7
6
Injector module endurance test
Module robustness was tested mechanically by
having ten different operators repeatedly insert
and remove the module. The operators had
widely varied skills and knowledge, with some
subjects having no prior GC experience. Two
operators were from the shipping department,
and two worked in order processing. Two had
limited GC knowledge and were the Quality
Manager and Product Manager of a different
product line. Finally, two engineers and two GC
scientists that also presided over all of the tests
participated. The module subjected to the test
was the “Instant Connect” SSL injector (S/N:
712300021), and the sequence applied by each
operator included powering off the GC,
removing the module, inserting the module, and
powering up the GC until it reached stand-by
condition. The total average test sequence time
was six minutes. Each operator repeated this
cycle ten times.
After each operator finished his or her cycle, the
column was connected again to the SSL injector
and FID detector, followed by a double blank
run. Ten automated injections of the
hydrocarbon mix completed the test. Tables 5
and 6 include the results of the last two runs
performed before starting the ruggedness test
and the two initial runs of the new sequence. It
is useful to note that the new sequence was
started the day after the last sequence of
injections was recorded. The variations of both
absolute peak areas and retention times indicate
the module performed perfectly without
requiring any maintenance.
nC10
nC12
nC14
nC16
nC18
nC20
nC22
nC24
nC26
nC28
nC30
nC32
nC34
nC36
nC38
nC40
Injection 9 before
IC swap
2754987
2779540
2709468
2720590
2662466
2694642
2671418
2666034
2640542
2660383
2748956
2756412
2705301
2768808
2658421
2670870
Injection 10 before
IC swap
2751265
2775027
2708032
2732281
2677453
2705799
2688053
2684329
2667261
2684684
2755387
2771243
2709754
2772642
2651536
2665536
Injection 1 after
IC swap
2767372
2791927
2719553
2738439
2664499
2693367
2672357
2657758
2643338
2655810
2738028
2745997
2704789
2768416
2664390
2670998
Injection 2 after
IC swap
2756768
2787601
2711585
2738364
2687682
2720242
2699762
2690563
2663741
2677520
2756966
2774421
2711745
2765971
2664631
2676359
Variation
-0.59%
-0.61%
-0.43%
-0.23%
0.48%
0.46%
0.58%
0.99%
0.90%
1.08%
0.63%
0.91%
0.18%
0.15%
-0.48%
-0.20%
Table 5. Variation in peak area before and after 100 times module replacement cycle
nC10
nC12
nC14
nC16
nC18
nC20
nC22
nC24
nC26
nC28
nC30
nC32
nC34
nC36
nC38
nC40
Injection 9 before
IC swap
2.562
3.935
5.253
6.447
7.525
8.507
9.408
10.235
11.003
11.717
12.383
13.010
13.598
14.153
14.678
15.185
Injection 10 before
IC swap
2.563
3.933
5.255
6.445
7.523
8.508
9.407
10.237
11.005
11.717
12.383
13.012
13.595
14.154
14.677
15.185
Injection 1 after
IC swap
2.563
3.935
5.253
6.447
7.525
8.507
9.408
10.238
11.003
11.718
12.385
13.010
13.598
14.153
14.678
15.183
Injection 2 after
IC swap
2.563
3.935
5.253
6.447
7.523
8.508
9.407
10.237
11.003
11.718
12.385
13.012
13.600
14.155
14.680
15.187
Variation
-0.03%
-0.04%
0.04%
-0.03%
-0.02%
0.01%
-0.02%
-0.02%
0.02%
-0.01%
-0.01%
0.02%
-0.02%
0.00%
-0.01%
0.01%
Table 6. Variation in retention time before and after 100 times module replacement cycle
