Hints For Successful Use Of The Binary Pump - Agilent Technologies 1100 series Reference Manual

Optimizing Performance

Hints for Successful Use of the Binary Pump

Hints for Successful Use of the Binary
Pump
• Place solvent cabinet with the solvent bottles always on top (or at a higher
level) of the binary pump.
• When using the binary pump without vacuum degasser, shortly degass
your solvents (for example, water vacuum pump for 15 – 30 s in an
appropriate vessel) before using them in the binary pump. If possible apply
solvent conditions that will decrease the gas solubility over time (for
example, warming up the solvents).
• For highest precision and reproducibility use a vacuum degasser.
• When using the binary pump with vacuum degasser — before operating
the binary pump flush the degasser with at least two volumes (30 ml),
especially when the pumping system was turned off for a certain length of
time (for example, overnight) and volatile solvent mixtures are used in the
channels (see "Priming and Purging the System" on page 30).
• Prevent blocking of solvent inlet filters (never use the pump without
solvent inlet filter). Growth of algae should be avoided (see "Prevent
Blocking of Solvent Filters" on page 37).
• Check purge valve frit and column frit in regular time intervals. A blocked
purge valve frit can be identified by black or yellow layers on its surface or
by a pressure greater than 10 bar, when pumping distilled water at a rate
of 5 ml/min with an open purge valve.
• When using the binary pump at low flow rates (below 0.2 ml/min) check all
1/16-inch fittings for any signs of leaks.
• Whenever possible use a minimum flow rate of 5 µl/min per solvent
channel to avoid crossflow of solvent into the unused pump channel.
• Whenever exchanging the pump seals the purge valve frit and the outlet
ball valve sieve should be exchanged, too.
• When using buffer solutions, flush the system with water before switching
it off. The seal wash option should be used when buffer solutions of
0.1 Molar or higher will be used for long time periods.
• Check the pump plungers for scratches when changing the piston seals.
Scratched plungers will lead to micro leaks and will decrease the lifetime
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