HPLC Installation Petro van Poppel – Field Support SpecialistMarch 2010

Installation Location Hardware Software Personnel

Installation Location Safety requirements Environment Bench space Power Waste IT Boxes

Installation Hardware Check all boxes with customer Plumbing Wiring Configuration Gas supply Calibrations Test solvents and chemicals

Installation Software Running Software Drivers Firmware Network Correct level of access

Installation Personnel You (& co) Future operator IT administrator Sign off (Manager)

Installation Pre-Installation Manual Checklist

Wiring

Plumbing

PUMP A/S Detector F/C SOLVENT COLUMN Low Pressure High Pressure Low Pressure

Software

Problems Rules of Thumb: Change only one thing at a time when isolating a LC problem A problem isn’t really a problem until it occurs at least twice Reinstall old parts if the substituted new part does not solve the problem Always write down what you have done or changed for future reference

Problems Chemistry Data Quality / Accuracy Chromatography Methodology Hardware Pressure and Leaks Cleanliness Hardware failures Communications Location Short shipment

Chemistry Problems Need to question the accuracy and precision of method and / or analyst. The chromatography might not work due to bad quality solvents, bad (pre-)column, wrong solvents. There may be a problem with sample preparation.

Hardware Problems Low pressure indicates leak in system, high pressure indicates obstruction in flow path DOA hardware = replace, but do check simple things Calibration may be required LC looks at low quantities.

Pressure Problems No pressure or flow Pressure but no flow Erratic pressure Leaks

Cleanliness Use Hipersolv Chemicals only Use LC grade water, filtered over 0.20µM filter Avoid contamination by other chemicals or bacterial growth Replace (pre-) column in time Clean or replace flow cell in time Only use LC grade materials

Hardware Failures Pump piston Seals (in compatible, worn) Breakage (visual check) Piston scoring (replacement seal no good) Piston seizing (pump overheats, no flow) (springs broken)

Hardware Failures Flow cell Bubbles In-compatible solvents Leak or blockage Bad fittings Contamination causing baseline issues

Hardware Failures Wavelength Bad wavelength Calibration problems Low UV-range Time constant too high Temperature drift

Communications Problems Incorrect interface in software Bad cables Instrument not (correct) configured Lack of access on PC or network Bad PC Wrong driver, firmware or combination Faulty instrument

Location Problems Unsuitable bench Power not filtered or protected Room not temperature controlled Corrosive environment Other incompatible instruments close by

Summary Pre-installation checklist Follow the instructions Homework When problems, look for simple things : Leaks Hardware Location Cleanliness