficiency. Minimize Your Downtime

Operate your lab at peak performance
Troubleshoot difficult problems

Select the right PerfectFit supplies
Plan preventive maintenance
Maintaining Your Agilent GC System

Maximize your efficiency. Minimize your downtime.
Introduction
With many labs today finding themselves
with reduced staff, our GC Maintenance
Guide was designed to put 35 years of
Agilents GC knowledge right in your lab.
We share everything from essential
maintenance schedules to keep you up
and running, to invaluable troubleshooting
tips and problem solving methods. Weve
even included an easy guide to help you
order the right Agilent PerfectFit parts
and supplies to keep your downtime to
a minimum.
At Agilent Technologies, we give you more
than the worlds best GC system. We give
you knowledge!
Maintaining Your Agilent GC System
UT
PU
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POST ER ENCL
OS
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Maximize your efficiency. Minimize your downtime.
oting
o
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s
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Trou Guide
GC
This icon denotes a video that is available to view on our

web site. Just visit www.agilent.com/chem/supplies to
view videos and obtain more information.
3
4
5
5
13
14
15
16
Gas Management
Gas Types
Purities
Purifiers
Regulators
Tubing
Leak Detection
Flow Rates
19 Sample
Introduction
& Inlets
Sample Introduction
20 Vials & Syringes
Inlet Types
26 Packed Column
28 Split/Splitless
31 Cool on-Column
34 PTV
Inlet Accessories
36 Septa, Liners,
Ferrules
37
38
38
38
39
Columns
Column Maintenance
Column Selection
Installation/Setup
Column
Performance
43 Detectors
44 Thermal
Conductivity
Detector (TCD)
45 NitrogenPhosphorous
Detector (NPD)
48 Electron-Capture
Detector (ECD)
50 Flame Photometric
Detector (FPD)
52 Flame Ionization
Detector (FID)
55 Service & Support
56 Expert Training,
Service & Support
Dont Miss
GC Troubleshooting Guide (pullout poster)
GC Maintenance Schedule (inside back cover)
www.agilent.com/chem
GAS MANAGEMENT
Gas Management
The use of quality carrier gases is essential
for consistent and accurate GC analyses.
Proper gas management is key to achieving
this goal. Agilent provides a diverse line of
high quality gas management products
gas purifiers, regulators, leak detectors and
flowmeters all designed to prevent
column damage and improve the quality
and consistency of your GC separations.
This section explains how common
contaminants like oxygen, moisture and
hydrocarbons can damage your GC column,
and helps you understand how to prevent
it. Also, look for practical information
about regulators, the importance of clean
GC-tubing, and minimizing the likelihood
of GC system contamination.
Gas management is more than just

selecting the highest quality carrier gas
available. Its about selecting the
appropriate carrier gas for your needs,
and taking steps to prevent system
contamination. Agilent understands
this and provides products that make
gas management easy to implement in
your lab.
Kenji Yamaguchi
Applications Support Manager
GAS MANAGEMENT
Gas Types
Carrier Gases
The most frequently used carrier gases are
helium and hydrogen, although nitrogen
and argon can be used. Purity is essential
for these gases since they sweep the
sample through the column where it is
separated into its component parts and
then through the detector for component
quantification. Carrier gas purity is also
critical to prevent degradation of
chromatographic hardware.
Contaminants in carrier gases can have
a significant effect on column life and
subsequent analyte detection. Harmful
effects include contaminant peaks
and elevated column bleed, along with

column and/or detector damage. The
following sections describe the gases
and purities that are necessary for gas
chromatography carrier gases, as well
as other support gases.
not it will make contact with the sample.

Coolant gases (carbon dioxide) and
pneumatic gases (air or nitrogen) generally
do not come in contact with the sample or
detector. Therefore, these non-contact
gases do not have to be the highest purity
available.
Support Gases
For most applications, gases which are low

in oils and particulates are desirable; thus,
low-purity specialty gas grade products
can be used. Fuels, oxidants and detector
gases, in most cases, do come in contact
with the sample and detector, and require
higher purity gases.
Support gases may be specific for detectors

or for applications. These gases include
fuels, oxidants, coolants, detector gases,
and pneumatic gases. The degree of purity
required for support gases is dependent on
how that gas is being used, and whether or
Carrier and Support Gases

Sample
Contact
Purity Required*
Pneumatics
No
Low Grade
Pneumatics
No
Low Grade
Gas Type
Function
Air
Nitrogen
Limit of Detection required:
Hydrogen
Trace (0-1 ppm)
1-1000 ppm
1000 ppm-1%
1%-100%
Carrier or fuel gas

for detector
Yes
Research
Ultra-Pure
Ultra-Pure
UHP/Zero
Hydrogen/Helium Mix
Fuel gas for detector
Yes
Research
Ultra-Pure
Ultra-Pure
UHP/Zero
Methane/Argon
or Nitrogen
Carrier or make-up
for ECD
Yes
Research
Research
Research
N/A
Air
Oxidant for detector
No
Ultra-Pure
Ultra-Pure
UHP/Zero
UHP/Zero
Nitrogen, Helium,
or Argon
Carrier or
make-up gas
Yes
Research
Ultra-Pure
Ultra-Pure
UHP/Zero
*Purities of gases depends upon the type of detector that is used. Use this table as a general guide only and refer to your detector manual for
specific gas purities that are needed.
Low Grade = Specialty or industrial gases (99.998%)
UHP/Zero Grade (99.999%)
Ultra-Pure Grade (99.9995%)
Research Grade (99.9999%)
GAS MANAGEMENT
Contaminants & Purities

Contaminants in gases are major
contributors to capillary column
degradation and detector noise, and
can interfere with chromatographic
results. Concentration of these
contaminants vary by the grade of gas.
Analytical gases are available in many
grades of quality, from high purity
(99.995%) to chromatography grade purity
(99.9995+%). The higher the purity, the
higher the cost.
can also cause baseline drift or wander,

contaminant peaks, and noisy or high
offsets of baselines
Moisture
can be introduced by improper handling

and/or installation of plumbing
a common cause of column stationary

phase degradation
can damage instrument
Oxygen
Identifying Contaminants
To make a proper purity choice it is
helpful to understand the contaminants
most common in GC gases and how
they can affect your analysis. Common
contaminants are:
Hydrocarbons and Halocarbons
most common contaminant
a common cause of column stationary

phase and inlet liner degradation
can cause decomposition of labile

analytes
opportunity for introduction at every

fitting present in the gas line or during
use of wrong tubing (i.e., gas permeable)
decrease detector sensitivity by

increasing detector background noise
In some cases it may be difficult to

determine which contaminant presents
the biggest problem in a given analysis. If
unsure, a call to your gas supplier may be
helpful. Once the problem contaminants
have been identified and a general
contaminant level is determined, the next
step is to choose a gas purity level that
comes closest to these requirements.
Keep in mind that higher grades of gas
generally cost more. The greatest cost
savings can be achieved by using the
lowest purity gas which will neither
interfere with the analysis nor damage
your equipment. Using the proper gas
purification equipment to remove common
contaminants and achieve the desired
purity level is essential.
Gas Purification Systems

Agilent brings the highest performance
and largest variety of gas purifiers (traps)
to gas chromatographers. Purifiers are
available in a variety of sizes and
configurations, to remove common
contaminants like oxygen, moisture,
and hydrocarbons. In-line gas purifiers,
including refillable, indicating, S-shaped,
and metal body types, are made to remove
specific contaminants. Agilent also offers
gas purification systems with removable
cartridges. These systems provide the
ability to design the right combination
of filters needed for your application to
achieve the proper gas purity.
The illustration on the next page shows

the most common gas purification
configurations used in gas chromatography.
Regardless of which purification system
is employed, proper installation and
maintenance is required to achieve
optimal performance from the purification
system(s). A purifier that is not maintained
will eventually saturate and become
ineffective, or worse, a source of
contamination.
Other Considerations
determine desired purity level
keep number of breaks in gas line

to a minimum
install purifiers in a convenient location

close to the GC
purifier log books are useful for

determining maintenance schedule
use indicating traps closest to the GC so

you can determine when to change the
traps that are upstream
GAS MANAGEMENT
Carrier Gas Purification

Key:
In-Line Gas Purifiers
-ORGas Purification System
Gas supply
1 = Moisture Trap
2 = Hydrocarbon Trap
3 = Oxygen Trap
4 = Indicating Oxygen Trap
5 = Gas Purification System
6 = Combination Trap for
moisture, oxygen, and
hydrocarbon removal
Detector Gas Purification
FID make-up, air,
and H2
-ORCombination Trap
Gas supply
ECD make-up
Vent
ELCD reaction gas
Gas supply = cylinder, in-house line, or gas generator
MS carrier gas
Regulator = Brass dual stage regulator
Gas Traps
NEED MORE HELP?
The purpose of gas traps is to remove

detrimental impurities from the carrier
and detector gases. Moisture (water),
oxygen and hydrocarbon traps are the
most common traps used with GC
systems. A few combination traps are
available which remove moisture, oxygen
and/or organics with a single trap. The
effectiveness of the traps depends on the
initial quality of the gas. Little enhancement
by traps to the GC system is obtained by
traps when using very high purity gases
(e.g., ultra-high purity or similar grades)
while obvious improvement is obtained
with lower grades of gas.
Constant exposure of capillary columns to

oxygen and moisture, especially at high
temperatures, results in rapid and severe
column damage. The use of oxygen and
moisture traps for the carrier gas may
extend column life and protect the
instrument. Traps may provide some
protection if there is a leak at or around
the gas cylinder. Any moisture or oxygen
introduced into the gas stream due to the
leak will be removed by the trap until it
expires. This creates an opportunity to
detect and fix the leak before column or
instrument damage occurs.
Tap Agilents GC knowledge

over the phone, on-line, in the
classroom, even at your site.
See pages 56-58 for more
information about our expert
training, service and support.
GAS MANAGEMENT
Moisture (Water) Traps

There are several different adsorbents
and indicating materials used in moisture
traps. Moisture traps can be easily
refilled. Adsorbent refills are typically
1/4 to 1/2 the cost of a new trap making
refilling a more economical (and less
wasteful) option.
Indicating moisture traps are available in

plastic and glass bodies. Glass body traps
are used when potential contaminants
from plastic trap bodies are a concern.
Glass traps are normally encased in a
protective, plastic shrink wrap or a high
impact plastic shield (outer trap body).
Glass and plastic bodied traps are usually
pressure tested at 150 psi, thus they are
safe for use at the typical pressures
required by the GC.
Refillable Glass Moisture Trap
Moisture Removal Traps

Description
Size
(cc)
H2O Removal
Capacity (g)
Maximum Effluent H2O

Concentration (ppb)
1/8 in.
Part No.
1/4 in.
Part No.
Molecular Sieve 13X and Indicating 4 Economy, with plastic Lexan body (other packings available, see Agilent catalog)
Refillable Moisture Trap
200
36
18
Adsorbent Refill (1 pint) for MT Series
MT200-2
MT200-4
MSR-1
MSR-1
GMT-2-HP
GMT-4-HP
GMSR
GMSR
Glass Indicating Moisture Traps (larger size is available, see Agilent catalog)
Glass Indicating Moisture Traps
100
Molecular Sieve Refill for GMT Series
250
16.3
Moisture Removal S-Trap can be reconditioned in the GC oven
Moisture S-Trap preconditioned
5060-9084
Big Moisture Traps for the Ultimate Moisture Capacity
Big Moisture Trap
750
Refill for BMT Series (2 refills)
Refillable Moisture Trap
Moisture S-Trap
BMT-2
BMT-4
BMSR-1
BMSR-1
Big Moisture Trap
Only a small sampling of gas purifiers are shown here. For a complete selection of gas purifiers, see the
Gas Purifier Selection Guide in the Agilent 2002-2003 Chromatography & Spectroscopy Supplies Reference Guide.
GAS MANAGEMENT
Oxygen Traps
Oxygen traps usually contain a metalcontaining inert support reagent. Most
oxygen traps reduce the oxygen
concentration to below 15-20 ppb. The
capacity of a standard oxygen trap is
approximately 30mg of oxygen per 100cc
of trap volume. Oxygen traps can remove
some small organics and sulfur compounds
from gas streams.
Indicating Oxygen Trap
Big Oxygen Trap
Metal (usually aluminum) trap bodies are

recommended for GC analyses. Some
Oxygen Traps
Description
1/8 in.
Part No.
Size (cc)
1/4 in.
Part No.
Indicating Oxygen Traps glass body with plastic safety shield
Indicating Oxygen Trap
30
IOT-2-HP
IOT-4-HP
Big Oxygen Traps non-indicating, for the Ultimate Oxygen Capacity (smaller size
available, see Agilent catalog)
Big Oxygen Trap
750
BOT-2
Hydrocarbon Traps
Size (cc)
1/8 in.
Part No.
1/4 in.
Part No.
200
HT200-2
HT200-4
ACR
ACR
Hydrocarbon Traps General Purpose
Refillable Hydrocarbon Trap

Adsorbent Refill (1 pint, 2 refills)
Big Hydrocarbon Traps for the Ultimate Hydrocarbon Capacity
Big Hydrocarbon Trap
Indicating oxygen traps change color when

oxygen is present in the gas at harmful
levels. Indicating traps are not intended to
be the primary oxygen removal trap, but
should be used in conjunction with a high
capacity non-indicating oxygen trap. They
are installed after the high capacity oxygen
trap in the gas line to indicate when the
high capacity trap is expired and needs to
be changed. Expired oxygen traps need to
be immediately changed since they can
contaminate the gas, in addition to failing
to remove oxygen.
BOT-4
Hydrocarbon Traps
Description
plastics are permeable to air and contain

contaminants that can degrade gas quality.
In addition, many of the metal bodied
oxygen traps can withstand high pressures
(up to 2000 psi). Some oxygen traps also
remove moisture from the gas stream
without affecting the oxygen removal
capability.
750
Refill for Big Hydrocarbon Trap (2 refills)
BHT-2
BHT-4
BACR
BACR
Hydrocarbon traps remove organics, such

as hydrocarbons and halocarbons, from
the gas stream. The adsorbent is usually
activated carbon or an impregnated carbon
filter media. Carbon removes organic
solvents from the gas stream, including the
typical solvents used in nearly every lab.
Hydrocarbon-moisture combination traps
are also available which remove water in
Hydrocarbon Removal S-Trap can be reconditioned in the GC oven
Hydrocarbon S-Trap
5060-9096
Capillary Grade Hydrocarbon Traps for crucial capillary applications
Capillary Grade Hydrocarbon Trap

