PCX5200 User’s Manual Chapter 3
3-3
The PCX5200 uses three styles of fittings.
1. The high-pressure fittings are 10-32 x 1/16 inch Upchurch style. These fittings are
compatible with Valco, Parker CPI, Swagelok, or various of the polymeric nuts and
ferrules. The Valco Fittings can be indentified by a slightly longer fitting and in most
cases, they are found in areas that are labled Valco (ex.restrictors).
2. The low-pressure gas and reagent fittings are 1/4-28 x 1/8 inch size. These can be
used with either flared fittings or reversed-ferrule fittings.
3. The fittings for the over-pressure relief valve and external back-pressure regulator
are 1/4-28 x 1/16 inch and use reversed-ferrule type fittings.
Pickering Laboratories supplies all the matching nuts and ferrules needed for normal
assembly. Note that fittings and ferrules for the LC and detector are not supplied.
Note About
Fittings
Figure 3-2. Note the direction of the ferrules: normal for Upchuch, Parker, & Valco; reversed
for low-pressure 1/4-28.
Upchurch, Parker, Valco style 1/4-28 reversed-ferrule
1. Using the 3m tan-colored 1/8 inch Saran tubing (PN 2103-0463) , connect the “Gas In”
port on the external gas regulator to a supply of inert gas at 45–75 psi (3–5 bar).
When using metal compression fittings, be careful not to over-tighten as the tubing
can collapse or crack. Turn on the main gas supply. Switch the toggle valve to the ON
position to start gas flow. Let the gas system purge for about one minute. Switch the
toggle valve down to OFF.
2. Using the 0.5m Saran tubing (PN 2103-0463), connect the reservoir to the gas outlet
manifold. There are three fittings on each bottle cap; the gas tubing goes to the fitting
on top of the bottle cap. Each of these tubings has a 1/4-28 nut and ferrule already in
place. Plug any unused outlets of the manifold.
Note: Do not use polyolefin or fluorocarbon tubing. The Saran tubing is impermeable to
oxygen and is used to prevent degradation of oxygen-sensitive reagents. Fluorocarbon
tubing is 1,000 times more oxygen permeable than Saran tubing.
1. Assume that new reservoirs have not been cleaned. Wash the bottle with laboratory
detergent and hot water. Rinse with methanol then with deionized water. Wipe down
the dip tubes on the caps with methanol and a clean, lint-free cellulose tissue. Avoid
touching the tubings or the interior of the reservoir with your skin and do not leave
caps and lines dangling without a reservoir because this will cause contamination.
2. Connect the reagent line(s) from the rear of the PCX5200 to the reservoir(s). Connect
the Trione ninhydrin or OPA reagent bottle to the Saran tubing. Connect the other
Inert Gas
Reagent Reservoir
Connections
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