Setting up shutdown method in Chromeleon

[TraceWA]

Hi all

I have a method for running samples for methanol analysis by GC-FID. This is on a Thermo Trace 1300 with chromeleon 7.3.

I don't run the method too often, but one thing that restricts me is that I don't have any generators for the FID gases, I use cylinders. This isn't an issue by itself but I'm frequently left delaying running samples that come in before a weekend for example as I don't want to waste gas running the FID flame whilst there's nothing running. Gas deliveries are only available a couple of times a month and I don't want to end up in the lurch because the FID ate up all our air doing nothing, especially as our AAS is on the same line for compressed air.

I've tried finding shutdown procedures but haven't been able to get anything to work well. I know there is a "smart shutdown" and "smart standby" option available but unfortunately the software errors out, saying they aren't supported on my instrument.

the only thing i've been able to get to work so far is editing my method so that it runs a sample but turns off the FID before the injection, I save it separately and put it as a final dummy injection. the software complains in the ready check but it has worked so far.

does anyone have a better suggestion?

[antonk]

IMO the pretty standard approach - make a method where:

* all heated zones at 30 or 50C
* all gases at 0 (of possible, or leave column head pressure with closed split flow)
* all detectors turned off. Most of the instruments turn off gases when detector not used in method.

Add blank sample with this method at the end of the sequence

[TraceWA]

IMO the pretty standard approach - make a method where:

* all heated zones at 30 or 50C
* all gases at 0 (of possible, or leave column head pressure with closed split flow)
* all detectors turned off. Most of the instruments turn off gases when detector not used in method.

Add blank sample with this method at the end of the sequence

Hi thanks for responding.

That's basically what I'm doing at the moment, it works but always gives me errors to clear (essentially going, "hi there you seem to be setting everything up with everything off, are you sure?"). I'm remaking the shutdown method I originally set up and changing just how I turn things off, perhaps that'll work.