Next Advance - Innovative Lab Products for the Life Sciences

Pressure Injection Cell Troubleshooting

If gas is leaking through the top-to-base interface of the pressure injection cell...
The three bolts may not be fully tightened or the O-ring may be nicked, dirty or missing. If the O-ring is dirty, wash it off with a soap and water and return it to its groove. Contact us for a replacement O-ring.

 If gas is leaking around the capillary...
The ferrule should be replaced.

 If you do not see sample traveling through the capillary after a few minutes...
Check that the gas tank is supplying the desired pressure (typically on the order of several hundred psi) and that the 3-way valve knob is pointing toward the pressurized gas line.

 If the media pulls back when you release the pressure...
When you are finished packing the column, turn off the pressure at the gas tank and let the column sit overnight so that the pressure in the cell leaks out through the packing. This avoids pull back of the packing media.

 When the 3-way valve open so that the gas goes into the bomb, the vent is hissing air...

• There might be a small particle in the valve. Try blowing air through the valve while rotating the knob.
• The packing around the valve might not be as “tight”, i.e. the nut might have come loose. Remove the black handle – using a hex wrench to loosen the set screw holding the handle in place. You will then see a nut. Check that it is tight. Then replace the handle.