Adsorbent Refill (1 pint, 3 refills)
100
Hydrocarbon Trap
HT3-2
HT3-4
ACR
ACR
GAS MANAGEMENT
Hydrocarbon Traps continued

addition to organics as described in the next
section. Capillary grade hydrocarbon traps
are purged with ultra-high purity helium
and packed with a very efficient activated
carbon material. Metal trap bodies are used
to prevent any contaminants in plastic trap
bodies from contaminating the carbon
adsorbent. Most hydrocarbon traps can
be refilled by the end user.
Big Hydrocarbon Trap
Hydrocarbon S-Trap
Combination Traps
Agilent carries several Combination Traps
that provide multiple contaminant removal
in a single trap. These traps offer:
Leak-free, one-piece design to eliminate

potential leaks from using multiple traps
Efficient design which prevents

channeling and promotes efficient
scrubbing
The ultimate in purification with a single

trap (Big Universal Trap)
Optimized adsorbents for maximum

surface area and capacity
Description
Size (cc)
1/8 in.
Part No.
1/4 in.
Part No.
100
OT3-2
OT3-4
Oxygen/Moisture Traps
Agilent OT3 Trap
Agilent OT3 Trap
Hydrocarbon/Moisture Traps
Refillable Hydro-Moisture Trap
200
Refill for Hydrocarbon/

Moisture Trap (1 pint, 2 refills)
HMT200-2 HMT200-4
HCRMS
HCRMS
Big Universal Traps for the Ultimate in Gas Purification, removes oxygen, moisture,
hydrocarbons, CO, and CO2
Big Universal Trap Helium

purged (also recommended
for GC Mass Spec)
750
RMSH-2
RMSH-4
Big Universal Trap Hydrogen purged
750
RMSHY-2
RMSHY-4
Big Universal Trap Nitrogen purged
750
RMSN-2
RMSN-4
UMC-5-2
UMC-5-2
Big Mounting Clip for

mounting Big Traps 2/pk
Big Universal Trap
Hydrocarbon Moisture Trap
GAS MANAGEMENT
High Capacity
Gas Purification System
Single-Cartridge System
Contains a triple-combination cartridge

that offers the same highly efficient
contaminant removal properties from
eight cylinders of carrier gas but without
the visual indicator.
Other cartridges are also available for

detector gas supplies and as individual
filters for specialized requirements.
Three Cartridge System
Three Cartridge
High Capacity
Gas Purification
System
Agilents highest capacity and most

economical gas purification system.
Provides low-cost gas contaminant

removal for up to 18 cylinders of
carrier gas.
Includes a manifold with cartridge

mounts and three replaceable cartridges:
one moisture/hydrocarbon cartridge; one
oxygen cartridge; and one oxygen
indicating cartridge.
Consists of a permanent all-welded

stainless steel manifold to minimize
the potential for leaks.
Suitable for bench or wall mounting.
High Capacity Gas Purification System

Description
Part No.
Three Cartridge SystemIncludes manifold

for wall or bench mount and 3 cartridges
(H2O/hydrocarbon, oxygen, and indicating O2)
With 1/8 in. fittings
5183-1907
5182-9776
Replacement Cartridge Kit

Includes all three cartridges for
above system.
5182-9780
Single Cartridge SystemIncludes single

cartridge manifold brackets for wall or bench
mount, and a triple combination cartridge
(H2O/hydrocarbon, and O2 )
10
5183-4598
5183-4599
Triple combination replacement cartridge

for single cartridge system
5183-4600
GAS MANAGEMENT
QC+ Point of Operation Panel

The QC+ Point of Operation Panel contains
purifier cartridges that can be quickly
changed. The cartridges are removed from
the panel without interruption of gas flow
to the system, drastically minimizing costly
instrument downtime.
Filter cartridges are of all metal or glass
construction, eliminating infusion and
resultant signal noise associated with
filters constructed from plastics. Cartridges
are quickly installed via a simple knurled
retaining nut, with no wrenches needed. As
many as four cartridges can be replaced in
a matter of seconds, and because there is
low dead volume, a minimal amount of gas
system purge is required after installation.
RQC-P
Quick Change Plus (QC+) Point of Operation Panels

Description
Fitting (in.)
Part No.
1/8
RQC-P
4-Head
O2, indicating O2, HC, H2O
Replacement Cartridges
Description
NEED MORE HELP?

Part No.
High capacity oxygen
GC-1
High capacity moisture
GC-2
Indicating moisture
GC-2-I
Hydrocarbon
GC-3
Indicating oxygen
GC-4

11
GAS MANAGEMENT
Super-Clean Gas Filter System
Super-Clean Gas Purification Systems
Super-Clean gas filter systems are

designed to provide the utmost in
convenience and contamination
reduction. The system is tested for
leak-tightness and the glass and metal
construction of the cartridges eliminates
diffusion of contaminants into the gas
stream. During cartridge replacement,
check valves close off the system to the
atmosphere, further minimizing the entry
of contaminants.
Available with 1/8 fittings only

Description
Part No.
Carrier Gas Purification System: Single

position system perfect for GC/MS,
ECD and NPD detectors. Includes the
triple filter cartridge.
5182-9704
Super-Clean Gas Purification System:

For your most demanding GC application,
includes four position baseplate manifold
with four filter cartridges: oxygen,
moisture (both with indicator), and
two hydrocarbon cartridges.
5182-0816
Replacement Filter Cartridges
Description
Triple Filter Cartridge: A single carrier gas

filter now with hydro-carbon, moisture,
and oxygen trapping capability. Includes
moisture and oxygen indicator so you know
exactly when to replace the cartridge.
5182-9705
Filter cartridge bundle of 4 (oxygen,

moisture, and 2 hydrocarbon)
5183-4770
Part No.
Universal/external split vent trap

with 3 cartridges
(1/8 in. Swagelok fitting)
RDT-1020
Replacement cartridges (3/pk)
RDT-1023
Split Vent Trap and Cartridges
12
Universal/External Split Vent Trap

Split vent traps stop environmental
pollution. The split vent trap was designed
to protect the lab environment from the
contaminants released by split injection
systems, which can vent up to 500 times
the amount of sample reaching the
detector into the laboratory's air. A
replaceable, impregnated carbon filter
media traps and eliminates a broad range
of contaminants. The traps are also easy
to change and come with three packs of
replacement cartridges each. Replace
approximately every six months.
GAS MANAGEMENT
Regulators
Pressure regulators are an integral
component in any gas handling system.
Their function is to reduce the pressure
from a high pressure source, such as a
cylinder, to a suitable use pressure.
Although regulators are very good at
controlling pressure, they do not control
flow. They have a maximum flow rate
which is dictated by the design. Basically,
the flow is determined by the pressure
drop across the regulator.
Types of Regulators
There are primarily two types of
regulators: single stage and dual (or two)
stage. The difference is that a dual stage
regulator is actually two regulators
connected in a series.
Dual stage regulators provide more precise
and consistent pressure control than single
stage regulators. The reason is that in a
single stage regulator, as the gas cylinder
empties and the inlet pressure to the

regulator decreases (inlet decay), the
pressure on the diaphragm is reduced.
Without proper adjustment, the outlet
pressure might slowly rise.
A dual stage regulator overcomes this
problem by connecting two regulators
together. The first stage regulates the
pressure to the second stage thus creating
a constant pressure and allowing minimal
inlet decay. Agilent recommends using
two-stage regulators with our GC Systems
to provide the proper pressure control for
optimal use.
Regulator Materials
Regulators are usually constructed of brass
or stainless steel. The choice of material
follows the same guidelines as the choice
of tubing. Generally, it is not recommended
that the materials be interchanged. If
stainless steel tubing were chosen due
Description
Part No.
Brass Body, Dual Stainless Steel Diaphragms (1/8 in.)*
CGA 346, 125 psig max (8.6 bar), Air
5183-4641
CGA 350, 125 psig max (8.6 bar), H2, Ar/Me
5183-4642
CGA 540, 125 psig max (8.6 bar), O2
5183-4643
CGA 580, 125 psig max (8.6 bar), He, Ar, N2
5183-4644
CGA 590, 125 psig max (8.6 bar), Air
5183-4645
Brass Body Regulator
to purity considerations, then a stainless

steel regulator should be chosen for the
same reasons. Unfortunately, use of high
purity stainless steel regulators is often
cost-prohibitive.
No matter which material is chosen for the
regulator body, be sure to specify one with
stainless steel diaphragms for critical
applications such as use on carrier, fuel or
detector gases. Agilent recommends using
our economical brass body, dual stainless
steel diaphragm regulators for most GC
applications. These regulators, combined
with the proper gas purification system,
provide proper gas pressure control and
purity for gas chromatography.
When ordering a regulator, be sure to
specify the proper connections. In the
US, most gas manufacturers follow CGA
connection guidelines. In Europe, there
are a number of organizations designating
cylinder connections that are specific to
individual countries. It is best to contact
your local supplier for the proper
connection designation.
*For 1/4 in. tubing, purchase a 1/4 in. adapter listed below
Regulator Outlet Adapters Female NPT to Swagelok-style
1/4 in. to 1/8 in. brass

(included with brass regulators)
0100-0118
1/4 in. to 1/4 in. brass*
0100-0119
*Required for plumbing 1/4 in. tubing to regulators above
HELPFUL HINT: Always depressurize

a regulator before closing the adjusting
knob and removing the regulator from
the cylinder.
13
GAS MANAGEMENT
Tubing
When constructing or maintaining a gas
delivery system for GC, choosing the proper
tubing material is very important and will
help to eliminate potential problems and
improve the overall quality of the gas
system. Although there are many common
tubing materials available, some pose
safety or cleanliness problems.
Spectra-Link Tubing Connecting System

on a two-stage regulator
Non-metallic types of tubing such as

polyethylene and Teflon are not
recommended for GC applications due
to their gas permeability and difficulty
in cleaning. This type of tubing can be
used for non-critical applications, such as

pressurizing pneumatic lines; however, be
aware of its pressure limitations.
In view of these problems, the list of
appropriate tubing materials has been
narrowed down to two: copper and
stainless steel. Agilent recommends using
copper tubing for most applications, since
it is easy to bend and plumb and is less
expensive than stainless steel. Use
stainless steel tubing only for crucial
applications that require very high purity.
Cleaning Tubing
Determining Tubing Length
Parameters: 2000sccm (4.2 scfh); Temperature: 70F; Pressure 30 psig
Tubing Type
Diameter
(inches)
Recommended
Max. Length (feet)
Pressure Drop
(psig)
Copper
1/8*
50
Copper
1/4*
300
0.5
*Recommended when multiple instruments are connected to the same source
Cleaning tubing requires the use of suitable

detergents and solvents along with
nitrogen and a purgeable oven for drying.
This may be done easily for small lengths
of tubing but in larger systems, the
cleaning procedure becomes unwieldy
sometimes, leaving behind a large quantity
of solvent requiring proper disposal.
Fortunately, Agilent provides clean high
quality GC grade tubing for large systems
as an economical alternative.
TubingPrecleaned
Description
Before any tubing is placed into service,

or if it becomes contaminated with use,
it is essential that it be properly cleaned.
Unclean or improperly cleaned tubing can
lead to contamination of the system with
disastrous results.
Part No.
Copper tubing, 1/8 in., 50 ft.
5180-4196
Copper tubing, 1/8 in., 12 ft.
5021-7107
HELPFUL HINT: Always replace cylinders at

around 500 psi, to reduce the risk of having
a drastic pressure drop right in the middle
of an important analysis.
14
GAS MANAGEMENT
Spectra-Link is No Ordinary Flexible Tubing!

Stainless Steel: no outgassing or permeation through polymeric materials
Quick Connection: prevents air from entering gas lines during tank changeover
Tested: each system has leak rates lower than 1x10-5 cc/sec
Description
Part No.
Spectra-Link with 1/8 in. fittings

and 36 in. SS tubing
SL-8
Spectra-Link with 1/4 in. fittings

and 36 in. SS tubing
SL-4
Cylinder Bracket
Description
Part No.
Cylinder wall bracket with strap and chain

(cylinder size up to 14 in., 35 cm)
5183-1941
Cylinder Wall Bracket
Leak Detection
Leaks allow oxygen and other
contaminants to enter the gas stream.
Therefore, GC instrument maintenance
should include checking fittings and
connections with a gas leak detector.
Agilents Gas Leak Detector enables quick
and easy detection and measurement of

gas leaks for 12 common gases. Based on a
dual cell micro volume thermal conductivity
system, this unit provides very high
sensitivity and eliminates contamination
caused by soap solution methods.
Gas Leak Detector Kit

Description
Part No.
Leak detector includes probe, extended flexible probe, range extension nozzle,
probe clip and template, cable, AC power adapter/battery charger, battery, user
manual, cleaning wipe, and carrying case (available in 115 V or 220 V).
Gas leak detector, 115 V
5182-9646
Gas leak detector, 220 V
5182-9648
Gas Leak Detector

15
GAS MANAGEMENT
Flow Rates
Setting and maintaining GC flow rates
greatly affect the instrument accuracy
and sensitivity. During maintenance,
verify carrier and support gas flows
with the proper flowmeter. Choosing a
flowmeter for your application depends
upon measurement speed, ease of use,
accuracy, and flow rate range.
Selecting a Flowmeter
Agilent manufactures the largest selection
of volumetric and mass flowmeters for
chromatography. We have developed
flowmeters for measuring capillary column
flows, calibrating air pumps and flow
controllers, and verifying instrument gas
flows. All flowmeters are calibrated to
NIST-traceable standards.
FlowTracker Flowmeters volumetric, multimode flowmeters

Description
FlowTracker 2000
Part No.
FlowTracker 1000 Flowmeter
5183-4779
FlowTracker 2000 Flowmeter and

Leak Detector
5183-4780
FlowTracker Universal AC Adapter (optional,

not supplied with FlowTracker units)
5183-4781
ADM 1000 features include:
Accuracy 3%
Operating temperature range

0 to 45C for the instrument, -70 to
135C for the tubing
ADM 2000
In addition to the features of the ADM
1000, the ADM 2000 includes:
Calibrationtraceable to NIST primary

standards
Mass flow measurementsmeasure

flow rate, independent of atmospheric
pressure and temperature (calculated)
Data output through RS-232 port
Real time, split ratio measurement
CE mark certified
9V battery and AC power adapter

