Pump Leak Rate Test - Agilent Technologies InfinityLab LC Series User Manual

6 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics

Pump Leak Rate Test

Pump Leak Rate Test

The Pump Leak Rate Test is a diagnostic test to check the integrity and tightness
of the pump components. The test is started from the Services & Diagnostics
section in the Agilent Lab Advisor Software. The test is first evaluating the
tightness from the outlet valve downstream to the purge valve. First, the pistons
are positioned; afterwards, the purge valve is switched to the closed position. By
moving the secondary piston into the pump chamber, the system is pressurized
to 1000 bar (or 800 bar for G7104C). The flow rate to keep the pressure stable is
the corresponding leak rate.
The second part of the test is designed to verify the tightness along the piston.
Any irregularity on the piston surface (for example, scratches or deposits) will be
detected. During this test, all components from the inlet valve downstream to the
blocked purge valve are tested.
Now the primary piston is moving to deliver and generate pressure, and the
secondary piston is retracting. The pressure is kept constant at 800 bar. The
process is repeated for the second pump head, if applicable.
The Pump Leak Rate Test can also be performed at various pressures
comparable to the pressure used during analysis. The procedure above
describes the test using High Pressure. Other pressures available for the Pump
Leak Rate Test are: Mid Pressure (600 bar secondary leak rate test, 600 bar
primary leak rate test (N/A for G7104C)) and Low Pressure (200 bar secondary
leak rate test, 200 bar primary leak rate test).
Preparations:
1 Flush the system with HPLC grade water for several minutes from any solvent
2 Start the Pump Leak Rate Test from Lab Advisor.
3 Choose the channel with HPLC grade water and if you want to include or skip
4 Click OK and follow the instructions.
1290 Infinity II High-Speed Pumps User Manual
channel.
an additional purging step.
The test runs automatically without any further user interaction.
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