Agilent Technologies 5977B CI MSD, Operating Manual

Page: 36 / 254

2 Installing 8890 GC Columns

Columns
36 5977B Series MSD Operating Manual
Columns
Many types of GC columns can be used with the MSD, but there are some
restrictions.
During tuning or data acquisition, the rate of column flow into the MSD should
not exceed the maximum recommended flow. Therefore, there are limits to
column length, diameter, and flow. Exceeding recommended flow results in
degradation of mass spectral and sensitivity performance.
Remember that column flows vary greatly with oven temperature. Use the Flow
Calculation software and
Table 5 to determine whether a given column will give
acceptable flow with realistic head pressure.
Conditioning columns
Conditioning a column before it is connected to the GC/MSD interface is
essential. (See
“To Condition a Capillary Column” on page 41.)
A small portion of the capillary column stationary phase is often carried away by
the carrier gas. This is called column bleed. Column bleed deposits traces of the
stationary phase in the MSD ion source. This decreases MSD sensitivity, and
makes cleaning the ion source necessary.
Table 5 Gas flows
Feature Gas flows
High vacuum pump Diffusion Turbo
Optimal He column flow mL/min 1 1 to 2
Maximum recommended gas flow mL/min
*
* Total gas flow into the MSD: column flow plus reagent gas flow (if applicable) plus JetClean H
2
flow (if
applicable). Based on helium gas use. For other gases the maximum flow will vary.
1.5 4
Maximum gas flow, mL/min
†
† Expect degradation of spectral performance and sensitivity.
2 6.5
Max column id 0.53 mm

(30 m)
0.53 mm

(30 m)
CI capability No Yes
CI reagent flows, mL/min NA 1 to 2
JetClean option H
2
flow NA 0.4 mL/min