(120 or 220 VAC)
Measures flow rates from 0.5 to

1000 mL/min
Split ratioscompare the ratio from

one gas measurement to another
(i.e., injection port split ratios)
ADM 1000
ADM 2000
16
GAS MANAGEMENT
Flowmeters
Description
Flow Rate (mL/min)

Low
High
Gases
Measured
Accuracy
(%)
Power
Supply
RS-232 Data
Output
Part No.
ADM Flowmeters volumetric, measures all gases*

ADM1000
0.5
1000
All
9V Battery
None
220-1170
ADM2000
0.5
1000
All
Battery or 120 VAC
Yes
220-1171-U
ADM2000E
0.5
1000
All
Battery or 220 VAC
Yes
220-1171-E
Electronic Mass Flowmeter dedicated mass flowmeter, very accurate for specific gases*
Veri-Flow 500
(110 V)
5.0
500
He, H2, Ar/CH4

N2, Air
Rechargeable Battery
or 110 VAC
Yes
HVF-500
Veri-Flow 500
(220 V)
5.0
500
He, H2, Ar/CH4

N2, Air
Rechargeable Battery
or 220 VAC
Yes
HVF-500-2
Optiflow Flowmeters Gas Flowmeters versatile volumetric flowmeters**

Optiflow 420
0.1
50
All
+/- 3
9V Battery
None
HFM-420
Optiflow 570
0.5
700
All
+/- 3
9V Battery
None
HFM-570
Optiflow 650
5.0
5,000
All
+/- 2
9V Battery
None
HFM-650
*non-corrosive gases only

**non-corrosive and mildly corrosive gases only
Veri-Flow 500
Optiflow 420
NEED MORE HELP?

Only a small sampling of flowmeters are shown here. For a complete selection of flowmeters, see the
Flowmeter Selection Guide in the Agilent 2002-2003 Chromatography & Spectroscopy Supplies Reference Guide.
17
Theres More!
Agilent offers a series of free
Maintenance Guides for your GC System.
Successful chromatography depends on optimum

performance from every component of the GC system.
At Agilent, we want to help you keep your system running
at peak performance. We want to share our 35 years
experience in chromatography to help you maximize your
investment. This new GC System Maintenance Guide is just
one in a series of system support literature from Agilent,
designed to help you optimize the performance of your
GC system. Other Guides include:
GC Inlet Resource Guide
(publication # 5988-3466)
This 24-page Guide offers troubleshooting tips for all components

of the GC inlet, including septa, ferrules, and liners.
Maintaining Your GC/MS System
This 48-page Guide covers everything from maintaining a Mass

Selective Detector, to GC/MS columns and supplies, to GC/MS
support services.
Developed by Agilent GC and GC/MS experts, these Guides

are packed with system operation and maintenance
recommendations, repair tips, and easy ordering information
for PerfectFit parts and supplies. For a copy of these Guides,
visit www.agilent.com/chem, call 800-227-9770 (in US), or
contact your authorized Agilent distributor.
Sample Introduction
& Inlets
Agilent offers a wide range of GC sample
vials, septa, syringes, liners and inlets
for a broad range of gas-phase applications.
Our PerfectFit supplies have been designed
specifically for Agilent instruments so
they help to ensure GC results that are
reproducible and accurate. This section
reviews these critical components, and
helps you make the right choice. Also, look
for useful information from proper syringe
use and cleaning techniques to a detailed
discussion on optimized inlet settings. All
to make your GC analysis easier. All from
the GC experts.
Good sample introduction helps

ensure good reproducibility, optimal
peak shape, and accurate sample
delivery. Agilents commitment to
offering the highest quality supplies
means accurate, reliable results.
Time after time.
Bryan Bente, Ph.D.
Technology Development Manager
Only a small sampling of vials and syringes are shown here. For a complete selection of vials and syringes, see the
Agilent 2002-2003 Chromatography & Spectroscopy Supplies Reference Guide.
19
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION & INLETS
Sample Introduction
Vials
Vial Filling
Agilent wide opening vials are a perfect fit

for analyzing samples with your GC. They
have specially designed vial neck angles,
bottom design and height to ensure
compatibility with Agilent autosamplers
with rotating or robotic arm trays. Agilent
offers a large variety of autosampler vials
in different closures, cap colors, septa
choices and package options. Agilent also
offers convenience packs with 500 vials
and caps in a reusable blue storage box.
When filling sample vials, keep in mind:
For small sample sizes, Agilent offers a

variety of options. You can use microvolume
inserts with the wide opening vials or, for
added convenience, use vials with small
volume capacity.
if you need to test a large amount of

sample over repeated injections, divide
the sample among several vials to obtain
reliable results
when sample volume in the vial is low,

contaminants from the previous sample
injection or solvent washes may have a
greater impact on the sample.
The airspace in the vial is necessary to

avoid forming a vacuum when sample is
withdrawn. This could affect
reproducibility.
Vial Options
Glassfor general purpose Silanizedfor use with

use and for use with acids
samples that bind to glass,
and for trace analyses
Polypropylenefor use
with alcohols and aqueous
solvents
Amber Vialsfor use with Microvolume Inserts

light-sensitive samples
for use with very small
sample volumes
High Recovery Vials

for use with limited sample
volumes
Recommended fill volumes for sample vials

HELPFUL HINT: Do not inject air into the
vials to prevent the vacuum. This often
damages the cap seal.
1 mL
50 L
3.6 mm*
*Needle position based on standard sampling depth.
20
100 L vial
Selecting Vial Septa Materials

Vial cap septa are critically important
to optimal analysis. Each septum
complements the overall system and
enhances chemical performance.
Agilent vial cap septa are specifically
formulated and constructed for optimum
system performance, with minimal coring
and superior chemical inertness.
Red Rubber/Teflon
Routine analysis
Moderate resealing
Excellent chemical inertness
Not recommended for multiple
injections or storage of samples
Least expensive
Determining Your Quantity Needs

To determine potential septa ordering
quantities, consider:
the number of samples run during a

day/week
if samples are run in small or large

batches
if samples are run manually or with an

autosampler
if samples are run overnight, unattended
Silicone/Teflon
Excellent resealing
Resists coring
Good for multiple injections
Teflon/Silicone/Teflon
Used in trace analysis applications
Above average resealing
Most resistant to coring
Least evaporation
Use with large diameter, blunt tip
syringe needles
HELPFUL HINT: Unattended autosampler

runs require a precise fit for uninterrupted
operation. Typically, automated sample runs
use a higher quality and quantity of vials.
Vials
Description
Quantity
Part No.
2 mL Crimp top vial convenience

pack with silver AI caps with
Teflon/Red rubber septa
500/pk
5181-3400
2 mL Screw top vial convenience

pack with blue screw caps and
Teflon/Red rubber septa
500/pk
5182-0732
2 mL Snap top vial convenience pack

with clear polypropylene snap caps
and Teflon/Red rubber septa
500/pk
5182-0547
100 L Insert for wide opening vials
100/pk
5181-1270
1000/pk
9301-0978
100 L Glass lined polypropylene vials
100/pk
9301-0977
15 L reservoir volume, Micro-V vial,

clear crimp top
100/pk
5184-3551
30 L reservoir volume, High recovery

vial, crimp top
100/pk
5182-3454
Teflon Disc
Good for MS and ECD analysis
Chemically inert
No resealing
Single injection
No long-term sampling storage
Viton
Chlorinated solvents
Organic acids
Limited resealing
Not suitable for 32 gauge syringe
Vials
300 L Polypropylene vials
21
Syringes
Selecting Syringes
Syringe type and design are important for

chromatography to ensure reproducible
sample injections for consistent results.
The Agilent line of syringes are a perfect fit
with your autosamplers and come with a
variety of plunger and needle choices.
1. Select the syringe type based on the

inlet (injection port) you are using and
the volume of sample you want to inject.
2. Select a syringe. Refer to your automatic
liquid sampler operating documentation
for available syringe sizes and
corresponding injection volumes.
PerfectFit means they are designed:

for reproducible sample volume delivery
specifically for the Agilent inlet or
autosampler
to maximize inlet septum lifetime
3. Select the appropriate syringe

needle gauge.
Needle Gauge Selection

Inlet
Needle Gauge
Column Type
Packed, split or
splitless (including PTV)
23 gauge or 23/26 gauge tapered
any applicable
Cool on-column
23/26 gauge tapered or 26 gauge
530 m
Cool on-column
26/32 gauge tapered
320 m
Cool on-column
26/32 gauge tapered
250 m
Needle Tip
Needle Shape
Needle tips
Sharp tip
Cone tip
Tapered needle
NEED MORE HELP?

22
Use syringe needles with an Agilent dualtaper needle or a conical tip. Sharp-tipped
needles tend to tear the inlet septum and
cause leaks. Also, a sharp-tipped needle
tends to leave residual amounts of sample
on the septum as it exits, resulting in a
large solvent tail on the chromatogram.
Syringe Characteristics and Recommended Uses

Syringe
Advantage
Limitations
Recommended Use
5 L, fitted
plunger
Most accurate
Thinnest plunger, 1 L injections
syringe for 1L
can bend
Clean samples
injection
more easily
Routine analysis
No hardware
Not ideal for higher
modification needed
viscosity samples
for 0.5 L injection
Plunger not
replaceable
10 L, fitted
plunger
Most economical
Most reliable fitted
plunger syringe
Less bending
Better for high
viscosity samples
10 L,
gas-tight
Replaceable plunger More expensive

Dirty samples
for reduced
than fitted plunger Gases and volatile
repair cost
Not available in
samples
Less plunger binding 5 L size
Reactive samples
than fitted plunger
Tight seal between
plunger and barrel
Most accurate only General purpose

for 2 L and larger syringe
injections
Clean samples
Plunger not
Routine analysis
replaceable
Replacing On-column Syringe Needles
To insert a needle into a syringe barrel:
The stainless steel needles used for

250-m and 320-m injections must
be inserted into a glass syringe barrel.
Select the correct size needle for the
column you plan to use.
1. Unscrew the syringe barrel cap and

remove the spring.
HELPFUL HINT: Failure to use an

on-column syringe when injecting into
an on-column inlet could damage the
injector, syringe and column.
2. Make sure the needle has the Teflon

disk. If the syringe barrel does not
have the Teflon disk, use the instructions
in the syringe box to wrap the needle
yourself.
3. Slide the spring and the cap down over
the needle.
4. Insert the needle into the syringe barrel.
5. Screw the cap back on the syringe barrel.
To view a video on syringe installation, visit

www.agilent.com/chem/supplies, click on
How-to Video under the Reference Library.
23
Syringe Tips
Make sure to input the proper syringe

size when setting up the injection section
of your data handling device.
Rinse syringes and clean their plungers

before use to maximize syringe lifetime.
Rinse the syringe 5-8 times between

injections to minimize sample carryover.
Pump sample in and out of the syringe at

least 5 times to remove any air bubbles,
and for maximum reproducibility and
accuracy.
A 26 gauge syringe can be used for oncolumn injections into a 0.53mm id

column. Always check that on-column
syringe needles fit inside the capillary
column before installing the column and
syringe in the GC.
For on-column injections, always use the

proper septum nut and stainless steel
insert for the column dimension you are
using. Use a septum with a molded
through-hole with injections onto 0.32mm
and 0.25mm columns.
24
Remove a gas-tight plunger from the

syringe for long-term storage to keep the
Teflon tip leak-free. If a gas-tight plunger
does not fit properly, place it in hot water
for about 10 minutes then press the tip
uniformly on a clean, hard surface and let
cool to room temperature. The plunger
should reseal correctly to provide 10-25%
more injections.
To maximize the lifetime of standard

plungers, rinse the syringe and wipe the
plunger with solvent (isopropanol or
acetone) and a lint-free wipe, as specified
in the syringe cleaning procedure
included with each syringe.
Syringes
Description
Gauge
Quantity
Part No.
Tapered Needle Syringes

(use for split/splitless or on-column injections with 0.53 mm id columns)
10 L
Tapered
Fixed Needle
23-26s/42
6/pk
5181-3360
5 L
Tapered
Fixed Needle
23-26s/42
6/pk
5181-8810
10 L
Straight
Fixed Needle
23/42
6/pk
9301-0725
5 L
Straight
Fixed Needle
23/42
6/pk
5182-0875
Straight Needle Syringes

(use with Merlin Microseal)
Automatic Liquid Sampler Supplies

Description
Unit
Part No.
144/pk
9301-0723
12/pk
07673-40180
144/pk
9301-1031
25/pk
5182-0551
Miscellaneous Autosampler Supplies

4 mL wash vial with screw caps
Diffusion caps for 4 mL vials
Septa for 4 mL vial
4 mL wash vial with fill marking, caps
Screw for mounting syringe
07673-20570
Quadrant kit (4 tray sections)
18596-40015
7673 Basic Supply Kit contains:

10 mL syringes (6/ea), 23/26 gauge
needles, 4 mL vials with diffusion caps
(144/pk), 2 mL automatic sampler
vials with screw caps (1,000/pk),
GC septa (25/pk), Vial racks (5/pk)
07673-60840
Only a small sampling of vials and syringes are shown here. For a complete selection of vials and syringes,
see the Agilent 2002-2003 Chromatography & Spectroscopy Supplies Reference Guide.
25
Packed-Column Inlets
Packed-column direct inlets are very
popular. Packed-column analysis is
frequently done when high efficiency
separations are not needed or when gases
are analyzed by gas-solid chromatography.
Packed column inlets are simple in both
design and use. Few parameters need to be
set, and all carrier gas flow flushes through
the inlet into the column in the standard
configuration.
Packed-Column Inlet Procedures/Practices

Parameter
Selection/Setting
Rationale
Inlet temperature
BP of solvent +50C
BP of major solute(s)
Ensures flash vaporization

Use for neat samples
Insert type
1/8-inch stainless steel

1/4-inch stainless steel
Use for ss column only

Inserts permit connection of
columns up to 1/4-inch od.
Liner
Glass
Use to lower activity

(replaceable)
Initial column
temperature
temperature programming
Sharpens peaks and

reduces run time
Column type
1/8-inch packed stainless

1/4-inch packed glass
Will not break

Better for polar or labile
compounds
Carrier gas flow
20-40 mL/min
30-60 mL/min
Use with N2 carrier gas

