Agilent Technologies 7200 Operation Manual page 27

Conditioning columns
Conditioning ferrules
Operation Manual
Conditioning a column before it is connected to the GC/MS
interface is essential.
A small portion of the capillary column stationary phase is
often carried away by the carrier gas. This is called column
bleed. Column bleed deposits traces of the stationary phase in
the MS ion source. This decreases MS sensitivity and makes
cleaning the ion source necessary.
Column bleed is most common in new or poorly cross-linked
columns. It is much worse if there are traces of oxygen in the
carrier gas when the column is heated. To minimize column
bleed, all capillary columns should be conditioned before they
are installed in the GC/MS interface.
Heating ferrules to their maximum expected operating
temperature a few times before they are installed can reduce
chemical bleed from the ferrules.
Installing GC Columns
Columns
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