26
HTEC-500
12.
Storage of the System
The method of storage depends on how long the storage is for.
12-1. Short-term
(A few days to a few weeks)
Just switch off the system and leave it running in mobile phase. Wash behind the pumps with ultrapure
water. In the case of ACh analysis, please skip to section 12-2 even if storage is for a few weeks.
12-2. Long-term
(more than a few days or a few weeks)
A. Remove the precolumn from the system and replace it with a two-way joint. Repack the precolumn
before the start of the next analysis. If using a GU-GEL column, remove the column from the system
and plug each end. If using another type of column, leave the separation column connected to
the system for now. All enzyme immobilized columns (reactors) need to be removed and stored in
an appropriate buffer and kept in a refrigerator.
B. Mobile phase in the whole system and in the separation column should be substituted with 30%
methanol in water. Methanol will prevent bacterial growth. Replace the mobile phase with 30%
methanol and aspirate some solution from the drain valve of the pump using a syringe so that the
mobile phase in the degasser is substituted with 30% methanol. Then set the position of the injector
to INJECT and let the 30% methanol flow for 1 hour through the line at 70% or 80% of the set flow rate
value. This value is specific to the type of separation column being used. During this process, switch
off the ECD. Take the drain just after the column and put a plug on the inlet tubing of the ECD to
prevent the ECD from drying out. Wash out the ECD content with the flow from the column after
washing the column for 1 hour. Connect the column back to the ECD and run the pump
continuously for another 10 min.
C. After washing the ECD, close the bottle of mobile phase with lab film surrounding the inlet tubing
going into the bottle. Disconnect the tubing from the waste bottle. Wash the piston using ultrapure
water from the pump wash port. Wash the ports of the manual injector using ultrapure water.
D. Unscrew the fixing nut at the reference electrode on the ECD cell and put the reference electrode
at 4°C keeping it’s tip in 1 M LiCl/0.1 M CH
3
COOH. This solvent is present in it’s cap. Other parts of the
ECD will become dry.
E. Disconnect the separation column from the line and plug it at each end. Plug the free end of the
tubing with a tubing plug.
F. After these steps, the degasser, the pump, the injector and all the tubing are filled with 30%
methanol.
G. At the end of these steps, disconnect the power cable.