Use with He or
H2 carrier gas
Troubleshooting
Most problems with packed-column inlets
involve sample decomposition, flashback,
or leaks.
Decomposition
Since packed-column inlets are active,
especially if glass liners are not used, polar
sample components will often tail or
degrade in the inlet. Sample decomposition
caused by the inlet is easily diagnosed; the
decomposition products will have peaks at
the same retention times as standards for
the decomposition product.
When inlet-caused decomposition is
suspected, try intracolumn direct injection,
deactivated glass liners, or lower inlet
temperatures, and remove any column
packing in the inlet zone.
26
The inherent activity of packed-column

inlets is somewhat mediated by the fact
that they usually have low internal volume.
When this is coupled with the relatively
fast flow rates used with packed columns,
the residence time of sample in the inlet is
short and decomposition is reduced in
comparison to the decomposition that
occurs with some capillary inlets (for
example, splitless inlets).
Flashback
The negative side of low inlet volume,
however, means that excessively large
sample injections will easily exceed the
capacity of the liner and will flash back into
gas supply lines and onto the septum. This
can cause several maladies, including
ghost peaks, sample losses, irreproducible
peak areas, and decomposition.
Leaks
Since packed-column inlets are usually
flow-controlled, septum and column leaks
will have a direct impact on retention times
and peak areas. Sample can be lost through
the leak holes, and air can diffuse back into
the inlet to cause column degradation.
Change the septum on a regular basis and
check column connections at the first stage
of problems. To prevent stationary phase
decomposition, make sure that the oven
and inlet are at room temperature when not
in use and when changing the septum.
6890/6850/5890 Series GC Packed Port Supplies*

Item
Description
Septum nut
Septa Bleed temperature,

optimized, 11 mm**
Unit
Part No.
1
18740-60835
50/pk
2
3
4
5183-4757
Top insert weldment
19243-80570
Viton O-rings
12/pk
5080-8898
Glass liner, disposable
25/pk
5080-8732
Glass liner, disposable/deactivated
5/pk
5181-3382
Vespel/graphite ferrules, 1/4 in. id
10/pk
5080-8774
Tubing nut, 1/4 in. brass
10/pk
5180-4105
Liner
Adapters with glass liners

8
0.53 mm column adapter
19244-80540
1/8 in. column adapter
19243-80530
19243-80540
Upper insulation
19243-00067
10
Nut warmer cup with insulation
19234-60720
11
Column nut for 0.53 mm column
2/pk
5181-8830
** For a complete parts breakdown, see the 6890 Series GC Instrument User and/or Service Manuals.
* For Model 6890/6850 only
** For a complete selection of inlet supplies, refer to Agilents GC Inlet Resource Guide.
Inside of
Oven
9
1/4 in. Vespel/

graphite ferrule
1/4 in. nut
1/8 in. or 1/4 in.
stainless steel liner
10
11
5890 Packed Column Inlet Supplies

Description
Unit
Nonpurging septum nut assembly

for manual flow control only, not EPC
Part No.
19243-60570
Adapters without glass liners

19243-80510
19243-80520
Universal Packed Column Inlet (non-purged)

Septum retainer nut for
headspace sampling, nonpurging
Brass nut, 1/4 in.
19243-60505
10/pk
NEED MORE HELP?

5180-4105
27
Split/Splitless Inlets
The combined split/splitless inlet is the
most popular inlet for capillary column gas
chromatography. Because it can be used in
either split or splitless mode, it provides a
very effective combination that can cover
most analysis requirements.
Split Mode
Split injection is an effective way to
introduce small amounts of sample without
overloading the column. Split injection is
required for samples that:
cannot be diluted for analysis (for

example, solvents)
are gases that cannot be focused, or

that have long injection times (valve
injections)
have important minor peaks eluting

directly before the solvent peak (as in
solvent analysis)
Split injection is also good for screening

samples of which little is known or for
those that have widely differing
concentrations, since the split ratio
can be adjusted easily. Split inlets are
also a good choice for dirty samples.
Troubleshooting
Split inlets are spared from most bandbroadening phenomena, since narrow
peaks are generated as part of the
splitting process. Therefore, any peak
broadening or tailing observed with split
injection is usually due to improper
column installation, low split flow, or
low inlet temperature. If you suspect that
the inlet temperature may be too low,
increase it by 50C and compare the
results to the lower temperature analysis.

Repeat if results are positive until no
further improvement is seen.
A majority of the problems encountered
with split inlets are related to
discrimination and decomposition. Both
analytical accuracy and reproducibility
decrease with the increases in
discrimination and decomposition.
Split inlets suffer from both needle
discrimination and inlet discrimination.
Split Mode Procedures/Practices

Parameter
Selection/Setting
Rationale
Inlet temperature
BP last eluting compound

Minimizes inlet discrimination
Inlet liner
Large volume, deactivated
Minimizes flashback
Minimizes degradation
Inlet packing
Silanized glass wool

Glass beads or frit
None
Retains non-volatiles
Stops flow of droplets
Less active than wool
Least active
0.5-3 L liquid
0.10-10 mL gas
Split easily adjusted

Split adjusted accordingly
Injection volume
Injection technique Fast autoinjection

Hot-needle fast manual
injection
Less needle discrimination

Reproducible discrimination
Split ratio
50:1 to 500:1
Depends on sample and

injection volume
Initial column
temperatures
Not critical
Narrow initial peaks
Septum purge
2-3 mL/min
Minimizes ghosting
To view a video on liner and gold seal replacement,

visit www.agilent.com/chem/supplies, click on
How-to Video under the Reference Library.
28
Splitless Mode Procedures/Practices
Splitless Mode
Parameter
Selection/Setting
Rationale
Inlet temperature
Just above highest

boiling point of
solutes (+20C)

Reduce if degradation occurs
Use higher for dirty samples
and higher-boiling solutes
Inlet liner
Large volume >0.8mL

Small volume <0.2mL
Use with autoinjector

Use only for slow manual
injections
Inlet packing
None
Use only with slow injection

Decreases degradation
Silanized glass wool
Use for fast autoinjection

& dirty samples
Injection volume
0.5-2 L liquid
Depends on solvent, liner,

& conditions
Injection technique
Fast autoinjection
Most reproducible
Less needle discrimination
Hot-needle slow manual Inject 1-2L.sec if narrow liner
is used and >1L injection
Hot-needle fast manual Use for <1L injections
Purge flow
20-50 mL/min
Not critical
Purge delay time
20-80 sec
Adjust according to column

flow rate/liner type
& sample conditions
Oven temperature
10-25C below solvent BP Necessary for solvent focusing
Column flow
>2mL/min when possible Clears inlet fast

Reduces backflash and
decomposition
Septum purge
2-3mL/min
Reduces ghosting
Quantification
Internal standard
Standard addition
Maximizes reproducibility
Use only with constant
injection volume
Retention gap
1-3m, deactivated
(1-2m per L injected)
Reduces peak distortion

Promotes solvent and
stationary phase focusing
For splitless injection, a conventional split

injector is operated in a nonsplitting mode
by closing the split valve during injection.
The sample is flash-vaporized in the liner,
and sample vapors are carried into the
column by the carrier gas where they are
recondensed at temperatures below the
boiling point of the solvent. After most of
the sample has been transferred into the
column, vapors remaining in the liner are
cleared by opening the split vent which
remains open for the duration of the run.
The most important benefit of splitless
injection is that a majority of the injected
sample is introduced into the column. This
results in much higher sensitivity than that
achieved using split injection.
Solvent Effect
One requirement of splitless injections is
that the initial column temperature should
be kept at least 10C below the boiling
point of the sample solvent. This allows the
sample solvent to condense at the front of
the column trapping the solvent molecules
into a tight, narrow band.
NEED MORE HELP?

29
Splitless injection is routinely used in

areas such as:
environmental analysis
pesticide monitoring of foods
drug screening
In these applications, sample preparation

requirements are significant, and it is not
always possible or economically justifiable
to clean up a sample extensively. So
column protection becomes as important
as sensitivity. Also, samples with trace
quantities of important solutes that elute
HELPFUL HINT: A guard column or

retention gap is often beneficial for
splitless injections (see page 41).
on the solvent tail may be focused by the

solvent to yield more sensitive analyses.
Troubleshooting
Most problems encountered with splitless
injection are related to incorrect purge
time, degradation, improper focusing, and
flashback.
Appropriate initial column temperature is
critical. Sample vapors can be lost through
the septum purge line if the insert is
overfilled with sample vapor (either too
large injection volume or too small liner
Decomposition
Loss of peak area or generation of new
peaks, can sometimes be dramatically
reduced by changing liner type or by
deactivating the liner and inlet with
silanizing reagents. Removing or reducing
the amount of liner packing can also
decrease inlet activity.
6890/6850/5890 Split/Splitless Inlet Supplies*

Item
volume), leading to irreproducibility and

nonlinearity of peak areas. Match inlet
temperature, liner volume, and injection
volume carefully to avoid backflash.
Description
Septum retainer nut
Unit
Part No.
18740-60835
Septa**
Insert Weldment**
Liner O-ring**
Liner**
Split vent trap assembly (6890/6850 only)
G1544-80550
Retaining nut (6890/6850 only)

Retaining nut (5890 only)
G1544-20590
19251-20620
SS seal
Gold-plated seal
18740-20880
18740-20885
Washer, 0.375 in. od
7
8
9
12/pk
5061-5869
10
Reducing nut
18740-20800
11
Insulation (requires 3)
19243-00067
12
Lower insulation cover
19243-00070
13
Ferrule**
14
Column nut (6890/5890 only)
2/pk
5181-8830
Column nut (6850 only)
2/pk
5183-4732
10
11
Angled wrench for split/splitless inlet
19251-00100
12
13
14
30
**For a complete parts breakdown, see the 6890/6850/5890 Series GC Instrument User and/or Service Manuals.
**For a complete selection of inlet supplies, refer to Agilents GC Inlet Resource Guide.
Cool On-Column Inlets

Cool on-column injection is superior in
many ways to other sample introduction
techniques.
Advantages:
elimination of sample discrimination
elimination of sample alteration
solvent focusing of early eluting solutes
high analytical precision
If done properly, cool on-column injection

provides the most accurate and precise
results of the available inlets. Syringe
discrimination is completely eliminated.
Moreover, inlet-related discrimination does
not occur, since the liquid is introduced
directly into the column. Automated oncolumn injection provides even higher
analytical precision. Add to this the
elimination of thermal decomposition and
rearrangement reactions, and it becomes
apparent that cool on-column injection

should be considered whenever high
precision and accurate results are required.
Limitations:
maximum sample volumes are smaller

compared with other inlets (0.5 L
to 2.0 L)
solute peaks eluting just before the

solvent cannot be focused and are
difficult to determine
capillary columns (especially those with a

large phase ratio or small inner diameter)
can be easily overloaded with sample
parameters such as initial column

temperature, solvent nature, and injection
rate must often be optimized
Cool On-Column Inlet Procedures/Practices

Parameter
Selection/Setting
Rationale
Initial inlet
temperature
= or 3C above column
oven temperature
Ensures sample focusing

in solvent front
Initial inlet
temperature ramp
Same as oven (oven track)

Faster than oven
Simple and effective

Narrows initial peak width
Injection volume
0.1-2.0 L liquid
Use smaller injections for

small id columns;
Depends on column capacity
Injection technique
Fast autoinjection
Fused silica needle
Projects droplets away from

syringe tip
Use for manual injection into
small id columns
Oven temperature
Inlet temperature or
slightly lower
Prevents backflash
Column flow
50-80cm/sec
30-50cm/sec
Use for H2 carrier gas

Use for He carrier gas
Septum purge
12-15mL/min
Use if installed to prevent

ghosting
Quantification
All methods
Inherently reproducible
technique
Lack of discrimination
Retention gap
requirements
1-3m, deactivated
Corrects peak distortion

Protects column from nonvolatile components
Permits autoinjection with
narrow-bore columns
HELPFUL HINT: Since the sample is directly deposited into the column, nonvolatile sample
components can accumulate at the head of the column and will degrade efficiency and/or
interact with subsequent injections.
Sample Considerations
Sample preparation is important for
on-column injection because of:
the potential for column overload,

column contamination,
the incompatibility of some solvents

with the stationary phase,
dependence of the initial column

temperature on the boiling point of
the solvent.
Many of the problems associated

with these variables can be resolved
by using a retention gap ahead of the
analytical column.
To view a video on cool on-column installation and

septum replacement, visit www.agilent.com/chem/supplies,
click on How-to Video under the Reference Library.
31
Troubleshooting
The major problems found with cool oncolumn injection are associated with
column overload, solvent/stationary phase
incompatibility, and column contamination.
If the flooded zone after injection is too
long (large injections, poor wettability),
peaks will be broad or split. A retention gap
usually will resolve this problem. Loss of
column efficiency with on-column injection
usually is caused by contamination or
degradation of the stationary phase at the
head of the column. Only columns with an
immobilized stationary phase should be
used with cool on-column injection to
prevent displacement of the stationary

phase by solvents.
Immobilized stationary phases can be
washed to remove contaminants and
renew performance. If column performance
does not improve after washing, cut 0.5m
off the inlet side of the column. If that does
not return column performance, the column
must be replaced and a retention gap
should be used for all further injections of
dirty samples.
Column/Retention Gap Installation Consumables

Item Description
Unit
Part No.
Column nut
2/pk
5181-8830
250 m graphite/Vespel ferrule
10/pk
5181-3323
320 m 0.5 mm graphite/Vespel ferrule
10/pk
5062-3514
250 m retention gap (one 5 m piece)
160-2255-5
160-2325-5
160-2535-5
Quartz deactivated column connector

fits 0.18-0.53 mm
5/pk
5181-3396
NEED MORE HELP?

