5
–
Troubleshooting
Thermo Scientific
Product Manual for IonPac AS31 Columns
Page 38 of 45
155007-01
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Column contamination can lead to a loss of column capacity. This is because all of the ion
exchange sites will no longer be available for the sample ions. For example, polyvalent ions or
metals from the sample may concentrate on the column. Refer to
Procedure” for recommended column cleanup procedures.
Possible sources of column contamination are impurities in chemicals and in the deionized
water used for eluents or components of the sample matrix. Be especially careful to make
sure that the recommended chemicals are used. The deionized water should have a specific
resistance of 18.2 megohm-cm.
E.
After cleaning the column, reinstall it in the system and let it equilibrate with eluent for about
30 minutes. The column is sufficiently equilibrated when consecutive injections of the
standard give reproducible retention times. The original column capacity should be restored
by this treatment, since the contaminants should be eluted from the column.
5.4.4
Loss of Front-End Resolution
If poor resolution or efficiency is observed for the peaks eluting near the system void volume
compared to the later eluting peaks, check the following:
A.
Eluent concentration: Incorrect eluent concentration may be the problem. Remake the eluent
as required for your application. Ensure that the water and chemicals used are of the required
purity. The eluent concentration maybe incorrect if the flow delivered to the eluent generator
cartridge is incorrect. Check pump flow rate.
B.
Sample concentration and injection volume: Column overloading may be the problem.
Reduce the amount of sample ions being injected onto the analytical column by either diluting
the sample or injecting a smaller volume onto the column.
C.
System plumbing: Improperly swept out volumes anywhere in the system prior to the guard
and analytical columns may be the problem. Reconnect components one at a time in the
system prior to the columns, and test for front-end resolution after every system change.
5.5
Spurious Peaks
In a system where peaks are observed where none are expected, both the column and the system
should be checked.
A.
The columns may be contaminated. If the samples contain an appreciable level of polyvalent
ions and the column is used with a weak eluent system, the retention times for the analytes
will then decrease and spurious, inefficient (broad) peaks can show up at unexpected times.
Clean the column as indicated in
Section
7
B.
The injection valve may need maintenance. When an injection valve is actuated, the
possibility of creating a baseline disturbance exists. This baseline upset can show up as a
peak of varying size and shape. This will occur when the injection valve needs to be cleaned
or serviced. Check to see that there are no restrictions in the tubing connected to the valve.
Also check the valve port faces for blockage and replace them if necessary. Refer to the valve
manual for troubleshooting and service procedures. Small baseline disturbances at the
beginning or at the end of the chromatogram can be overlooked so long as they do not
interfere with the quantification of the peaks of interest.
NOTE
!