I have a doubt about the procedure to follow to install a capillary column in GC-MS system (Agilent technologies 7890 B GC system, Agilent technologies 59777 A MSD). Is it necessary to turn off MS and GC equipment? or just GC equipment? Is it necessary to disconnect the vacuum pump? I've just already made the vent of the equipment and turn off all the temperatures.
Thank you so much for your help.
Tatiana, this should not be necessary. The problem however is that the rough pump for the rough vacuum can only by turned of when the complete system is turned of. You will have to open the analyzer in which case the system must be vented. Also there are electronic cards on these analyzers that may give you some problems. The best would be switch the MS off. The GC does not have an impact on the MS but it may happen that your communication is broken and you will have to reset the complete system.
The vacuum pump only needs to be turned off there should be no need for the the removal of the pump. The video clip here shows that if you have a measuring tool then you do not need to open the analyzer thus the msd does not need to be off. It does need to be vented though with the rough pump off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxR8B3OtLEI
Hope this helps
If you already vented the system then you just install the column until it butts up inside the MSD, tighten down the nut/ferrule and then install the other end of the column in the injector port.
This is all in your operator's manual, as well as on the Agilent Web site.
If you install new column and if you direct connect to MSD without flushing than it will cause high noisy base line from MSD. Before connect to MSD you better flush the column first to remove O2 and to evaporate other volatile components from the column. Below guide will help you.
http://lcgcindia.com/gc%20column%20troubleshooting/gc14.pdf
Follow the manufacturer's instructions is the best advice I can give. Typically you would shut off the carrier gas on the GC and turn its inlet heater off or set it to about 30 C to make the column nut cool enough to handle. You need to vent the MS (which involves cooling the source and transfer line), but you do not need to turn it off.
If the column is new it is good practice to condition it before connecting it to the MS.
Hi, Tatiana, Nowadays most of the GCMS manufacturers allow the replacement of column without breaking the vacuum or shutting down MS. The technique can be different for different makes. The idea is that you change the column without breaking the vacuum so that after changing the column you can continue with your analysis. Once the vacuum is broken, you will have to wait for some time for the development of full vacuum and it's stabilization which will be waste of time. In most of the present day instruments, when you change the column without shutting down MS, outside air is prevented from sucked in. Thus the MS is under proper vacuum when you change the column.
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