32
HELPFUL HINT: Sample degradation can

occur with cool on-column injection if
column or retention gap activity is high.
Use only well-deactivated retention gaps
and high quality capillary columns from
Agilent.
6890/5890 Series Cool On-Column Inlet Supplies

Item Description
Unit
Part No.
1a
1b
Manual injection
1c
Cooling tower assembly
1d
Duckbill septum
10/pk
19245-40050
Fused silica syringe needles
6/pk
19091-63000
1c
1d
19320-80625
Syringe barrel for use with

fused-silica needles,10 L
2
3
9301-0658
Common Supplies
3
Spring
Inserts for capillary columns
19245-60760
For 200 m columns (one ring)
19245-20510
For 250 m columns (six rings)
19245-20515
For 320 m columns (five rings)
19245-20525
For 530 m columns (no rings)
19245-20580
For 530 m Al clad columns (four rings)
19245-20780
Ferrule
5080-8853
Column nut
2/pk
5
6
5181-8830
6890 Series GC Cool On-Column Inlet Supplies

Automatic Injection
1a
Septum nut base for 320 mm assembly
19245-80521
1b
Septum nut base for 530 mm assembly
G1545-80520
Advanced green 5 mm through hole septa

BTO 5 mm through hole septa
50/pk
50/pk
5183-4760
5183-4758
5890 Series Cool On-Column Inlet Supplies

Automatic Injection
1a
Septum nut (5890 Series II GC)
19245-80520
1b
19245-20670
Needle guide (for 7673A only)
*For a complete parts breakdown, see the 6890/5890 Series GC Instrument User and/or Service Manuals.
Only a small sampling of inlet supplies are shown here. For a complete selection of inlet supplies,
33
Programmed Temperature Vaporizer (PTV) Inlets

PTV inlets combine the benefits of split,
splitless and on-column inlets. The sample is
usually injected into a cool liner, so syringe
needle discrimination does not occur. Then
the inlet temperature is increased to vaporize
the sample. The user programs vent times
and temperature to achieve the equivalent of
split or splitless transfer of sample vapors to
the column. PTV injection is considered the
most universal sample introduction system
because of its flexibility.
PTV Inlet Procedures/Practices (cold split/splitless modes)

Parameter
Selection/Setting
Rationale
Injection mode
Cold split
For general use

and sample screening
For trace analysis
Cold splitless
Inlet temperature
ramp rate
Adjustable (i.e., 2C/sec

to 12C/sec)
Advantages
no syringe-needle discrimination
minimal inlet discrimination
no special syringe needed
use of large injection volumes
removal of solvent and low boiling
components
trapping of nonvolatile components in liner
split or splitless operation
retention time and area reproducibility
approaching cool on-column injection
Ballistic
PTV inlets are actively cooled before and

during injection by Peltier devices or by
forced gases (air, liquid N2, or liquid CO2).
Cryogenic cooling of the inlet can reduce
inlet temperature enough to thermally
focus gas injections from other sampling
devices in the liner. This is a distinct
advantage of using PTV inlets in
comparison to conventional inlets for
coupling auxiliary sampling devices to
capillary columns.
Post-injection, PTV inlets are heated
using electrical heaters or preheated
compressed air. Depending on design,
inlet temperature ramps are either
ballistic (i.e., ramped to the maximum
temperature at an uncontrolled maximum
rate) or programmable.
Use slower ramp rates for

labile, complex, or large
volume samples
Use faster ramp rates for
most samples
Use faster ramps rates to
shorten splitless purge delay time
Simpler, less expensive
instrumentation
Inlet liner
Straight with silanized wool

Baffled
Packed with an adsorbent
For general use

For labile samples
For focusing gaseous
injections from auxiliary
sampling devices
Injection volume
0.1-1.5L
Use lower volumes for

volatile solvents and fast
ramp rates
Use volumes larger than
1.5L only in solventelimination mode
Sample Injection
technique
Autosampler or manual,
fast or slow
Not critical for cold split

& splitless modes
Oven temperature
10-25C below solvent BP
For proper solvent effect in

splitless mode
For split mode
Sample dependent
Column flow
30-50 cm/sec
Clears inlet faster

Less backflash
Septum purge
1-5mL/min
Minimizes ghosting
Quantification
Any method
Inherently reproducible
Low discrimination in cold
injection modes
Retention gap
1-3m, deactivated
Compensates for extended

flooded zone and solventcolumn incompatibility
To view a video on PTV column installation,

liner installation and silver seal replacement,
visit www.agilent.com/chem/supplies,
34
6890 PTV Inlet

Item
Description
Column ID
Unit
Part No.
Septumless head
G2617-60507
Septum head
G2618-80500
Septum nut
18740-60835
PTV inlet assy
G2617-60506
PTV LCO2 cooling jacket
G2617-60508
PTV LN2 cooling jacket
G2619-60501
Silver seal
Graphpak inlet adapter
5/pk
3
2
5182-9763
0.20 mm
5182-9754
0.25-0.33 mm
5182-9761
0.53 mm
9
5182-9762
Ferrules for
0.20 mm
10/pk
5182-9756
5, 6
Graphpak inlet
0.25 mm
10/pk
5182-9768
0.32 mm
10/pk
5182-9769
7
8
0.53 mm
10/pk
5182-9770
10
Split nut for inlet adapters
5062-3525
11
PTV insulation block
G2617-20510
PTV cryo insulator (not shown)
G2617-60510
Teflon ferrule (needle seal)
5182-9748
Kalrez seal
5182-9759
Valve body
5182-9757
Pressure spring
5182-9758
Viton seal
5182-9775
Sealing element
5182-9760
CO2 Cryo inline filter
3150-0602
Service kit for septumless head

contains Kalrez seal, valve body,
and pressure spring
Graphpak 3D ferrules
5182-9747
Installation tool for 3D ferrules
5/pk
9
10
11
HELPFUL HINT: There are few

choices in liner design for PTV inlets.
However, liner volume and activity are still
key issues to be considered when selecting
among the few available PTV liners. PTV
liners require packing or a modified
surface to hold the liquid sample in place
before and during the vaporizing process.
5182-9749
G2617-80540
PTV Liners
Description
Part No.
PTV Liner Single Baffle, 2 mm id 180 L volume, deactivated, glasswool
5183-2038
PTV Liner Single Baffle, 2 mm id 200 L volume, deactivated
5183-2036
PTV Liner Multi Baffle, 1.5 mm id 150 L volume, deactivated
5183-2037
PTV Liner Fritted Glass, 1.5 mm id 150 L volume, deactivated
5183-2041
35
Septa
The septum isolates the sample flow path
from the outside world. It must provide a
barrier that is readily penetrated by the
injector needle while maintaining internal
pressure without contaminating the
analysis. Septa are generally made of
special high temperature, low-bleed
silicone rubber formulations. Septa should
be replaced regularly to avoid leaks,
decomposition, sample loss, reduced
column or split vent flow, ghost peaks,
and column degradation.
To minimize problems:
use septa with the recommended
temperature range
change septa regularly
install the retainer nut hand tight
use septum purge when available
use autoinjectors
use Agilent dual-taper, conical point
syringe needles
Ferrules
Ferrules seal the connection of the column
or liner to the system. The ideal ferrule
provides a leak-free seal, accommodates
various column outer diameters, seals with
minimum torque, will not stick to the
column or fittings, and will tolerate
temperature cycling.
Installation
Signals that a ferrule is damaged include:
Be sure to install ferrules correctly to avoid

problems:
dont overtighten finger-tighten column

nut, then use wrench to tighten 1/4 turn
maintain cleanliness
bake out ferrules prior to use
background noise from oxygen diffusing

into the system
avoid contamination (i.e., fingerprints,

oils)
column bleed catalyzed by oxygen
sample degradation
loss of sample
inspect used ferrules with magnifier for

cracks, chips, or other damage before
reusing them
increase in detector signal/noise
change ferrules when new columns or

injector/detector parts are installed
poor retention time reproducibility
Liners
Liners are the centerpiece of the inlet
system in which the sample is vaporized
and brought into the gas phase.
The liner should be changed on a regular
basis, and the correct liner must be used
to avoid peak shape degradation, solute
discrimination, poor reproducibility, sample
decomposition, and ghost peaks. Change
liners on a regular basis, as determined by:
previous use pattern
sample cleanliness
chromatographic abnormalities such as

peak shape changes, peak discrimination,
poor reproducibility, sample pyrolysis
36
For a complete selection of inlet

supplies, refer to Agilents
GC Inlet Resource Guide.
Columns
Choosing the right GC column and
following Agilents simple column care
recommendations will maximize GC
column performance and lifetime. In this
section our experts offer practical advice
on how to select, install and store your
GC column, plus give helpful hints about
avoiding thermal and oxygen degradation.
Because GC column contamination is
the primary cause of shortened column
lifetime, weve also included a detailed
discussion about the prevention of nonvolatile and semi-volatile contamination,
as well as appropriate recovery measures.
With our expertise in GC columns and

applications we can quickly assist you
with choosing the right column for your
application, and save you time and money
by helping you protect your GC column
from permanent damage and common
sources of contamination.
Eberhardt Kuhn, Ph.D.
Technical Support Engineer
37
COLUMNS
Column Maintenance
While GC column maintenance is
simple, the frequency and type of
column maintenance that is required
varies due to many system and sample
factors. Instead of simply following a
predefined timetable of maintenance items,

the main focus should be how to obtain
the highest performance and lifetime
from a capillary column. This depends on
choosing the right column, correct
Column Selection
Choose the Column that offers the best
longevity:
Use low-bleed columns whenever

possible.
Choose the least polar column that

provides the best resolution for the most
difficult separation.
Use more polar phases when difficult

isomer separations are required. (Choose
a more polar phase when you must, but
try to make it the least polar column that
will do the job.)
Use most favorable dimensions to enable

required separation while optimizing
temperature ranges.
installation/system setup, and avoiding

the primary factors that cause column
performance degradation (breakage,
thermal damage, oxygen damage, chemical
damage and contamination).
Description
Part No.
DB-1ms, 0.25mm i.d., 30m, 0.25m
122-0132
HP-5ms, 0.25mm i.d., 30m, 0.25m
19091S-433
DB-XLB, 0.25mm i.d., 30m, 0.25m
122-1232
DB-35ms, 0.25mm i.d., 30m, 0.25m
122-3832
HP-INNOWax, 0.25mm i.d.,

30m, 0.25m
19091N-133
Column Installation & Setup

The first step in obtaining optimal
column performance and lifetime is
proper installation:
NEED MORE HELP?

38
Choose the appropriate size and

material ferrule for the column,
injector and detector type.
Avoid re-using ferrules.
Use an appropriate column cutting

tool such as a ceramic wafer or
diamond tipped scribe.
Make sure column ends are

cleanly cut and free of particulate
matter before installing into the
injector and detector.
Install the column the appropriate

distance into the injector and detector
as specified by the GC manufacturer.
The column should be placed on

a column hanger and no portion of
the capillary tubing should touch the
oven walls.
Verify that all fittings are leak-free and

the carrier gas is oxygen-free before
heating the oven.
COLUMNS
Column Installation & Setup continued
Bad
Good
Example of column cuts
Check the installation and set the

linear velocity by injecting a non-retained
compound.
Condition the column as specified in the

literature provided with each column.
Description
Part No.
Ceramic wafer (4/pk)
5181-8836
20x Magnifier
430-1020
General Purpose Graphite ferrule

(0.5mm ID, for column IDs 0.32mm)
10/pk
5080-8853
General Purpose Graphite ferrule

(1.0mm ID, for 0.45-0.53mm
ID columns) 10/pk
5080-8773
Gas leak detector 115V

Gas leak detector 220V (US only)
5182-9646
5182-9648
Causes of Performance Degradation

Column Breakage
Prevention
Fused silica columns can break wherever

there are small scratches or abrasions in
the protective polyimide coating.
Continuous heating and cooling of the
oven, vibrations caused by the oven
fan as well as being wound on a circular
cage all place stress on the tubing.
While under these stresses, flaws
will propagate until breakage occurs.
NOTE: Larger diameter columns

(0.45- 0.53mm id) are more prone
to breakage.
Avoid scratches and abrasions by not

exposing the column to sharp edges such
as column hangers and tags, metal edges
in the GC oven, column cutters and other
miscellaneous items on the lab bench.
Avoid winding or bending the column
too tightly.
Recovery
If a broken column has been heated,

damage to the stationary phase is very
likely. Discard the back of the column
(the column half without carrier gas).
Trim 6 inches off of the end of the
column and reinstall.
If the broken column has not been

heated, connect the two pieces with
a low volume union. No more than
2-3 unions should be installed for
one column.
Description
Part No.
Fused Silica Union,

Universal 2-way
(5/pk)
705-0905
Quartz deactivated
column connector
(5/pk)
5181-3396
Polyimide Sealing
resin (5 grams) 500-1200
This is a small sampling of the many GC columns and parts. For a complete selection,
39
COLUMNS
Thermal Damage
Oxygen Damage
Prevention
Exceeding a columns upper temperature

limit results in accelerated degradation of
the stationary phase and tubing surface.
This results in the premature onset of
excessive column bleed, peak tailing for
active compounds and/or loss of efficiency
(resolution).
Oxygen is an enemy to all capillary GC

columns. Constant exposure to oxygen
does not damage the column at or near
ambient temperatures; however, severe
damage occurs as the column temperature
increases. A leak in the carrier gas flow
path (e.g., gas lines, fittings, injector, septa)
is the most common source of oxygen
exposure. As the column is heated, very
rapid degradation of the stationary phase
occurs. This results in the premature onset
of excessive column bleed, peak tailing for
(resolution).
Prevention
Do not exceed the columns specified

upper temperature limits:
Isothermal limit: temperature that
the column can be held at for an
indefinite time
Programmed limit: maximum column
temperature; column should only be
held there for about 5-10 minutes
NOTE: Momentary exposure to oxygen
such as an injection of air or removing

the septum nut for a short period of
time is not a problem.
Set the GC maximum oven temperature

function at or a few degrees above the
temperature limit of the column. With two
columns in the oven be sure to set the
maximum temperature to the temperature
limit of the column with the lowest value.
Maintain an oxygen and leak free

system by:
performing periodic leak checks
changing septa regularly
using high quality carrier gases
installing and maintaining oxygen traps
changing gas cylinders before they are
completely empty
Recovery
Perform column bakeout as described
under thermal damage recovery.
NOTE: Oxygen damage occurs very rapidly.
In less severe cases, the column may still

be functional but at a reduced performance
level. In more severe cases, the column is
irreversibly damaged.
Recovery
Disconnect column from detector
Heat the column 8-16 hours at the

isothermal limit
Remove 10-15 cm from the column end
Reinstall into the detector and condition

as usual
NOTE: Thermal damage cannot be reversed.
The column usually does not return to its

original performance; however, it is often
still functional. The life of the column will
be reduced after thermal damage.
40
HELPFUL HINT: Install a moisture trap

upstream of the oxygen trap to increase
the oxygen trap lifetime.
Description
Part No.
FlowTracker 2000 Flowmeter and Leak Detector
5183-4780
Big Oxygen Trap (750 cc, 1/8 fitting)
BOT-2
Big Moisture Trap (750 cc, 1/8 fitting)
BMT-2
Big Universal Trap (Combination Trap)

