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Varian 3800 GC FID Flame Out
Discussions about GC and other "gas phase" separation techniques.
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I have a Varian 3800 with rear and middle FID. I keep getting error message saying FID flame out, even after trying to re-ignite it a few times. When I push the 'ignite' button, I did not hear any 'click' sound, is that normal? Please help!!
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First check the FID gas flow rate in detector page at the instrument panel (H2=30 , Air=350, make-up=25 ml/min). Actual and set values must be equal.
If there is no problem with gas flow, open the detector (after cooling lower than 100 C) and turning off the FID electronic (in the software)).
Clean the flame tip with a wire. Check the metal ring at the bottom of the detector tower not to be deformed and the graphite ferrule no be cracked.
Note FID temperature should be at least 150 0C to ignite.
If there is no problem with gas flow, open the detector (after cooling lower than 100 C) and turning off the FID electronic (in the software)).
Clean the flame tip with a wire. Check the metal ring at the bottom of the detector tower not to be deformed and the graphite ferrule no be cracked.
Note FID temperature should be at least 150 0C to ignite.
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The Varian ignitors work with a hot filament that does not make the clicking noise that you get with a spark ignitor.I have a Varian 3800 with rear and middle FID. I keep getting error message saying FID flame out, even after trying to re-ignite it a few times. When I push the 'ignite' button, I did not hear any 'click' sound, is that normal? Please help!!
You can sometimes here a pop when the flame ignites, but not always.
First, check whether the flame is burning by looking for condensation on a cold shiny surface held just above the detector. There might be a malfunction in the flame out alert.
Then check the gas flows using an external flow meter, and do detector maintenance.
Peter
Peter Apps
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Thank you!! My FID is working ok now.
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What was the answer to your problem?
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- Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 8:54 am
tank you.my fid graphite ferrule was cracked.

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