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EFC type-4 Varian GC-3800 malfunction
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:02 pm
by Wajid
Dears, EFC typ e 4 is installed with hydrogen as carrier, setpoint of pressure is 18 psi and flow rate is 60ml/min. I am getting zero pressure and flow of 79ml/min. What could be the possibilities. GC is not ready and I cannot run any sample.
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:41 pm
by Peter Apps
The first thing that springs to mind is a massive leak. Check with a leak seeker. Is this a capillary split-spltless setup ? or something different ?
Peter
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 3:26 pm
by Wajid
EFC is installed on packed column, a simple application.
Well I will try to detect any leakage.....Thnx
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 3:45 pm
by Peter Apps
Is this the EFC module with only mass flow control ? If so it makes troubleshooting easier. Presumably with a packed column you have no split and no septum purge, so the gas flow goes only though the column.
With hydrogen at 60 ml min as carrier I presume that your detector is TCD, so simpler yet, with no fuel or make-up gasses.
Measure the flow at the detector using a flow meter calibrated for hydrogen - a bubble flow meter is simplest.
What flow do you get ?
Peter
Faulty EFC
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 11:53 am
by Wajid
Dear, It was faulty EFC causing the problem. Problem seems to be with the pressure regulation/sensing. It was giving a flow of 100 ml/min after a MS column without showing any column head pressure. No leakages were found. Thanks for your support.