(750cc, 1/8 fitting, He)
RMSH-2
Advanced Green Septa (11mm, 50/pk)
5183-4759
COLUMNS
Chemical Damage
GUARD COLUMN
Inorganic or mineral acids and bases are

the primary sources of chemical damage
to stationary phases. Most of these acids
and bases have low volatility and
accumulate at the front of the column. If
allowed to remain, the acids or bases
damage the stationary phase. The only
organic compounds that have been
reported to chemically damage stationary
phases are perfluoroacids and these need
to be present at high levels (e.g., 1% or
higher). This results in the premature onset
of excessive column bleed, peak tailing for
(resolution).
A guard column is a piece of fused silica tubing attached with a union to

the front of the analytical column with the following characteristics:
NOTE: Hydrochloric acid and ammonium
hydroxide are the least harmful of the group

as both tend to follow any water that is
present in the sample. Thus, if HCl or NH4OH
are present in a sample, minimizing water
retention will render these compounds
relatively harmless to the column.
Material should be deactivated fused silica tubing to minimize solute

interactions.
Length should be from 1-10 meters. Typical lengths of 5-10 meters allow
substantial trimming before the entire guard column has to replaced.
Internal diameter should be the same as the column. Guard columns

with larger ids can be used.
A low volume union should be used to attach the tubing to the column.
Glass pressfit unions are inexpensive and easy to install. DuraGuard
columns offer the guard column built into the analytical column as a
single piece of fused silica, eliminating the need for unions.
Guard columns are used to minimize the effect of non-volatile residues

on the analysis. The non-volatile residues deposit in the guard column and
not in the analytical column. This greatly reduces the interaction between
the residues and the sample. Periodic cutting or trimming of the guard
column is usually required upon a build-up of residues. The onset of peak
shape problems is the usual indicator that the guard column needs
trimming or changing.
Prevention
Perform sample preparation to remove
inorganic acids and bases from the
sample
Install guard column and trim frequently
If acids or bases must be used choose an
organic alternative or HCl or NH4OH
Recovery
Guard Column
INJECTOR
DETECTOR
Remove 0.5 to 1 meter from the front

of the column
Severe cases may require the removal
of 5 or more meters
Column
Guard Column
Column Contamination
Column contamination is the most common
problem encountered in capillary GC.
Unfortunately, it mimics most other
chromatographic problems and is often
misdiagnosed. A contaminated column is
usually not damaged, but it may be
rendered unusable. There are two basic
types of contaminants: nonvolatile and
semivolatile.
Union
Guard column installation instructions are available at www.agilent.com/chem. Click

on Consumer Products.
This is a small sampling of the many GC columns and parts. For a complete selection,
41
COLUMNS
Nonvolatile Contaminants
Nonvolatile contaminants or residues do
not elute and accumulate in the column
(most often confined to the first few
meters). The column becomes coated with
these residues which interfere with the
proper partitioning of solutes in and out
of the stationary phase. Also, the residues
may interact with active solutes resulting
in peak adsorption problems (evident as
peak tailing or loss of peak size). Active
solutes are those containing a hydroxyl
(-OH) or amine (-NH) group, and some
thiols (-SH) and aldehydes.
Prevention
Perform sample cleanup to remove

nonvolatile materials from the sample
Use injection port liners packed with

glass wool (may not be feasible when
analyzing active compounds)
Description
Part No.
SPE product guide
Pub#5988-2685EN
Split/Splitless Inlet liner: glass wool,

taper, deactivated (5/pk)
5183-4712
Splitless Inlet liner: single-taper,

no glass wool, deactivated (5/pk)
5183-4695
Quartz deactivated column

connector (5/pk)
5181-3396
Polyimide sealing resin (5 grams)
500-1200
Deactivated Fused silica,

10m, 0.53mm i.d.
160-2535-10
Deactivated Fused silica,

10m, 0.25mm i.d.
160-2255-10
Capillary column rinse kit
430-3000
Install a guard column and trim regularly
Recovery
Do not bakeout the column
Front End Maintenance:

Clean or change the injection port liner
are usually responsible for many baseline

problems (instability, wander, drift, ghost
peaks, etc.).
Clean out the injector

Cut off typically 0.5 to 1 meter of the
front of the column
Turn the column around (install detector

end into injector)
Solvent rinse the column
Cut the column in half and use the back

half (detector side).
Prevention
Perform sample cleanup to remove

semi-volatile materials from the sample
Increase the final temperature of the

GC run (not to exceed the temperature
limit of the column)
Change septa regularly
Recovery
Semivolatile Contaminants
Semivolatile contaminants or residues
accumulate in the column, but eventually
elute. Hours to days may elapse before they
completely leave the column. Like
nonvolatile residues, they may cause peak
shape and size problems and, in addition,
42
Bakeout the column: limit 1-2 hours

(excess baking may polymerize some
contamination and reduce column
lifetime)
Solvent rinse the column
Column Storage
Capillary columns should be stored in their
original box when removed from the GC.
Place GC septa over the ends to prevent
debris from entering the tubing. Upon
reinstallation of the column, the column
ends need to be trimmed by 2-4 cm to
ensure that a small piece of septa is not
lodged in the column.
If a column is left in a heated GC, there
should always be carrier gas flow through
the column. The carrier gas flow can be
turned off only if the oven, injector, detector
and transfer lines are turned off (i.e., not
heated). Without carrier gas flow, damage
to the heated portion of the column occurs.
Detectors
Most detectors require simple but periodic
cleaning to maintain peak performance.
This is especially true for highly sensitive
GC detectors. Without routine detector
maintenance, GC system performance will
deteriorate and can cause detector failure.
Detailed procedures on how to clean,
maintain and replace common detectors,
including FID, TCD, NPD, ECD, and FPD are
summarized in this section. Also included
are special handling techniques and
specific recommendations to maximize
specific detector operations. For example,
learn how to resolve flame ignition
problems associated with your flame
photometric detector and test electron
capture detectors for radioactivity leaks.
GC detectors are highly sensitive

systems that are often compromised
by various types of contamination. By
implementing some recommended
detector maintenance routines, you
can minimize instrument downtime
and keep your GC system working at
peak efficiency.
Bernhard Rothweiler
Applications Chemist
Only a small sampling of FID supplies are shown here. For a complete selection of FID supplies,
43
DETECTORS
Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)

The TCD compares the thermal
conductivities of two gas flows pure
carrier gas (also called the reference gas)
and carrier gas plus sample components
(also called column effluent).
Filament Maintenance
The primary maintenance for a TCD
involves the filament. Most procedures
involve improving filament life or keep the
filament from becoming damaged or
contaminated.
A constant presence of oxygen can
permanently damage filaments through
oxidative processes. The most common
source of oxygen is elevated levels in the
carrier or makeup gas or a leak near the
detector. Oxygen traps are recommended
for the carrier and makeup gases to reduce
oxygen levels. Proper column installation
techniques and regular leak checks
(especially after column installation) help
to keep leak problems to a minimum.
The damage caused by oxygen is more
severe at high filament currents.
Chemically active sample components
such as acids and halogenated compounds
may attack and damage the filaments.
Avoiding these compounds when possible
increases filament life. Turning off or
substantially reducing the filament current
when the TCD is not in use also prolongs
filament life.
Increasing Filament Lifetime

Increased filament lifetime will result if the
following startup process is used:
1. Purge the detector with carrier and
makeup gas for 10-15 minutes before
turning on the filaments. This prevents
oxidation of the filaments due to the
presence of oxygen that has diffused into
the cell under no flow conditions.
2. Turn on the filaments at the lowest
possible current setting, then increase
the filament current in several
increments to the desired value. This
reduces the power surge upon current
introduction and prolongs filament

lifetime.
Cell Contamination
Cell contamination is a problem when a
lower detector temperature is used to
improve sensitivity. Also, low filament
currents promote contamination since
the filament is maintained at a lower
temperature at lower currents. If the cell
becomes contaminated, a solvent flush
of the detector may help to remove the
condensed material.
Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD) Supplies

Description
Unit
Part No.
6890/6850/5890 Common TCD Supplies

TCD replacement cell (6890/6850 only)
TCD cap column adapter seal
G1532-60675
10/pk
TCD cap column adapter
18740-20950
18740-20960
Graphite ferrules, 1.0 mm id
10/pk
5080-8773
Graphite ferrules, 0.5 mm id
10/pk
5080-8853
Capillary column nut, for 6890
2/pk
5181-8830
Capillary column nut, for 6850
2/pk
5183-4732
TCD packed column adapter (6890/6850 only)
G1532-20710
TCD chemical sample kit, 3 ampoules,

0.5 mL, 5 solution of 0.3% C14, C15, and C16, normal
alkanes in hexane
18711-60060
5890 TCD Supplies
44
Makeup gas adapter, TCD
19232-80550
TCD column adapter, 1/8 to 1/4 in. glass
19302-80020
TCD replacement cartridge
19232-60676
DETECTORS
Solvent Flush Procedure

1. Cool the cell to room temperature and
remove the column.
2. Place a septum in a nut or fitting
assembly that fits onto the detector
entrance.
3. Place the nut or assembly on the
detector fitting and tighten. Verify
the presence of makeup gas flow.
4. Inject 20-100 L volumes of toluene or
benzene into the detector through the
septum. Inject a total volume of at
least 1mL of solvent. Do not inject
halogenated solvents such as methylene
chloride and chloroform into the detector.
5. After the final injection, allow makeup

gas to flow for 10 minutes or more.
Slowly raise the temperature of the cell
to 20-30C above the normal operating
temperature.
6. After 30 minutes, decrease the
temperature to the normal value and
install the column as usual.
Thermal Cleaning
The TCD can become contaminated with
deposits from such things as column bleed
or dirty samples. A wandering baseline,
increased noise level, or changes in
response on a checkout chromatogram all
indicate contamination. Thermal cleaning,
or bakeout (heating the detector block to
evaporate the contaminant), should be
performed only after you have confirmed
that the carrier gas and the flow system

components are leak-free and contaminantfree.
Watch out for decreased sensitivity caused
by samples that react with the filament,
originating from oxygen-contaminated
carrier gas, leaks in plumbing, or column
bleeding. Samples with active components,
such as acids and halogenated compounds
can chemically attack the filament as
well. Also, sample condensation will
contaminate the detector cell if the
temperature is too low.
Some types of contaminants can be
removed by temperature bakeout. Also,
in non-modulated designs, wandering
baselines due to temperature variation can
be corrected by making sure the detector
temperature remains constant.
Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detector (NPD)

Bead Maintenance
NPDs are temperamental and require
frequent maintenance. Small changes
in any of a number of parameters can
significantly change the performance
characteristics of an NPD. The bead
requires the most maintenance. It needs
to be changed frequently, thus a spare is
a necessity.
The beads have to be kept dry which limits
their storage life to about six months.
When a new bead is installed, slowly raise
the detector temperature and bead current.
Rapid heating can crack or break the bead
especially if it has been stored under humid
conditions. It has been observed that
higher hydrogen flows and bead currents

decrease bead life. If the NPD is not in use,
the hydrogen flow and bead current should
be reduced or turned off to increase bead
life. Make sure there is some type of gas
flow in a heated detector or when there is
current to the bead.
Bead Life
To extend the life of the bead:
Use the lowest practical adjust offset or

bead voltage.
Run clean samples and keep the

inlet/liner clean to minimize
contamination.
Turn off the bead when not in use.
Keep the detector temperature high

(320 335C).
Turn off the hydrogen flow during solvent

peaks and between runs.
If the NPD is off for an extended period

of time in a high humidity environment,
water may accumulate in the detector.
To evaporate this water, set the detector
temperature to 100C and maintain it
for 30 minutes. Then set the detector
temperature to 150C and maintain it
for another 30 minutes.
45
DETECTORS
Gas Flow
Cleaning & Replacement
The hydrogen, air and makeup gas flows

should be measured frequently. They can
drift over time or be changed unintentionally
without knowledge of it occurring. Each gas
flow should be measured independently to
obtain the most accurate values. NPDs are
very sensitive to changes in the gas flows
and consistent flows are necessary to
maintain performance levels.
The NPD requires periodic cleaning. In

most cases, this only involves the collector
and the jet. Agilent provides brushes and
wires that simplify the cleaning of all
detector parts (see FID Supplies on page
53). The brushes are used to dislodge
particulates clinging to the metal surfaces.
A fine wire is used to clean the jet opening
of particulates. Do not force too large a
wire or probe into the jet opening or the
opening will become distorted. A loss of
sensitivity or poor peak shape may result if
the opening is deformed. The various parts
can be ultrasonicated after cleaning with
a brush. Eventually the jet needs to be
replaced, so it is strongly recommended
to have spare jets on hand.
Gas Purity
Because of its high sensitivity, the NPD
requires very pure gases (99.999% or
better). We strongly recommend that
moisture and hydrocarbon traps be used
on the carrier gas and all detector gases,
including the detector hydrogen, air, and
makeup gases. Dirty gases will not only
give poor chromatographic performance,
but will shorten the bead life as well.
Over time, residue from the bead or sample

can build up in the collector and cause
baseline problems. You should clean the
collector after you have changed the bead
two or three times.
The metal C-rings wear slightly with each
assembly and disassembly. After several
assemblies and disassemblies (five or
more), the rings may not seal effectively,
causing an erratic baseline. A ceramic
insulator and seal kit is available. Always
cool the detector to near-ambient when
changing seals and insulators.
Because there is no flame in the NPD, the
jet does not collect silica and soot as does
the FID jet. Although you can clean the jet,

it is usually more practical to simply replace
dirty jets with new ones. If you do clean the
jet, use the cleaning wire, taking care not
to damage the inside of the jet. You can
also use a sonicator bath to clean the jet.
Contaminants
Some chemical problems can also arise
when using the NPD. Because it is a trace
detector, be careful not to contaminate the
analytical system.
Glassware
Glassware must be very clean. Phosphate
detergents should be avoided, so acid
washing of glassware followed by distilled
water and solvent rinsing is recommended.
Solvents
Solvents should be checked for purity.
Chlorinated solvents and silanizing
reagents can decrease the useful lifetime
of the alkali source; excess reagent should
be removed prior to injection, if possible.
Other Contamination Sources

Phosphate-containing leak detectors,
phosphoric acid-treated columns or glass
wool, polyimide-coated columns, or
nitrogen-containing liquid phases can add
noise to the system and should be avoided.
NPD Jets
Description
Capillary jet (0.011 in./0.29 mm id tip)

