Agilent EZChrom Elite

Agilent Headspace
Sampler Control
Notices
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September, 2006
Document Revision 3.2
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Contents
1 Using This Guide ............................................................................................... 4
Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 4

Who Should Read This Guide?............................................................................................ 4

Documentation Conventions ............................................................................................... 4

2 About Agilent Headspace Sampler Control ................................................... 5

3 About Headspace Sequences .......................................................................... 5

4 Configure the Agilent Headspace Sampler.................................................... 7

5 Set Agilent HS Control Parameters in a Method ........................................ 11

6 Show Agilent Headspace Sampler Tray....................................................... 15

7 View the Agilent Headspace Sampler Status ............................................. 16

8 Notes on Running Headspace Samples ....................................................... 16

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control iii

1 Using This Guide
Introduction
The Agilent Headspace Sampler Control Option provides add-on
functionality to control the Agilent Model 7694E Headspace Sampler
and Model G1888A Network Headspace Sampler.

Who Should Read This Guide?

This document is designed for the system administrator and users who
will configure and use the control option for the Agilent Headspace
Sampler.

Documentation Conventions
The following conventions are used in this guide.

Convention Description
Bold Database names, table names, column names,
menus, commands, dialog box options, and text
that must be typed exactly as shown.
Italic Placeholders for information you must provide. For
example, if you are instructed to type ServerName,
then you must type the actual name of the server
instead of the italicized term.
Monospace Programming code samples and display text.
ALL CAPITALS The keys you press on the keyboard. If combined
with a plus sign (+), press and hold the first key
while you press the remaining key(s). For example,
press SHIFT+TAB.

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 4

2 About Agilent Headspace Sampler Control
The Agilent Headspace Sampler (HS) is a sample preparation and
introduction device which injects volatile components, released from
nonvolatile liquid or solid sample matrices, into an associated gas
chromatograph (GC). The term "headspace" refers to the contained
vapor volume from the liquid or solid sample sealed inside a vial. The
analytical technique itself, known as "static headspace gas
chromatography", is described in your HS device documentation.
The instrument control option for the Agilent Model 7694E Headspace
Sampler and Model G1888A Network Headspace Sampler provides
integrated, automated instrument control, and method parameter
storage / retrieval, for the HS.
To use an Agilent Headspace Sampler with your data system,
1. Configure the Headspace Sampler.
2. Set the Headspace Sampler method parameters.
3. Set up a sequence to use the Headspace Sampler.

3 About Headspace Sequences

To create a sequence for use with Headspace Sampler, from the

instrument toolbar, click and then click Create a sequence to start

the Sequence Wizard.
A sequence will be defined as being a Headspace Sequence if all of the
following are true:
• A headspace sampler is configured for the instrument.
• The vial number associated with the first line of the
sequence is NOT blank.
Note: A blank vial number indicates a manual injection. For a manual
injection sequence, the software will not send any information to the
headspace sampler and the restrictions described below will not apply.
The following restrictions are imposed upon Headspace Sequences:

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 • All lines of the sequence must have a valid, non-blank
vial number.
• A maximum of 3 changes in method are allowed for a
headspace sequence. (For example, Method 1 for runs
1-5, Method 2 for runs 6-10, Method 3 for runs 11-15.)
If more than 3 method changes exist in the sequence,
the sequence will not run and an error will be
generated.
When a user attempts to submit a Headspace Sequence to the run
queue, the software will validate the sequence against the above
restriction. If the sequence is invalid, the software will refuse to run
the sequence and will display a message box identifying the reason(s)
the sequence was deemed invalid.

Important information about using Overlap Sample Prep mode:

When the Overlap Sample Prep option is selected when running a
sequence, the software will send the entire sequence to the hardware at
once, instead of line-by-line. This option allows the autosampler to
optimize throughput by performing overlapping pretreatment of
samples.
When using Overlap Sample Prep mode,
• Do not use Run Types Begin Loop or End Loop
• Do not specify Failure Action other than Alarm,
Continue or Send E-Mail
• Do not add lines to the sequence after the sequence has
started.

