Appendix B: Rotary Valve Service; Initial Precautions - Thermo Scientific SOLA II Flare User Manual

Appendix B: Rotary Valve Service

All SOLA II Flare analyzers use 10- and 6-port rotary injection valves, plus a 4-
port range select valve. This appendix references a typical 6-port rotary
injection valve. These are manufactured by Valco Instruments Co. Inc. (VICI).
This appendix describes operation and cleaning instructions for the valves
typically used. The material in this appendix is taken from VICI Technical
Note 201 (TN-201 9/00), copyright 2000 VICI and from VICI Technical
Note 409 (TN-409 4/01), copyright 2001 VICI. Technical Notes used with
permission (www.VICI.com).
Caution The sample line must be purged with air to remove all sample prior to
performing valve maintenance to prevent sample leaking to the pyrolyzer. Open
the oven and disconnect the tubing from the injection valve to the pyrolyzer
before servicing the valve. ▲
After unpacking the valve, do not remove the protective tape from the valve

Initial Precautions

ports until you are ready to install the valve. As supplied, all surfaces are clean
and free of contaminants, and must be kept clean to prevent valve damage.
Open ports and fittings cause unnecessary risk of particulate matter entering the
valve and scratching the sealing surfaces, which is the most frequent cause of
premature valve failure.
Note For Valco W and UW Type valves. ▲
Note The most common source of particulate and chemical contamination is
tubing which has not been properly cleaned before installation in the valve. To
avoid this problem, Valco Instruments suggests using their electrolytically pre-
cut and polished tubing, available in standard lengths for any plumbing
requirement. ▲
Note If other tubing is to be used, make certain that all tubing ends are free of
burrs and cut square with the tube axis, and that all tubing has been chemically
and mechanically cleaned. ▲
Note Failure to observe proper cleanliness procedures during installation of the
valve voids the manufacturer's warranty. ▲
Make sure that tubes are seated completely before forming the one-piece Valco
ferrule on the tube. This ensures that the minimum connection volume is
obtained. (For more information on installing fittings, refer to VICI Technical
Note 503, Fitting Instructions).
SOLA II Flare User Manual
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