(6890 only, dedicated)
Length (mm)
Part No.
48
G1531-80560
Capillary 0.53 mm jet (0.011 in. id tip)
61.5
19244-80560
Packed (0.018 in. id tip)
63.5
18710-20119
6890/5890 Adaptable
46
DETECTORS
Nitrogen-Phosphorous Detector (NPD) Supplies

Item
Description
Part No.
6890 NPD Supplies

1
Screws, M3 x 0.5 x 8 mm (Pozidriv)
0515-0655
NPD white ceramic bead assembly*
G1534-60570
NPD black ceramic bead assembly**
5183-2007
Lid weldment
G1534-80510
Metal C-ring, top
0905-2580
Alumina insulator, upper
G1534-40020
Collector funnel
G1534-20530
Alumina insulator, lower
G1534-40030
Metal C-ring bottom and top
0905-1284
Screw, M4 x 10 mm
0515-2495
10
J-Clamp
1400-0015
11
Screw, M4 x 10 mm
0515-2495
12
NPD interconnect assembly
G1534-60610
13
Mounting pallet
G1531-40020
14
Jets (see page 54)
15
Base weldment, Capillary NPD
G1534-80500
Base Weldment, Packed NPD
G1534-80540
Lid stop
G1534-20590
NPD Ceramic Insulator Kit

includes items 4, 5, 7, and 8
5182-9722
16
17
Column adapters for packed NPD
18
9
10
11
12
4
5
6
13
14
15
16
17
18
19234-60720
5890 NPD Supplies

NPD collector (NPD bead)
19234-60540
Recoating kit, sufficient for 10 collectors
5080-8872
Detector Trap Replacement Kit
19231-60790
*This bead is more sensitive but exhibits some tailing for phosphorous compounds.
Quantity discounts available.
**The black bead is potentially a little less sensitive but does not exhibit peak tailing and
typically has longer lifetime.
For a complete selection of NPD supplies,

47
DETECTORS
Electron-Capture Detector (ECD)

Agilent provides two types of electron
capture detectors. The regular detector
(ECD) has a larger internal volume
(approximately 10 times) than the microcell detector (-ECD). These two types can
be distinguished by the top cover of the
detector the ECD has a solid cover and
the -ECD has a perforated cover.
Thermal Cleaning
If your baseline is noisy or the output
value is abnormally high and you have
determined that these problems are not
being caused by leaks in the GC system,
you may have contamination in the
detector from column bleed. To remove
contamination, you should perform a
thermal cleaning (bakeout) of the detector.
Warning: Detector disassembly and/or
cleaning procedures other than thermal
should be performed only by personnel
trained and licensed appropriately to
handle radioactive materials. Trace
amounts of radioactive 63Ni may be
removed during other procedures,
causing possible hazardous exposure
to and x-radiation.
Radioactivity Leak Test

Electron capture detectors must be tested
for radioactive leakage at least every six
months. Records of tests and results must
be maintained for possible inspection by
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and/or
the responsible local agency. More frequent
tests may be conducted when necessary.
The procedure used is a wipe test. A
wipe test kit is supplied with each new
detector. Refer to the information card
supplied in the Wipe Test Kit for
instructions on performing the test.
Gas Purity
For successful EC detection, its important
that the carrier and purge gases are very
clean and dry (99.9995%). Moisture, oxygen,
or other contaminants can be responsible
for improved sensitivity, but at a cost of
linear range. Always precondition the
column before connection to the detector.
ECD Warnings
Although beta particles at this energy level have little penetrating power the
surface layer of the skin or a few sheets of paper will stop most of them they
may be hazardous if the isotope is ingested or inhaled. For this reason the cell
must be handled with care. Radioactive leak tests must be performed at the
required intervals, the inlet and outlet fittings must be capped when the detector
is not in use, corrosive chemicals must not be introduced into the detector, and
the effluent from the detector must be vented outside the laboratory environment.
48
DETECTORS
Electron-Capture Detector (ECD) Supplies

Item Description
Unit
Part No.
6890 ECD Supplies

ECD makeup gas adapter*
G1533-80565
19234-60720
5890 ECD Supplies

1
Vespel graphite ferrule, 1/4 in. id
10/pk
5080-8774
Vespel/graphite 85%/15%
ferrule, 1/4 in. id
10/pk
0100-1331
Tubing nut, 1/4 in. brass
10/pk
5180-4105
ECD column adapter, 1/4 to 1/8 in. metal
19301-80530
Makeup gas adapter for micro ECD adapter
G2397-80520
Makeup gas adapter, ECD, new style
19233-80565
ECD Packed for 1/4 in. Glass Columns
7
6
6890/5890 Common ECD Supplies

6
5, 4
ECD fused silica liner (new style)
19233-20625
ECD adapter fused silica liner micro ECD
G2397-20540
Stainless steel cap for ECD makeup gas adapter

(new style and micro ECD)
19233-20755
ECD Make up Gas Adapter
ECD Performance evaluation sample lindane and

aldrin (0.033 ppm) in Isooctane 3 ampoules, 0.5 mL 18713-60040
ECD wipe test kit
18713-60050
*Includes one each of P/N 19233-20625 and P/N 19233-20755.
NEED MORE HELP?

49
DETECTORS
Flame Photometric Detector (FPD)

Maintenance
high temperatures are used
Flame Photometric Detectors require

minimal maintenance to keep them
performing at satisfactory levels. The
hydrogen, air and makeup gas flows should
be measured occasionally. They can drift
over time or be changed unintentionally
without knowledge of it occurring. Each gas
flow should be measured independently to
obtain the most accurate values.
defective signal boards are present
Cleaning & Parts Replacement

The FPD requires periodic cleaning. In
most cases, this only involves the jet, and
less frequently, the filter. Agilent provides
brushes and wires that simplify the
cleaning of all detector parts (see FID
Supplies on page 53). The brushes are used
to dislodge particulates clinging to the
metal surfaces. A fine wire is used to clean
the jet opening of particulates. Do not force
too large a wire or probe into the jet
opening or the opening may become
distorted. A loss of sensitivity, poor peak
shape, and/or lighting difficulties may
result if the opening is deformed. The filter
or any of the window parts should be
handled gently. Scratches or other surface
deformities reduce the amount of light
passing through the filter, thus reducing
response. The filter and related parts
should be clean and free from fingerprints.
The Photo Multiplier Tube needs periodic
replacement. The PMT is defective and
needs to be rebuilt or replaced if:
high voltage is on and the flame is lit
low or no signal and/or noise not

attributed to any other source such as
bad cables are observed
light leaks occur
50
High detector temperatures reduce the

PMT life. When not in use, turn off the PMT
to maximize its usable lifetime. Some PMTs
may have a shelf life and should not be
stored for prolonged periods before use.
Column bleed and/or effluent can
contaminate the first quartz window (heat
shield) nearest the detector module. Dust,
fingerprints, and atmospheric contaminants
can dirty both quartz windows, the filter,
and/or the photomultiplier tube window.
Contamination anywhere along the light
path between flame and PMT can reduce
detector sensitivity.
If a response problem is encountered
(sensitivity, noise, selectivity) the FPD jet
should be inspected for deposits and, if
necessary, cleaned or replaced. To properly
service the jet, the detector module should
be removed from the instrument, and
followed by appropriate service (see jet
cleaning procedure on page 53).
Occasionally, the transfer line fused silica
liner between the column and FPD module
must be inspected, cleaned and/or replaced.
Increase the air supply pressure to the

pneumatics module. This makes the
flame easier to light but does not affect
the air flow rate setpoint.
If the flame doesnt light at all, check the

glow plug circuit. Observe the visual
display, which will momentarily go to
greater than 65500 counts when the
flame lights. If the display doesnt
change, check the pin connections at the
printed circuit board, the lead connection
on the glow plug and the appropriate 5A
fuse on the GC main circuit board.
The flame is easier to light at higher

detector temperatures.
Under some operating conditions, the

flame may be more easily lit with the
rubber drip tube removed. After lighting
the flame, reinstall the drip tube.
If the flame still wont light, there could

be a large leak in the system. This results
in measured flow rates being different
from actual flow rates, causing non-ideal
ignition conditions. Thoroughly leak
check the whole system.
Flame Conditions & Gas Flows

Flame Ignition Problems
If the FPD flame wont light or stay lit:
Be sure there is a problem. Ignition is best

confirmed by holding a mirror or shiny
surface near the aluminum exhaust tube,
with the rubber drip tube removed, and
observe condensation if the flame is lit.
Check Lit Offset. If it is zero, autoignition
is turned off. If it is too large, the GC will
not know that the flame is lit and will
shut down the detector.
The flame conditions are critical to

successful operation. Since the detection
zone is above the flame, the gas flows and
jet diameter must be optimized so that
components burned (activated) in the flame
will emit in the detection zone.
Gas flows are also critical for optimized
selectivity and sensitivity. The most critical
parameters are the hydrogen/air or
hydrogen/oxygen ratio, and the total gas
flow, which effects flame temperature.
DETECTORS
6890/5890 FPD Supplies

Item Description
Exit tube assembly
Nut, brass, 1/4 in.
Unit
Part No.
19256-60700
10/pk
5180-4105
2
3
Weldment, block
19256-80560
O-ring, ignitor, Kalrez
0905-1102
Spacer, ignitor
19256-20590
Glow plug
0854-0141
Ignitor cable assembly (6890 only)
G1535-60600
Gasket, heat shield
19256-80040
10
Window, first heat shield
19256-80030
11
Disk, heat shield
19256-20580
12
Coupling, SS
19256-20550
14
Screw, M3 x 12 (4 required)
0515-0911
15
Clamp
19256-00090
16
O-ring, inner window
17
Window, second heat shield
18
O-ring, outer window
19
Flange adapter
19256-20510
20
Flange ring
19256-00200
21
O-ring, Viton, 1.239 in. id
10
11
12
8
13
14
15
16
17
18
12/pk
12/pk
12/pk
5061-5891
5061-5890
Adapter weldment, capillary
19256-80570
Start-up kit (5890 only)
19256-60500
12/pk
5061-5867
Liner/ferrule kit
19256-60590
Sulfur filter
19256-80000
Phosphorus filter
19256-80010
Kalrez O-ring, size 2-002
0905-1101
Kalrez O-ring, size 2-011
0905-1103
12/pk
FPD Performance Evaluation Sample: Solution of

20 ng/mL (20 ppm) dodecanethiol and
tributylphosphate in isooctane, 3 ampoules
21
19256-80060
19256-80590
Fluorocarbon Elastomer O-ring,

brown, 0.926 in. id
20
5061-5886
Adapter weldment, 1/8 in. columns
FPD O-ring (5890 only)
19
HELPFUL HINT: Install the correct optical

filter, depending on the choice of Sulfur or
Phosphorus mode. For Sulfur Mode, use
the 393 nanometer filter. For Phosphorus
Mode, use the 525 nanometer filter.
5061-5889
19305-60580
51
DETECTORS
Flame Ionization Detector (FID)

Flame Ionization Detectors require little
maintenance to keep them performing at
satisfactory levels. The primary task is to
occasionally measure hydrogen, air and
makeup gas flows. They can drift over time
or be changed unintentionally without
knowledge of it occurring. Each gas flow
should be independently measured to
obtain the most accurate values.
Igniter Glow Plug Assembly
Collector Assembly
Collector Body
Condensation
Since the FID combustion process
results in water formation, the detector
temperature must be kept above 100C to
prevent condensation. Such condensation,
especially when combined with chlorinated
solvents or samples, causes corrosion and
sensitivity loss.
FID Jets
Hardware Problems
FID Ferrules
If the flame goes out or will not light:
Check the column flow rate. It may be too

high. Decrease the flow rate or pressure.
Switch to a more restrictive column
(longer or with a smaller id). If you must
use a large id column, turn off the carrier
flow long enough to allow the FID to light.
Check for partially or completely
plugged jet.
Check that the right type of jet is installed

for the column you are using.
Injecting large volumes of aromatic

solvent can cause the flame to go out.
Switch to a nonaromatic solvent.
The lit offset value may be too low or too

high. Adjust the value.
Cleaning & Replacement

Even with normal use, deposits develop in
the jet and detector (usually white silica
from column bleed or black carbonaceous
soot). These deposits reduce sensitivity
and cause chromatographic noise and
spikes. Although you can clean the jet, it is
usually more practical to replace dirty jets
with new ones. If you do clean the jet, be
careful not to scratch the jet internally;
scratches will ruin the jet.
FID Cleaning Kit
Plugged FID jet
52
DETECTORS
Flame Ionization Detector (FID) Supplies

Jet Cleaning Procedure
Description
Unit
Part No.
(using Agilents FID Cleaning Kit #9301-0985)
1. Run a cleaning wire through the top of

the jet. Run it back and forth a few times
until it moves smoothly. Be careful not to
scratch the jet. (Do not force too large a
wire or probe into the jet opening or the
opening will become distorted. A loss of
sensitivity, poor peak shape and/or
lighting difficulties may result if the
opening is deformed.)
2. Fill an ultrasonic cleaning bath with
aqueous detergent, and place the jet in
the bath. Sonicate for five minutes.
3. Use a jet reamer to clean the inside of
the jet.
4. Sonicate again for five minutes.
NOTE: From this point on, handle the parts
6890/6850 Supplies
Collector insulator
G1531-20700
Collector body
G1531-20690
FID collector assembly*
G1531-60690
Detector insulation assembly
G1531-20700
FID ignitor cable
G1531-60680
Collector Housing
G1531-20740
5890 Supplies
Collector assembly*
19231-60690
Upper collector insulator
19231-20970
Collector body
19231-20960
Hastelloy collector
19231-21080
Lower collector insulator
19231-20950
only with forceps!
6890/6850/5890 Common Supplies
5. Remove the jet from the bath and rinse it

thoroughly, first with hot tap water and
then with a small amount of GC-grade
methanol.
PTFE chimney (optional)
19231-21050
Collector nut
19231-20940
6. Blow the jet dry with a burst of the

compressed air or nitrogen, and then
place the jet on a paper towel and allow
it to air dry.
Ignitor castle
19231-20910
Hastelloy Ignitor Castle
19231-21060
Ignitor glow plug assembly
19231-60680
Spring washer
FID collector cleaning brush
10/pk
2/pk
5181-3311
8710-1346
FID retainer nut wrench

(5880, 5890, 6890)
19301-00150
1/4 in. Nut Driver for FID jet-drilled shaft
8710-1561
FID flow measuring insert
19301-60660
O-rings for flow measuring insert
12/pk
FID Performance evaluation sample kit,

