Dionex RF-2000 - Page 80

Operating Instructions RF-2000
78
Symptom Probable cause
Confirmation of
cause
Countermeasures
Transient spiking
Bubbles flowing
through the cell
With the flow cell
tubing connected,
remove the cell, and
check it under flow,
check for bubbles or
cell fouling.
1) Apply pressure to
the cell outlet side
lightly. Stop or
open the end of
the outlet pipe with
a finger lightly.
Sawtooth baseline
Bubbles flowing
through the cell
"
2) Degas the mobile
phase.
Continuous spiking
Bubbles flowing
through the cell/
Bubbles trapped in
the cell
"
3) Clean the cell
interior with
isopropyl alcohol.
Remove the cell
inlet tubing
connector and
force isopropyl
alcohol from the
outlet side with a
syringe. Take care
not to allow air
come in and
connect the inlet
side connector
and flow mobile
phase.
Spiking occurring
at every stroke of
the pump. No
equilibration of
baseline.
Bubbles trapped in
the cell
" 4) Cell rinsing
Drift
Noise is excessive
Cell window is
stained.
"
Drift
Swell
Impurities in the
mobile phase
The drift stops after
stopping liquid
supply.
5) Check the pump,
column, reservoir
and mobile phase
for dust or
impurities.
Noise is excessive.
Light source Iamp
degradation
Check the operating
time of the lamp.
6) Replace the lamp
with a new one.