Bruker (Varian) 430-GC column timeout error?

[guerrero77]

I have a Bruker (Varian) 430-GC that has been set up to run regular C6+ natural gas analysis. As far as I can tell, all the temperature control parameters are set up exactly the same as the other Varian 430's acquired earlier. As far as I know there is no real difference between the Varian or Bruker produced model 430. Even though the temperature control parameters on the Bruker are exactly the same as the older Varians, at the end of about two hours of inactivity, a column temperature timeout error message appears and the column temperature increases to a preset threshhold of about 200 degrees F. So far have not been able to locate what is causing this error.

Any info regarding temperature control stabilization would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Ultimate Science 101]

Check your GC setup to determine what your column standby time/temp is. Likely after so many minutes of inactivity, the GC is set to change oven temperature to a specified value. You might change this value to something considerably less than 200C to minimize column wear, perhaps 100C or whatever the initial start temperature of your analytical method is.

Under the menu/status tab of the Varian 3800 GC, you can input the column standby time & temperature, so we are guessing this is what you're encountering with your 430 GC. From what we recall (while not standing directly in front of the 450), this standby temp/time value can also be set for the Varian/Bruker 450 GC.

Changing this value on your 430 GC should resolve the issue. Good luck!