0.03% C14, C15, and C16 normal
alkanes in hexane
5080-4978
18710-60170
Jet cleaning wire for 0.03 in. id jet
5/pk
5180-4150
Jet cleaning wire for Series 530 mm

and 0.018 in. id jet
5/pk
5180-4152
FID cleaning kit
9301-0985
*Assembly Contains: Gasket, Ignitor Castle, Ignitor Glow Plug Assembly, Spring Washer-Wavy
Collector, Housing, Mount, Nut, Body, Spanner Nut, Insulator (upper and lower)
Only a small sampling of FID supplies are shown here. For a complete selection,
53
DETECTORS
FID Jets
Description
Length (mm)
Part No.
48
G1531-80560
High-temperature jet (SimDIS 0.018 in. id tip) 48
G1531-80620
Jets for capillary dedicated FID (6890 only)

Capillary jet (0.011 in./0.29 mm id tip)
Adaptable FID (6890/6850/5890)

Capillary 0.53 mm jet (0.011 in. id tip)
61.5
19244-80560
63.5
18710-20119
63.5
18789-80070
0.53 mm high temp (0.018 in. id tip) for SimDIS 61.5
19244-80620
Agilent FID Jets (from top to bottom): Dedicated

capillary, Adaptable capillary, Adaptable packed
HELPFUL HINT: Different size jets are available to optimize flame shape for capillary
columns, or reduce contamination build-up for high molecular weight eluates. Usually,
small bore jets produce the greatest signal, but can plug up or contaminate more easily
relative to large jets, so compromise may be necessary.
To view a video on FID column installation, jet replacement,

collector maintenance, or ignitor replacement,
visit www.agilent.com/chem/supplies,
54
Service & Support

Every Agilent GC system is backed by a
wealth of knowledge, all at your fingertips.
Tap our 35 years of instrument expertise
and applications knowledge by phone, in
person, in print, or on-line. Contact us for
a variety of service and repair options from
telephone support, on-site repair, even
product exchange. Take advantage
of our industry leading training courses
to help increase the overall knowledge in
your lab.
Any way you want, you get the full support
of Agilent expertise and service with every
GC system.
Of course we have all the right

consumables and supplies you need
to keep your Agilent GC system
running at peak performance. But it
doesnt stop there. We want to
extend our knowledge. Our expertise.
And our technical support.
Hwee-Sian Tan
Application Manager
55
SERVICE & SUPPORT
Expert Training, Service & Support

Expert Training from the GC Experts
GC System Operation Training
Well trained lab professionals keep

productivity high, minimize the number
of errors and reruns, and expand
chromatography capabilities. With expert
training that gives you on-site expertise
for troubleshooting and maintenance,
your lab will run at peak performance.
Course #H5308A introduces the

fundamental concepts of gas
chromatography and the operation of
the Agilent 6890 GC using the Agilent
ChemStation for GC and capillary columns.
This five-day hands-on course is designed
for the new GC operator who is responsible
for routine sample analysis. It covers
everything from inlets, columns, and
detectors to data analysis and reporting.
For more information on all Agilent Training
offerings, visit www.agilent.com/chem and
select Education.
GC Training
Agilents training courses for gas
chromatography helps new and
experienced lab professionals learn
proper and efficient ways to use
analytical instruments and software.
These ISO-registered courses also target
those who want to broaden or sharpen
their troubleshooting and maintenance,
and system operation skills. Contact
Agilent today for more information about
our training and other Support Services.
Or visit www.agilent.com/chem and
select Education.
Technical Support Consultation

Have a technical GC column, method, or
troubleshooting question? Agilents Technical
GC Column experts are available to answer
your questions by phone, fax or e-mail for free.
With years of experience in running samples,
developing methods and troubleshooting GC
systems, our chemists are promptly able to help
you consistently achieve excellent performance
and high productivity in your lab.
GC Troubleshooting/
Maintenance Training
Agilent offers a four-day hands-on course
providing practical information for
troubleshooting and maintenance for the
complete Agilent Gas Chromatography
System. Its designed for the professional
with a fundamental GC knowledge and
who is responsible for troubleshooting
and maintenance. Learn how preventive
maintenance can ensure the long-term
reliability and proper operation of your
Agilent GC system. For more information
on all Agilent Training offerings, visit
www.agilent.com/chem and select
Education.
Course #H5308A (for Series 6890)
Course #H4001A (for Series 5890)
On-line: www.agilent.com/chem, choose Technical Support, then select

Ask our Technical Support Specialist.
56
SERVICE & SUPPORT
Your Choice for Instrument

Maintenance & Repair
Contact the Agilent experts for GC
maintenance and repair. We can bring our
technical experts to your facility, or you can
ship your instrument to us. Well even send
an exchange instrument* to keep you up
and running.
Service Contracts Offer Big Rewards

Sign up for Agilents Chemical Analysis
Service Contract** today and youll enjoy
industry-leading product support and
service. Youll also get regular special
offers, including:
exclusive introductory offers on new

products and services
* for select instruments only
Preventive Maintenance &

Repair At Your Site
incentives for PerfectFit supplies to keep

your lab running at peak performance
notification and advice on replacement

strategies for older instrumentation
discounts on selected Agilent training

courses
With an Agilent Support Service Contract,

an Agilent service professional will come
to your site for repair. You even get a
choice of response times to keep repairs
cost-efficient. Well even come to your
site to conduct a thorough preventive
maintenance, to keep your instruments
running at peak performance.
Contact Agilent today, or visit
www.agilent.com/chem, for more
information about these and other
Support Services.
Expert Instrument Repair

You can keep your repair costs low and
maintain productivity with a choice of
off-site repair options. Just ship your
instrument to an Agilent Analytical
Customer Service Center. Well diagnose
the problem, repair the unit and return it
to you (usually within five days). Or if
maximum uptime is critical, ask about our
Instrument Exchange program. Agilent will
ship you a replacement instrument to keep
until your unit is repaired and returned.
Sign up today and get access to exclusive

areas of the Agilent web site providing
valuable instrument and application
information, instructional videos for
instrument maintenance, and easy on-line
ordering. Well also e-mail regular
reminders about product development, and
upcoming exclusive rewards. Sign up today
at www.agilent.com/chem/rewards.
** Contract covers travel, parts, labor for Agilent
service professional plus expert telephone assistance
to isolate and resolve hardware problems.
Bundled Service to Save You Money

Agilent offers industry-specific Service
Bundles for the Petrochemical and
Pharmaceutical industries. Service Bundles
contain essential services to keep your
chemical analysis instruments in top
condition for dependable operation. Youll
get telephone support, on-site and off-site
instrument repair including exchange
instruments, as well as on-site preventive
maintenance services, all for less than the
cost of purchasing each service separately.
Contact Agilent today for more information
about these and other Support Services.
Create Your Own Service Bundle

Contact Agilent today to configure a
package of support services to meet your
labs needs hardware maintenance,
troubleshooting, repair, support, and
preventive maintenance. Just let us know
what you need and well configure a
package for you. Contact Agilent today
for more information about our Support
Services and Contracts.
Operational Re-Qualification
After Repair
For instruments that require qualification,
Agilents Re-qualification After Repair
service verifies that a system is still
performing to Agilents operational
specifications after a repair, including
documentation that meets audit
requirements. Contact Agilent today for
more information about this and other
service contracts.
57
SERVICE & SUPPORT
Tap Agilent Expertise

Tap Agilents extensive GC knowledge
any time. Just give us a call to discuss
hardware, software, applications concerns
or just basic GC operation techniques. And
be sure to subscribe to our informationpacked magazine.
Software Support
Only Agilent can provide expert assistance
to isolate and resolve software problems.
Well provide telephone assistance from
highly trained experts. Well provide all
enhancements to the original chemical
analysis software purchased. Well even
send you Software Bulletins to let you
know about ongoing issues and
recommended workarounds. Contact
Agilent today for more information about
these and other Support Services.
GC System
Recommended
Maintenance
Schedule
Technical Support Assistance (a logical,

step-by-step approach to help you solve
common problems)
Technical Document Library (a searchable

collection of service and support
documents)
Chromatogram Library (a searchable

collection of GC, LC, and CE
chromatograms nearly a thousand
chemical compounds)
Product Support Literature (including

Operating Manuals and Installation
Guides)
Illustrated Parts Breakdowns (instrument

diagrams to help you identify parts or part
numbers)
Software Status Bulletins (updates on

recommended software workarounds)
Hardware Support
Agilents highly trained technical staff is
just a phone call away to offer you basic
hardware troubleshooting, operation
assistance, instrument and system
configuration, and remote diagnostics. Call
us toll-free today, or submit your question
on-line at www.agilent.com/chem.
Stay on Top with Separation Times

Tap into Agilents chromatography
expertise all year long with a free
subscription to Separation Times magazine.
For knowledge, tips, and insight, go to
www.agilent.com/chem/supplies, click
on Whats New, then select Tap into
Agilents Expertise to sign up today and
stay ahead of the information curve.
Visit Agilent on-line

For a wealth of GC knowledge any time,
visit www.agilent.com/chem. Youll find:
Ask our Technical Support Specialists

(send an on-line question to a technical
Support Chemist)
Frequently Asked Questions (answers

to the most commonly asked technical
questions about Agilent instruments
and supplies)
58

Open inside cover for:
Plus, a host of information and features to

make ordering easier and faster.
GC System Recommended Maintenance

Gas Management
ITEM
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
ACTIONS/COMMENTS
Gas purifiers
(carrier gas &
detector gas)
Every 6-12 months
Replacement schedule is based on capacity and grade of gases.

In general, replace non-indicating traps every 6-12 months or when
indicating traps start to change color. Replace indicating traps when
indicating material is spent.
Split vent trap
Every 6 months*
Replace.
Flowmeter
calibration
Every 1-2 years
Re-calibrate electronic flowmeters follow recommended schedule for

the unit (shown on calibration certificate).
Sample Introduction and Inlets

ITEM
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
ACTIONS/COMMENTS
Syringes
and/or syringe
needles
Every 3 months*
Replace syringe if dirt is noticeable in the syringe, if it cannot be

cleaned, if the plunger doesnt slide easily, or if clogged. Replace
needle if septa wear is abnormal or the needle becomes clogged.
Inlet liner
Weekly*
Check often. Replace when dirt is visible in the liner or if

chromatography is degraded.
Liner O-rings
Monthly*
Replace with liner or with signs of wear.
Inlet septum
Daily*
Check often. Replace when signs of deterioration are visible

(gaping holes, fragments in inlet liner, poor chromatography,
low column pressure, etc.).
Inlet Hardware
Every 6 months
Check for leaks and clean.
Every year
Check parts and replace when parts are worn, scratched, or broken.
Remember, the downtime for scheduled

maintenance is always less disruptive
than the downtime for unscheduled
maintenance/troubleshooting!
Schedule
Columns
ITEM
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
ACTIONS/COMMENTS
Front-end
Maintenance
Weekly monthly*
Remove 12 -1 meter from the front of the column when experiencing

chromatographic problems (peak tailing, decreased sensitivity, retention
time changes, etc.). Replace inlet liner, septum and clean inlet as
necessary. Guard column may be useful for increasing column lifetime.
Solvent rinse
As needed
When chromatography degradation is due to column contamination.

Only for bonded and cross-linked phases.
Replacement
As needed
When trimming and/or solvent rinsing no longer return chromatographic

performance.
Ferrules
Replace ferrules when changing columns and inlet/detector parts.
Detectors
ITEM
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
ACTIONS/COMMENTS
FID/NPD Jets
& Collector
As needed
Clean when deposits are present. Replace when they become scratched,
bent or damaged, or when having difficulty lighting FID or keeping flame lit.
NPD Bead
As needed
Replace when signal drifts or there is a dramatic change in sensitivity.
FID
Every 6 months
Measure hydrogen, air, and makeup gas flows.
TCD
As needed
Thermally clean by baking-out when a wandering baseline, increased

noise, or a change in response is present. Replace when thermal
cleaning does not resolve the problem.
ECD
Every 6 months
As needed
Wipe test.
Thermally clean by baking-out when baseline is noisy, or the
output value is abnormally high. Replace when thermal cleaning
does not resolve the problem.
FPD
Every 6 months
As needed
Measure hydrogen, air, and makeup gas flows.

Clean/replace FPD windows, and seals when detector sensitivity
is reduced.
*Schedule is an approximation of average usage requirements.

Frequency may vary widely based upon application and sample type.

Maintaining Your Agilent GC System: Maximize Your Efficiency. Minimize Your Downtime

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Operate your lab at peak performance

Troubleshoot difficult problems

Maintaining Your Agilent GC System

Maintaining Your Agilent GC System

Maximize your efficiency. Minimize your downtime.

This icon denotes a video that is available to view on our

Gas management is more than just

and elevated column bleed, along with

not it will make contact with the sample.

For most applications, gases which are low

Support gases may be specific for detectors

Carrier and Support Gases

Limit of Detection required:

Trace (0-1 ppm)

Carrier or fuel gas

Fuel gas for detector

Oxidant for detector

Contaminants & Purities

can also cause baseline drift or wander,

can be introduced by improper handling

a common cause of column stationary

can damage instrument

Hydrocarbons and Halocarbons

most common contaminant

a common cause of column stationary

can cause decomposition of labile

opportunity for introduction at every

decrease detector sensitivity by

In some cases it may be difficult to

Gas Purification Systems

The illustration on the next page shows

determine desired purity level

keep number of breaks in gas line

install purifiers in a convenient location

purifier log books are useful for

use indicating traps closest to the GC so

Carrier Gas Purification

-ORGas Purification System

ELCD reaction gas

Gas supply = cylinder, in-house line, or gas generator

Regulator = Brass dual stage regulator

NEED MORE HELP?

The purpose of gas traps is to remove

Constant exposure of capillary columns to

Tap Agilents GC knowledge

Moisture (Water) Traps

Indicating moisture traps are available in

Refillable Glass Moisture Trap

Moisture Removal Traps

Maximum Effluent H2O

Refillable Moisture Trap

Adsorbent Refill (1 pint) for MT Series

Glass Indicating Moisture Traps

Molecular Sieve Refill for GMT Series

Moisture Removal S-Trap can be reconditioned in the GC oven

Moisture S-Trap preconditioned

Big Moisture Traps for the Ultimate Moisture Capacity

Big Moisture Trap

Refill for BMT Series (2 refills)

Refillable Moisture Trap

Big Moisture Trap

Indicating Oxygen Trap

Big Oxygen Trap