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9.4 Flow Cell Cleaning
The Companion XL may alert you that flow cell cleaning is
recommended. This alert message appears when flow cell light
path is partially obstructed but the system is still operable.
Cleaning the flow cell will keep the amount of noise and drift
on the absorbance trace at a minimum and ensure accurate
peak detection.
The flow cell can be cleaned by pumping a solvent through the
system. Generally, the recommended solvent is the highest
polarity solvent you have recently used. Therefore, ethyl
acetate (often solvent B) would be used. See Table 9-4 for
alternative solvents. Recent synthesis solvents should also be
considered.
9.4.1 Quick Flow Cell Cleaning
Quick cleaning is advantageous because very little solvent is
required and repriming is not necessary. To quick clean the
system:
1. Remove the column from the system.
2. With a syringe, inject the selected solvent into the lower
column mount.
3. Insert a bypass tube in place of the column.
4. From the PeakTrak menu select the Tools>Manual
Control... command and pump 100 mL of Solvent A at 100
mL/min.
5. Replace the bypass tube with a column and start a run.
The Companion XL will attempt to calibrate the flow cell.
If the calibration is successful, the system is ready for use.
If the alert message persists, refer to the thorough flow cell
cleaning solvents and techniques.
9.4.2 Thorough Flow Cell Cleaning
To thoroughly clean the flow cell:
1. Remove the column from the system and insert a bypass
tube.
2. If using an alternative solvent, place the solvent inlet line
into a container of the selected solvent.
Section 9 Maintenance
9-3
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