7-1
Ver.1.36
CHAPTER 7 TROUBLESHOOTING
Symptoms, causes, and their solutions are summarized below. If your problem persists after
implementing the suggested solutions, or if you experience problems not addressed here, contact
your nearest sales office or contact Frontier Laboratories directly: www.frontier-lab.com.
7.1 PYROLYZER FURNACE
See section 7.3
Check joints between column and GC injection
port. Replace the septum
No signal from GC detector
Consult your GC operation manual.
See section 7.3 (2)
Inspect the ITF needle.. If it is clogged, replace
the ITF needle.
Abnormal diffusion from
pyrolyzer furnace up to
column inlet
Pyrolysis temperature too
low
Increase pyrolysis temperature by 100ºC.
Abnormal diffusion from
pyrolyzer furnace up to
column inlet
Increase split vent flow.
Pyrolysis temperature too
low
Increase pyrolysis temperature by 100ºC.
Low recovery of high boiling
compounds
Peak tailing of high boiling
compounds
ITF and injector temperature
too low
Increase temperature.
Eg.: from 200ºC to 300ºC
Do not set GC injector temperature over 350ºC
unless absolutely necessary.
GC/MS ITF temperature too
low
Increase the temperature.
Abnormal ghost peaks appear
in the high temperature region
Not all pyrolyzates have
eluted from the column
Use Selective Sampler to prevent high boiling
compounds from getting into column.
Use high temperature resistant column and
bake column after each run.
Septum debris in insert liner
Contaminated pyrolysis tube
See section 6.1.2 for details.
Quartz pyrolysis tube and
needle union are stuck
together
Phenomenon due to thermal
shrinkage of graphite Vespel
ferrule
Heat ferrule with torch flame to soften and
expand the ferrule.