TMP of SHIMADZU GC-MSsystem a was barely used has been replaced3 times in a perod of two years. Why is this fault arising?
Why did you replace the turbo pump. Was it broken down/implosion, no sufficient vacuum or just a suggestion by the software to replace it? In general, you should avoid turning off the turbo pump, you should keep it running as long as possible. If you must turn off it or it is not in use for longer time, be careful and use the switch-off-program in your software, don't switch off manually.
Thank you Maximilian Blum, since we have limited resources such as He gas we do not continuesly run the system. The system has been not in use continuously for more than a year when the third replacement occurred.
The diagnosis was due to a message and also a rough loud noice arised from TMP.
Even now we do only a once a week vacuum control program for maintenance run for 3 hours rather than continuous run.
Please advice for more proper maintenance.
Thank you in advance.
Hello Thiruchenduran Somasundaram, for further advices I think you should contact Shimandzu support. In our lab we use nitrogen that is not as limited as helium. But I don't know if your device ans approach can be changed to nitrogen... In general, you could suggest your institution to buy and administer GC/LC-MS-devices in an core facility. so, also other scientific groups would have accesse to it and the GC-MS can be run continously. Best, Max
Thank you Dr. Maximilian Blum. The advice is taken and I will forward the same to our management.
Thiru
As noted above, GC/MS systems should be run continuously. Turbopumps do not like being switched on and off - make sure you are following the correct procedure.
Yes, Helium carrier gas is expensive but if you turn the GC oven off (ie cool to ambient temperature) then once the system has cooled you can turn off the He gas. Not ideal but modern GC phases are fairly robust. However, you must remember to turn the He back on before heating up the GC.
Alternatively, you can use hydrogen from a small H generator as your carrier gas. These are very safe and cheap to run, requiring only electricity and high purity water. You will also have to make some changes to your chromatographic conditions (gas pressure, linear flow rate, temperature ramps etc) to accommodate H instead of He and replicate your separations using He. There is plenty of literature available from the sellers of H generators (and elsewhere) on what is required to effect the change.
Dr. Charles H Hocart, Thank you for sharing your expertise and suggestions to continuously run the TMP. I will forward these suggestions to my superiors for adoption.
Thiru
Dear Sir. Sorry that I could not help with your question but can you share your experience handling GC/MS from Shimadzu?