Chapter 19
Analytical Troubleshooting
Baseline
392
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Manual
SYMPTOMS SOURCE
Baseline
Behavior
Characteristics
Cause
Remedy
Drifting
Accumulation of stationary
phase
Replace the end section of the
column.
Carrier gas cylinder
pressure too low to allow
control
Replace the carrier gas cylinder
or increase the pressure.
Drifting carrier gas or
combustion gas flows
Check the gas controllers.
Accumulation of impurities
in column
Check impurity levels in the gas
source. Use correct gas purity.
Drifting
Falling
Carrier gas leak in the
system
Perform a leak test and ensure
the tightness of the connections
on the carrier gas line.
Column is baking out
Allow enough time for the
column to stabilize.
Rising
Accumulation of impurities
in column
Check impurity levels in the gas
source. Use correct gas purity.
Contaminated detector
Check the detector and clean it.
Rising under
temperature
program
operation
Column contaminated
Recondition the column.
High-standing current
Carrier gas flow rate too
high
Reduce the carrier gas flow.
Contaminated column
Recondition the column.
Contaminated gases
Replace gas cylinders or gas
filters.