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 6

4 Configure the Agilent Headspace Sampler
To configure an Agilent GC Headspace sampler,
1. Move the Agilent GC Headspace Sampler icon from the
Available modules to the Configured modules pane of the
configuration dialog box.
2. Double-click the Agilent GC Headspace Sampler icon to
open the Agilent GC Headspace Sampler Configuration
dialog box.
3. Select the headspace sampler Model, and then complete
the dialog box with the appropriate parameters.

Model
Select the model of the headspace sampler you are using.
Configuration choices will change depending on what model you
select.

Autoconfiguration
When Agilent G1888 is selected as the Model, click Autoconfiguration
to use the communications parameters specified elsewhere in this

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 7

 dialog to attempt to read the Serial Number and Firmware Version
from the sampler. If successful, the corresponding fields will display
the values obtained. If unsuccessful, a message will be displayed.
When the Agilent 7694 is selected as the Model, this button not
displayed.
Communications
In this area, you specify the parameters that control communications
with the sampler.

Mode
Select the type of communications being used for this sampler.
Available choices will be determined by the selected model of the
sampler.

IP Address
When LAN (IP) mode is selected, type the static IP address to be
assigned to the LAN board installed in the device. When Serial mode is
selected, this area is disabled.

COM port
When Serial is selected as the communications mode, this parameter
specifies the serial port to which the sampler is connected. Otherwise,
this parameter is disabled.

Host name
When LAN (Hostname) is selected as the communications mode, type
the host name of the Ethernet card to which the sampler is connected.
Otherwise, this parameter is disabled.
Identification
These fields provide the identification for the sampler.

Serial number
This field is used to record the serial number of the sampler. When the
Agilent G1888 is selected as the Model, this field is read-only, and will
display the serial number read by clicking Autoconfiguration.

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 Firmware version
This field is used to record the ROM firmware version of the sampler.
When the Agilent G1888 is selected as the Model, this field is read-only,
and will display the firmware version by clicking Autoconfiguration.
Options
In this area you configure the other options that may be used on your
sampler.

Handshake mode
This parameter specifies how the sampler synchronizes with the
operation of the GC. Available handshake modes depends on the
model in use.
Proceed means that the sampler injects when it is ready regardless of
GC readiness. Abort means that if the sampler is ready to inject but the
GC is not ready, the sampler terminates the current analysis and
returns the given sample vial to the sample tray. Wait means that the
sampler will wait and inject when both the sampler and the GC are
ready.

Carrier gas connection

Select the GC inlet position to which the headspace heated transfer line
is physically connected, and whether or not GC Auxiliary EPC
(Electronic Pressure Control) capability is being used.

Oven stabilization time

Type the time allowed for sampler oven setpoint temperature
equilibration before sample vials are moved into the oven.

Vial size
Select the size of the vials installed on the sampler.

Vial EPC
If an auxiliary GC electronic pressure control channel (EPC) will be
used to pressurize the HS sample vials, select it here.

Pressure units
Select the units to be used for display of pressures.

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 9

5 Set Agilent HS Control Parameters in a Method
To specify control parameters for a configured Agilent Headspace
Sampler in a method,
1. Open the instrument where the headspace sampler is
configured.
2. From the Method menu, click Instrument Setup.
3. From Instrument Setup, click the Agilent GC Headspace
Sampler tab.
4. Complete the dialog with the desired control parameters.

Timing
Type a time for each parameter.

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 Vial equilibrium
Enter the time (in minutes) the vial spends heating in the oven to
produce sample vapor.

Pressurization
Enter the time (in minutes) for which additional pressure is to be
applied to the vial.

Loop fill
Enter the time (in minutes) allocated for vial depressurization to
atmosphere through the valve sample loop.

Loop equilibrium
Enter the time (in minutes) between closing of the vent valve and
injecting the sample into the carrier gas stream through the transfer
line and into the connected GC inlet.

