Procedure for Operating Agilent 7890 A Gas Chromatograph

1.0 Related Documents/Reference

Operating Manual for Agilent 7890A series

2.0 Health Safety and Environment (HSE)

 Do not operate with damp or wet hands
 Observe all instructions about electrical safety
 Equipment should not be installed close to flammable or combustible materials
 Handle all the high pressure and flammable gases with caution and check for leaks
 Avoid opening or making contact with the heated zone i.e., injection pot, oven or
detectors
 Unauthorized persons are prohibited from operating this equipment.
3.0 Operating Procedure
3.1 Start-up Procedure
i. Open all the gas lines allowing the flow of carrier (He), Flame (Air & H) and nitrogen gas
ii. Power up the Computer and GC at the Mains sockets
iii. Turn on electricity to the PC and GC by setting power supply switch to the ON position.
Observe the digital displays as each instrument comes on.
iv. Allow the GC to condition for about 30 minutes at the set OVEN temperature.
v. Connect to PC software by double clicking on INSTRUMENT 1 ONLINE and allow it to
come on.
vi. Activate the Detectors (TCD & FID) by selecting LOAD A METHOD on PC and clicking
NATGAS.M and OK. This will activate flow to detectors and ignition of flame.
vii. Allow the GC to condition for some hours (2-8 Hrs) depending on frequency of use.
viii. Observe the display on GC “ready for injection”. Click on the PC menu bar METHOD AND
RUN CONTROL and click RUN CONTROL and select SAMPLE INFO and click.
ix. Fill in the displayed dialogue box: date, PCLU no., counter, sample name, make comment,
then OK.
x. The gas is then injected by flowing the gas via the sample loop for few seconds and
stopping. Then press start on the GC to automatically inject sample and run analysis.
xi. The displayed chromatogram and composition are then printed out at end of run. (20
mins).
3.2 Shut Down Procedure
i. On the PC online software, select METHOD and click on SHUTDOWN1.M to
automatically off the detectors and oven.
ii. Power down the PC and then the GC after about an hour.
iii. Turn off the gas lines and close the gas cylinder valves.

4 Calibration
4.1 For routine checks, inject calibration gas to confirm consistency with certificate composition
and adjust Retention time where necessary to name un-named peaks.

5 Handling Fault
i. on observing a fault, shut down the instrument, report to the Supervisor and the instrument
engineer.
ii. Place a notice “OUT OF USE” by the instrument.
iii. Record the status of the instrument in a notebook.