Thermo Scientific TSQ 9610 Hardware Manual page 56

1
Performing Routine Maintenance
Replacing a Column
26 TSQ 9610 Hardware Manual
13. Wait for oven and transfer line temperatures to drop below 50 °C to avoid burns before
proceeding to touch the column and nut.
IMPORTANT Monitor the foreline pressure when removing the column and nut to
confirm that the V-lock source plug is properly sealing the transfer line. If the pressure
exceeds 1 Torr, the leak is excessive, and the source plug should be reseated or inspected
for damage, especially the white o-ring on the end of the source plug. If the
turbomolecular pump is forced off by the vacuum protection, the power might need to be
reset to start the pumps.
14. Remove the current column from the MS transfer line. To install the column in the GC
inlet, follow the instructions in
IMPORTANT If a column will not be immediately added to the transfer line (such as when
column conditioning or other GC maintenance is to be performed), then blank off the
transfer line with a transfer line nut with a no-hole graphite Vespel ferrule. Once the
transfer line is blanked off, the V-lock source plug can be removed until a column is ready
to be installed into the transfer line.
15. Unwind an appropriate column length to insert into the transfer line along the front of
the instrument. Leaving about an inch gap between the column and the left side of the
front panel will usually give you an appropriate length of column for installation.
Note Wear clean, lint- and powder-free gloves when you handle the column and
transfer line ferrule.
16. Wipe approximately 300 mm (12 in.) of the column with a tissue soaked in methanol.
17. Choose an appropriate ferrule for the outer diameter of your column.
18. Insert the column through the spring loaded transfer line nut and ferrule, entering
through the tapered end of the ferrule.
19. Wipe the column again with a tissue soaked in methanol.
"Installing the Column in the GC Inlet" on page 29.
Thermo Scientific