Inject
Enter the time (in minutes) to flush sample loop contents into the
transfer line and on into the connected GC inlet.

GC Cycle
This is the time (in minutes) required for the entire GC run to
complete, from the time of injection to when the GC reports ready for
the next injection.

Temperatures (deg C)
This area lets you enter temperature setpoints for the various zones.
For the G1888, a check box is also where you can turn the temperature
off or on. If a box is unchecked, the zone heating will be turned off.
Note: When enabled, temperature deviations are recorded in the
instrument activity log, but the deviation does not prevent the analysis
from continuing to its normal conclusion.

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 12

 Oven
Select the box (if available), then enter the desired oven temperature,
in °C.

Loop
Select the box (if available), then enter the desired loop temperature, in
°C.

Transfer line
Select the box (if available), then enter the desired transfer line
temperature, in °C.
Misc
Set parameters here for other desired parameters.

Vial pressure check

Selecting this box will allow you to specify the target pressure for the
vial.
If the box is unchecked, then no pressure monitoring will be associated
with this heated zone.
Note: When enabled, pressure deviations are recorded in the
instrument activity log, but the deviation does not prevent the analysis
from continuing to its normal conclusion.

Carrier pressure check

Selecting this box will allow you to specify the target pressure for the
carrier line.
If the box is unchecked, then no pressure monitoring will be associated
with this heated zone.
Note: When enabled, pressure deviations are recorded in the
instrument activity log, but the deviation does not prevent the analysis
from continuing to its normal conclusion.

Vial agitation
Select if the vial should be agitated during the Vial equilibrium time.
For vial agitation, select either Low or High speed setting.

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 13

 Multi Extraction
This parameter specifies the multiple headspace extraction behavior.
If the headspace model is 7694, then this parameter is not shown.
Select Off to make one extraction per vial (Standard Single Analysis
mode). The GC run starts on sample injection into the GC inlet. No
replicates are made.
Select On to make multiple separate analyses from the same vial
Replicate Analysis mode). Each extraction is a full HS cycle leading to
start of the GC and return of the vial to the tray. The vial will remain in
the heater between runs. The number of transfers corresponds to the
#injections parameter in the sequence.
Select Conc if a sample concentrating cryotrap is used (Concentrating
Single Analysis mode). Multiple extractions are made from a single vial
and concentrated. The accumulated sample is injected and the GC is
started when the last extraction is made. If you select Conc, then enter
the number of sample extractions to be performed from the given vial.

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 14

6 Show Agilent Headspace Sampler Tray
To display a graphic representation of the Agilent Headspace Sampler
autosampler tray
Select Show Autosampler Tray from the Control menu.
The autosampler tray view is a color-coded display of your current
sequence. A right mouse click on a vial brings up a menu that enables
you to start a single run from the selected vial, open the associated
data file for that vial, open the associated method for the for the
selected vial, or open the associated pretreatment file for the selected
vial (if using pretreatment files). To change a vial number in your
sequence, select the desired row in the sequence spreadsheet and then
click the vial number on the autosampler tray display. The vial number
will be entered in that row for the spreadsheet and the spreadsheet will
advance one row. You can continue to set vial numbers for your
sequence by continuing to click the vial number on the autosampler
tray.

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 15

7 View the Agilent Headspace Sampler Status
To view the status of a configured Agilent Headspace Sampler,
1. From the Control menu, click Instrument Status.
2. Click the Agilent GC Headspace Sampler tab to view the
current status of the HS, change set points, and move vials.

8 Notes on Running Headspace Samples

If a hardware error occurs on the headspace sampler, perform the
following steps to recover.
1. Shut down the instrument in the software.
2. Reset the headspace sampler- either by power cycle or reset on the
local keypad.
3. Wait for the headspace sampler to completely initialize.
4. Reconnect the instrument in the software.

Agilent Headspace Sampler Control 16