injection without autosampler

[vikiBPI]

Hi everyone,

I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to handling a GC, hence my basic question...

We have an Agilent 6890N with 7683B series autoinjector and autosampler at our lab.

Normally we operate our GC with Chemstation software and vials are handled by an autosampler installed on a tray. At the moment the arm of our autosampler is in repair which means I can't inject samples using the ALS. As I would like to continue our analyses I want to figure out how I can get the injector to inject samples without the autosampler being present? I tried disabeling the tray and switching to manual injection but this didn't work so far. I'd be happy to put the vials in the turret myself one by one ...

Your help will be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[kubowicz.tomasz]

Hello

You need to change turret in the Injector Tower (small carousel). You should have it in installation kit. It allows you to use just injector tower without tray (it is for 8 samples and 2 wash solvents).

Regards

Tomasz Kubowicz

[vikiBPI]

Hi Tomasz,

Unfortunately we don't have the small caroussel anymore (the machine is a second hand)

Does this mean injection without autosampler is entirely impossible?

Best regards, Viki

[kubowicz.tomasz]

Hello

You can use turret that you use for tray but:
-you can inject one sample or
-you can inject 3 samples but you need to upgrade 2 position with white inserts for samples vials



-before you start you need to disconnect tray and reboot GC

So you can have 3 positions for samples.

Regards

Tomasz Kubowicz

[GasMan]

I think that you also need to renumber the vials in your sequence. When you have a tray, you would use vial 1, vial 2 etc. If you do not have a tray, you have to number the vial 101, 102 if using the front injector and 201,202 if using the rear injector.

Gasman

[Peter Apps]

OK, here is a really radical suggestion from a really old chromatographer - inject manually ! Honestly, it won't accelerate the end of the universe.

Peter

[vikiBPI]

Hi Peter,

As I have never had to do that before I would'nt know where to start...

Viki

[Peter Apps]

Hi Peter,

As I have never had to do that before I would'nt know where to start...

Viki

It is a necessary skill, but not something that can be taught over the internet.

Peter

[kubowicz.tomasz]

Hello

With all respect...injector is something that makes your live easier so I still think that is better to use it All you need to do is unplugged tray and do below (using keypad in GC):



Regards

Tomasz Kubowicz

[vikiBPI]

Good morning everyone,

Thanks to your help I managed to find a (pretty extensive) way to get the samples injected withiut use of the tray and autosampler.

Many many thanks!

Best regards, Viki

[Epicness]

I am with Peter Apps on this one. A manual injection seems to be one of the simpler options.

Assuming you have Chemstation running your Agilent GC, load the appropriate analytical method. Clicking
"instrument -> select injection source" will allow you to select the column you intend to use (front or rear), and also allow you to change the injection source to "manual".

Next, click "run control -> sample info..." and enter any pertinent information such as sample ID, ISTD amount, mulitplier(s), etc, under the "sample parameters" portion of the box. When finished, click "Run Method" at the bottom. (A few other ways could accomplish this also; chemstation software tends to have that caveat).

The tower at that point would normally engage to run the sample; however, you have now changed it to a "manual" injection, so this will begin bringing the conditions of the instrument to the methods parameters.
***Wait until all parameters have gotten to their setpoint. *** (oven temp., inlet temp, pressure, etc) The "Chemstation Status" box should have "Run in Progress" in dark blue; and "Waiting for injection" in hot pink.

Lastly, prepare to inject the sample, remove the tower so that you will have access directly to the inlet. You can simply use the same auto-injection syringe installed on the tower to inject the sample. Basically go through the same steps the tower would have in regards to how it gets ready to inject a sample (rinse the syringe a few times with your rinse solvent, and a few times with the sample). With the appropriate amount of sample pulled into your syringe for analysis (depends on your method; 10 microliters is common), place the syringe needle through the septum nut at least 4/5 or so of the way, and inject your sample. Immediately after doing so; press "Start" on the GC keypad to begin analysis.

Hope this helps
Bret

[Peter Apps]

Good morning everyone,

Thanks to your help I managed to find a (pretty extensive) way to get the samples injected withiut use of the tray and autosampler.

Many many thanks!

Best regards, Viki

Well done !

This is a forum for sharing knowledge - so how about sharing what you did with us ?

Peter

[KM-USA]

Hello
With all respect...injector is something that makes your live easier so I still think that is better to use it All you need to do is unplugged tray and do below (using keypad in GC):


Regards
Tomasz Kubowicz

On a historical note, with our old 5890, to inject with tower only, I have to remove the tray card from the controller box, then use the turret inserts, and number 101, 102...

Of course, I do know how to inject manually too. And I would still inject manually to do troubleshooting, like to inject acetone, or some BSTFA to condition/clean non-polar capillaries which have had non-derivatized samples injected just before.

[vikiBPI]

Hi guys,

I believe it turned out to be a combination of Peter's and Bret's way.

First I disconnected the cable form the tray and rebooted GC and computer.

indicate the right method in the left side of the 'toolbar' in the online screen
instrument -> select injection source: I still choose GC autoinjection as I'm not confident enough to do it manually
instrument -> Edit GC 6890N parameters -> second tab: sample prep program ->Load: From turret position: Inject position (instead of 'No move') -> "apply"
run control -> sample info: choose vial nr. 101( as that's the only number available if you work with regular turret + front injector) + necessary information -> "run method"

Big disadvantage: I have to do this every 25 minutes as I can't have one sample injected several times (that's how we do it normally) with above described way (=single runs)

best regards, Viki

[kubowicz.tomasz]

Hello

What is the problem with your tray anyway? If arm is broken the repair is not rally expensive - normally is tension belt or one small motor inside to be replaced.

Regards

Tomasz Kubowicz