We have problems with a Jasco HPLC system. After using the system for one-two years, black particles up to 1-3 mm emerge from the pump heads (view attached photo), and prevent us to work. Spanish Jasco technician told us that it is normal when the Plunger Seal is replaced, and that the seal of the check valve can be degraded with time due to solvents (acetonitrile and water) generating this type of particles. And therefore, they recommend us to change these and other components annually. Has anyone had this kind of problem?. We are very unsatisfied with Jasco.
We used Shimadzu HPLC, now it is more than 6 years old, but we never seen this type of question
Thank you very much for your response. My HPLC system has only 2,5 years old, so it is not the same case as yours. We always filter the solvents before starting, and we always wash all the system with water and acetonitrile at the end of the working session.
Susana,
it is not too uncommon that "debris" from the pump itself can be found on the seals, particularly when you work with high or ultrahigh pressures. On our UPLC systems, we change the seals after ca. 4000 turns (which might be as little as 2-3 months) to maintain optimum performance. You can certainly try to wash that stuff off, but it will damage the seals (grind into them) and they will no longer seal as well as they did before. In select cases, I have seen corrosion when using acidic solvents, which exacerbated the problem.
Hope this puts things in perspective.
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