4
– Troubleshooting
Thermo Scientific
Product Manual for Dionex Anion Chemically Regenerated
Suppressor for ICE
Page 20 of 22
032661-12
4.4
System Back Pressure Increases Over Time
A.
If the increased back pressure does not affect system performance, no maintenance is
necessary.
B.
The most common cause of increasing system back pressure is a contaminated frit in
the analytical or guard column inlet end fitting. Before doing anything else, check the
inlet frits on these columns and replace them if necessary. The complete instructions
for replacing column bed support assemblies are in Document No. 032285. Recheck
the system back pressure. If it remains high, go on to the next step.
C.
Bypass the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500 by coupling the ELUENT IN and ELUENT OUT
eluent lines. If the back pressure decreases by less than 150 psi with the Dionex ACRS-
ICE 500 out of line, a blockage at another point in the system is causing the high
pressure. Find and eliminate the blockage.
D.
If the back pressure decreases by more than 150 psi with the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500
out of line, the high pressure is caused by a blockage in the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500.
Reverse the direction of flow of both the eluent and the regenerant through the Dionex
ACRS-ICE 500. Do not connect the line between the cell and the Dionex ACRS-ICE
500. If this inverted operation decreases the back pressure, reconnect the Dionex
ACRS-ICE 500 to the cell and use it in this position.
E.
If reversing the flow through the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500 does not decrease the
pressure, clean the membrane (see Section 5).
F.
If cleaning the membrane does not reduce the pressure, the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500
must be replaced.
G.
If you cannot solve the problem on your own, contact the Thermo Scientific Dionex
Regional Office nearest you (see, “Thermo Scientific Dionex Worldwide Offices”).
4.5
Liquid Leaks
A.
If there is leakage around the ports of the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500, carefully tighten the
fittings in the ELUENT and REGEN IN and OUT ports (see Figure 1). If tightening the
fittings does not stop the leak, replace the ferrule and bolt.
B.
If there is leakage from the cover of the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500, check the system back
pressure.
1.
If the back pressure is less than 100 psi with only the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500 in-
line, the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500 is defective and must be replaced. Do not
disassemble the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500 and attempt to repair it yourself.
2.
If the back pressure is greater than 100 psi, the leaks are caused by excessive back
pressure downstream from the Dionex ACRS-ICE 500. Find and eliminate the
source of the pressure.
