I am doing Zero IRGA now, but the CO2 concentration in the chamber (CO2-S) is maintained around 20. It says the soda lime needs to be changed in the manual, however, after I changed it, it is still around 20. I thought the chamber leaks, so I changed the gasket as well, but it still does not work. The CO2 mixer is off as required. I have been looking for the solutions, but still could not figure it out. Does anyone knows how to solve this problem?
You should try to breath on the chamber closed and verify that CO2 stays at 20. If not you should buy a fresh set of washers. If it holds check inside the box for internal tubes and valves. Try then to flush with dry nitrogen for 20 min and follow the CO2 value. If fails to zero the chamber IRGA may need service. https://www.licor.com/env/support/product?p=6400XT
Hello, Guido, thank you so much for your answer. I blowed on the chamber, the CO2 increased fast. I already changed to new gasket (or washers if this is what you mean), but the problem remains. By saying internal tubes and valves, do you mean I need to dis-assemble the chamber?
There is some issue about chamber painted parts.Often to remove washer or gasket glue it has been applied organic solvent. This may have etched painted surfaces of the chamber ( our codes for chamber are a couple of numbers). I do not know your type but you may need service for disassembling IRGA, but you may ask for a service manual section from Licor if the instrument is old.
Dear Lulu, If you are sur that the sample chamber is not leaking, and if the 20 ppm CO2 concentration delta remains and is stable, you should check if there is something in the optical path of the sample IRGA. A miror may have dust deposits on its surface.
Let me know if you find the problem.
Dear Lulu,
It could also be that the small chemical bottles in the head, near the IRGA, need to habe their chemicals changed (Ascarite II or soda lime/Magnesium perchlorate). See page 19-32 in the version 6 manual.
Best,
Patrick Friesen, PhD
If the problem still now you can write to LICOR directly, they are very polite for any problems,
I never have had the problem that you mentioned ! Remember that you have the home calibration or factory calibration.
As Svetoslav Anev said, you should tighten the adjustment knob so that the gaskets are slightly compressed when closed with no leaf.
You should check also the o-rings of the top and the bottom chamber (fig 2-12 on Li-cor manual version 6). An o-ring may have moved durong the mounting.
Regards
Alain
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