Thermo Scientific TRACE 1600 Hardware Manual page 89

Thermo Scientific
7. Calibrate the carrier gas flow (column evaluation).
a. Carefully push the capillary column end into the flow meter section of the column-
flowmeter connector. See
Figure 59. Column Flowmeter Connector
A
b. Connect the flowmeter to the dedicated fitting on the column-flowmeter connector.
c. If your GC is equipped with the touch screen as user interface, select Back or Front
Column icon in the Configuration menu, otherwise perform the Column
Evaluation through the Chromatography Data System by selecting the proper
function.
d. Select the column and input the physical characteristics of the column.
e. If a pre-/post-column is present, set the length and nominal internal diameter of the
pre-/post-column in the same valid ranges for the column. The following two lines
are added to the menu.
f. According to the physical characteristics of the column, the system calculates and
displays the relevant Column K-factor.
Note For the most reproducible results, you should conduct a more detailed
column evaluation. However, the following steps, while recommended, are not
required.
g. Start column evaluation. At the end of the routine, a message will indicate that
evaluation was successful.
h. Expect a K-factor of approximately 0.7 – 0.9 for a 15 m, 0.25 mm ID column
(1.3 – 2.0 for a 30 m, 0.25 mm ID column). If the column does not report a K-factor
within this range or within 0.1 units of the previous stored value, check for a leak or
broken column using the leak detector. The K-factor is a measured resistance for the
column. A K-factor that is too low may indicate a leak in the system, while a K-factor
that is too high may indicate a blockage.
8. Disconnect the column-flowmeter.
a. Disconnect the column from the column-flowmeter connector.
b. Remove the clear plastic component, including its fittings, from the oven and set it
aside.
Figure 59.
B C
TRACE 1600/1610 Hardware Manual
1
Installation
Installing the Column the First Time
To flowmeter
57