Chromatography Forum

Hi!

We´ve experienced some unexpectedly high pressure yesterday in our machine and as a consequence the accumulator (left side) started leaking, so we´ve replaced the check valves and most of the seals in the unit, but still the leakage persists and it happens from the inside where the transparent plastic tubes enter the accumulator on both sides (inlet and outlet):

http://i.imgur.com/zSSZSyV.png

I´m pretty new to this, but the tubes are not really strongly placed in the fitting and can be pulled out easily, is that normal?
The amount of dripping mobile Phase is a couple of Drops per 5 minutes, so not much.

Questions:

Does someone have a Suggestion to stop the leaking?

Could it potentially be bad for the machine if I continue my measurements while it is leaking?

Looking Forward to your help/suggestions

Regards

these are the seal wash lines, not mobile phase (hopefully ). use some good washing solvent with a high amount of water without any buffer, e.g. methanol 20% for these lines. Goal is to dissolve any buffer-crystalls from the piston as not to scratch it or its seal.

use pliers or forceps to push them further in gently, overcomeing the resitance from the seal.

they aren't mounted that thight but shouldn't come out that easily neither.

Thanks for the very quick answer, I will try it today. And yeah I meant to say seal wash lines.