GAS MANAGEMENT: KEEP YOUR SYSTEM CLEAN AND EFFICIENT

Proper gas management is essential for maintaining a stable and contamination-free GC system. Replacing gas filters and traps at the right intervals prevents impurities from affecting results. Follow these maintenance steps to ensure consistent gas quality and peak performance:

• Gas clean filters & purifiers – Replacement depends on gas capacity and purity. Replace non-indicating traps every 6–12 months; replace indicating traps when the colour changes.
• Split vent trap – Replace every 6 months to avoid clogging.
• Flow meter calibration – Replace ADM cartridge annually to minimise measurement drift.

SAMPLE INTRODUCTION & INLET SUPPLIES: MAINTAIN PRECISION FROM THE START

The sample introduction and inlet system are the first points of contact for your sample, making their maintenance critical to reproducibility and accuracy. Regularly replacing worn components like syringes, septa, and inlet liners prevents contamination and ensures smooth operation. Keep your GC performing at its best with these maintenance checks:

• Syringes & needles – Replace every 3 months or sooner if clogged, difficult to clean, or if septa wear is abnormal.
• Inlet liner – Check weekly; replace if dirty or chromatography is degraded.
• Inlet septum – Inspect daily; replace if deteriorated (holes, fragments, low column pressure).
• Gold seal – Change monthly or when scratched, corroded, or with sample build-up.

COLUMN CONNECTIONS: SECURE, LEAK-FREE PERFORMANCE

A properly connected column is key to preventing leaks and maintaining chromatographic integrity. Regular maintenance, including trimming and replacing worn connection parts, can extend the column’s lifespan and improve performance. Follow these steps to keep your connections in top condition:

• Front-end maintenance – Trim the column when chromatographic issues arise.
• Retention Gaps – Use to extend column life.
• Ferrules & nuts – Replace when changing columns or if wear is visible.

DETECTOR SUPPLIES: OPTIMISE SENSITIVITY & ACCURACY

Detectors are the heart of your GC system, responsible for delivering accurate and reproducible results. Keeping them clean and well-maintained prevents signal drift, noise, and sensitivity loss. Regular inspections and timely replacements will ensure reliable performance:

• FID (Flame Ionisation Detector) - Clean FID jets and collector as needed when deposits are present; replace if scratched, bent, or if ignition issues occur. Measure hydrogen, air, and makeup gas flows every 6 months to maintain consistent performance.
• NPD (Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detector) - Clean NPD jets and collector as needed when deposits are present; replace if scratched, bent, or damaged. Replace the NPD bead when signal drifts or sensitivity drops significantly.
• TCD (Thermal Conductivity Detector) - Bake out when baseline drifts or noise increases; replace if thermal cleaning fails.
• ECD (Electron Capture Detector) - Perform a wipe test and bake out every 6 months; replace if thermal cleaning doesn’t resolve issues.
• FPD (Flame Photometric Detector) - Measure hydrogen, air, and makeup gas flows every 6 months. Clean or replace FPD windows and seals if sensitivity drops.
• NCD & SCD (Nitrogen Chemiluminescence Detector & Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector) - Change pump oil, oil coalescing filter, and chemical trap every 3 months.

ULTRA INERT GC CONSUMABLES: PRECISION WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Agilent’s Ultra Inert GC consumables ensure maximum sensitivity and reproducibility by minimising adsorption and analyte loss. From Ultra Inert liners to gold- seals and high-performance columns, these premium parts optimise signal integrity and extend system lifespan. Ideal for trace-level analysis and complex samples, Agilent’s Ultra Inert technology delivers unmatched accuracy and reliability in every run.