Putting the device into operation

Safety considerations

Because this device is heated, it requires installation in an unobstructed area and must not be positioned next to highly flammable objects. The fan outlet on the right side and the air vents on the front side of the device must remain free to allow sufficient cooling of the device and the integrated electronics.

Mounting the gas flow bubble meter

Unpack accessories of the flow meter pack, it should contain: Flow meter tube, rubber bulb, mounting brackets, silicon tubing, screws M3

· Two threaded holes are provided on the left hand side of the chromatograph. Fasten the mounting brackets with two screws M3, horizontal part of the bracket at top

· Push the flow meter tube through the upper mounting bracket from the bottom up, then through the lower bracket from above..

· Fill the rubber bulb with soap solution (20 ml water and a drop of liquid detergent)

· Push the rubber bulb over the lower end of the flowmeter tube, wetting the glass end will help.

· Attach rubber tubing to the sidearm of the Bubble Flowmeter. The silicon tubing is then fed through a hole into the upper part of the GC housing.

Electrical connections

Power supply:

This device requires the usual mains supply voltage of 220-240V A.C. Viewed from the front, the supply voltage is fed in on the left by means of the accompanying connection cable for cold equipment. The main switch and fuse are also integrated in this terminal.

Connecting the control elements:

A standard PC connector panel is located on the right side of the device. All external devices (VGA monitor, USB flash drive, printer, keyboard and mouse) must be connected before the device can be operated. The plug of the monitor should be screwed tight to prevent loose contacts and increase operational reliability. Mouse and keyboard must be plugged into their corresponding colored connectors.

Connector panel

Gas connection for TCD units

The carrier-gas connection for TCD units is also located on the left side of the device. We recommend using helium as the carrier gas for TCD units, as it is non-hazardous and ensures a sufficiently high sensitivity of the detector. The pressure reducer of the gas pump is connected using the components in the accompanying set of accessories. Connect one end of the hose from this set of accessories to the gas pump and the other end to the gas chromatograph. Hand-screw the union nut initially, and then tighten it gently with the spanner. Do not tighten the nuts too much! The gas pump is to be equipped with two-stage pressure reduction valve. Connections on the pressure reduction valves are not standardised, although the adapter supplied by us fits most valves. First attach the Teflon line with 1/8" tube adapter included in the connection set to the chromatograph. Hand-screw the union nut initially, and then tighten it gently with the spanner.

We recommend using helium with a purity grade of 5.0 (99.999%) for the device.

Larger quantities of oxygen in the carrier gas damage the separation column and the filaments in the detector.

Turn on carrier gas prior to operating the device!

Gas connection for FID units

Gas chromatographs with a flame ionisation detector principally need to be operated with three different types of gas:

1. The carrier gas

2. Hydrogene for the FID

3. Purified air (free of hydrocarbons) for the FID

One important advantage of the GC-CGA-3 compared with other devices is that it generates the purified air itself. Consequently it only has two connections for the hydrogen and carrier gas respectively. If hydrogen is also used as the carrier gas, then only one type of gas is required. In this case, the two connections are linked with a T-piece included in the scope of supply. The gas connection leads as well as the adapters for the hydrogen and carrier gas need to be ordered separately.

Two connection sets are required for operation with two gases. First attach the two Teflon lines with 1/8" tube adapters included in the connection sets to the chromatograph.. Hand-screw the union nut initially, and then tighten it gently with the spanner. Then screw the transition pieces to the pressure reduction valves. As these transition pieces are not standardised, no matching spanner has been included in the scope of delivery. Tighten these screw connections firmly. Then attach the 1/8" tube connections to the transition pieces. Ensure that the hydrogen lines are connected to the terminals designated H2.

If the device is to be operated using only one type of gas, screw the accompanying T-piece to both gas inlets on the device and establish the connection with the hydrogen cylinder. In this case, only one connection set is required for hydrogen.

· . Only use suitable pressure reduction valves with a low output pressure

· Hydrogen must only be handled by qualified personnel.

· If hydrogen is used as the carrier gas: Check the column connections regularly and tighten if necessary.