5
– Troubleshooting Guide
Thermo Scientific
Product Manual for the ERS 500 Suppressor
Page 68 of 84
031956-11
For Research Use Only. Not for Use in Diagnostic Procedures.
C.
Outgassing or trapped bubbles in the suppressor regenerant chambers: Ensure that the
external water (if used) is degassed before use; do not pressurize the external water
with air, use nitrogen or helium. Eliminate causes of excessive backpressure between
the cell outlet and the regenerant inlet if recycled eluent mode is used.
D.
Excess suppressor temperature: Ensure liquid entering the suppressor is at or less than
35°C. Ensure the suppressor is operated in an environment that does not exceed 35°C
during operation. Refer to
Installation in thermal chamber. 20°C is the
optimum temperature for Dionex ERS 500, Dionex ERS 500e or Dionex AERS 500
Carbonate operation.
E.
Large changes to the flow rate or applied current of the suppressor: When changing
eluent concentration or flow rate, recalculate the optimum current using the attached
calculator; do not allow the suppressor to operate for more than 5 minutes with
excessive or insufficient current. If the current is changed, allow the suppressor a few
hours to reestablish baseline stability. Ensure that shut-down, stand-by and start-up
methods are applying the correct suppressor current.
F.
Operating the suppressor with power but no eluent or regenerant flow: Operation of the
suppressor without flow may irreversibly damage the suppressor, depending on amount
of applied current and duration. Ensure that the regenerant lines are connected and flow
is established when powering on the suppressor at all times. Ensure that during external
water operation that the suppressor is never operated without regenerant flow. When
operating properly, bubbles interspersed with liquid exiting the regenerant chamber
indicates good flow. Replace the suppressor if operation without flow is known to have
occurred. Confirm that the minimum pressure limit on the pump is set to a non-zero
value to ensure that the system turns off in the event of a leak.
G.
Incorrect current setting during shutdown, stand-by or startup method: Shut-down
methods should shut the pump flow off at the same time as the suppressor current.
Stand-by methods should reset the suppressor current to the optimum level for the
reduced flow rate and/or concentration. Do not reduce the flow rate on RFIC-EG
systems; this will lower the backpressure on the degasser below 2,000 psi and cause
out-gassing. Stand-by methods for RFIC-EG systems should reduce eluent
concentration to preserve Dionex EGC ion count; reset the suppressor current
accordingly. Do not turn the Dionex EGC concentration to zero with flow; use a low
setting. Consider using the smart-shutdown and smart-startup feature of Chromeleon
instead of standby conditions and configure the system for smart-startup two hours
before use is anticipated so the system is equilibrated and ready to run. Consider using
RFIC-ER; no shut-down, stand-by or start-up procedure is needed with an Always On,
Always Ready system. Start-up settings should turn on the pump flow and suppressor
current simultaneously.
5.11
Low Sample Response (Neutralization Mode Only)
A.
If the Dionex ERS 500e is observed to be leaking, see
. “Liquid Leaks.”
B.
Ensure the Sample Injection Valve and Recycle Valve are operating correctly. Refer to
the valve manuals that accompany the valves. Be sure to check the port faces for
damage.
C.
If the neutralization requires excessive recycling, clean the suppressor membranes (see
, Dionex ERS 500, Dionex ERS 500e and Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate
Cleanup).
