OI Analytical 5380 - Preparing the PFPD for Operation

Chapter 4 45
Installation
22. Open the valves regulating the air and H
2
gas supply to the Auxiliary Pressure
Control Manifold.
23. Using the GC’s front panel (or software control), turn the Aux 3, Aux 4, and
Aux 5 flow rates to zero. Confirm that there is no flow.
24. If using a 2-mm combustor, use the GC’s front panel to set the gas supply
pressure for Aux 3 (H
2
) to 20 psi. Measure the gas flow from the barbed fitting
and adjust the pressure until the flow reaches 11.5 mL/min for sulfur mode or
9.0 mL/min for phosphorus mode. Similarly, set the pressure for Aux 4 (Air 1)
to 12 psi and adjust it until the gas flow for Air 1 reaches 10 mL/min. Finally,
set the pressure for Aux 5 (Air 2) to 16 psi and adjust it until the gas flow for
Air 2 reaches 10 mL/min. Once these flow rates have equilibrated, do not
make any further adjustments to the control valve settings until you are ready
to optimize the operating parameters of the PFPD (see Chapter 5).
25. If using a 3-mm combustor, use the GC’s front panel to set the gas supply
pressure for Aux 3 (H
2
) to 20 psi. Measure the gas flow from the barbed fitting
and adjust the pressure until the flow reaches 13 mL/min for sulfur mode or
10.5 mL/min for phosphorus mode. Similarly, set the pressure for Aux 4 (Air
1) to 12 psi and adjust it until the gas flow for Air 1 reaches 9.5 mL/min.
Finally, set the pressure for Aux 5 (Air 2) to 16 psi and adjust it until the gas
flow for Air 2 reaches 10 mL/min. Once these flow rates have equilibrated, do
not make any further adjustments to the control valve settings until you are
ready to optimize the operating parameters of the PFPD (see Chapter 5).
26. Detach the flowmeter, remove the barbed fitting, and install the flame arrestor
into the detector cap.
Preparing the PFPD for Operation
To use the Model 5380 PFPD, the PFPD assembly must be disassembled to install
the GC column and combustor. Depending on the element to be analyzed, it may
also be necessary to change the optical components. The steps necessary for each
of these operations are described below.
Disassembling the PFPD
The PFPD is shipped without a combustor in place. The combustor must be
installed prior to operation.
CAUTION: Never use bare hands to disassemble the PFPD. Never handle tool
parts used to remove or replace internal parts of the detector. Always use clean
latex gloves, and use the Teflon extractor device or Teflon-coated forceps to
remove and replace internal detector parts. Place detector parts on a clean, lint-
free lab tissue or in a clean glass beaker, unless otherwise stated.
!
CAUTION: The
combustor must
be removed
before disassem-
bling or reassem-
bling the detector
body from the
detector base.
Failure to do this
will break the
combustor.