We have GC Varian 3900. It started showing negative base line and sometimes it rise up with increase in temperature.

I cleaned the injector glass liner and detector but the problem is still there. I am new to GC. Please help me to diagnose and rectify the problem.

The effect of baseline rise can be caused by a reduction of flow due to increase in back pressure from a temperature ramp. Also the evolution of built up material from prior injections may also be contributing to the base line rise. These things can also effect your zero if you have re-zeroed after analysis has completed of previous sample injections. The first step is to check and make sure that your column head pressure is adequate. Then increase your gas flow to a higher rate than you normally run at. Check your columns max. temperature and set the column oven to 25 degrees below max. Leave the GC at those conditions overnight. Before you do that tell me what detector are you using. This can be a factor in using this process. If it is an FID detector leave the detector lit and rase the detector temp to 25 degrees above the highest temp the column will be at. After the GC has baked out for overnight reset the flows and temperature to your operating settings. Zero your output and then inject the normal volume you inject of clean extraction solvent. Run your temperature ramp. There may be peaks that roll out and there should be a baseline rise. but it should not be more than a 10% increase in height from your baseline. Let me know how this works out. You can also send me a printout PDF of your chromatogram before you start and your current conditions. john.tobin@tobintesting.com

Detector EFC flow exceeded

Our GC 3900 Varian system is indicating the problem detector efc flow exceeded maximum flow rate. We set Nitrogen pressure from cylinder at 80psi, carrier gas coloumn flow 3ml/min at 43psi pulse pressure and nitrogen as makeup gas with pressure 27ml/min. It was going on well. suddenly it started showing message detector efc flow exceeded maximum and makeup flow 103ml/min. after sometime efc closes all flows. what may be possible reasons. I have open the filters, and line before solenoid valve to remove any possible blockage, dropped the N2 pressure and even closed the supply but the problem is still there. when Makeup flow is set zero it is ok but when returned to previously set value (27ml/min)it shows 103 or 104 ml/min. Please let me know the reasons and possible remedial measures.

Hello!

I have a problem with the calibration of BTEX on a Varian 3900 GC. I've got nice chromatograms, the Peak Area rises as the concentrations go higher, but the final calibration looks bad and I don't know where the problem is. Do I have to write something or somewhere before calibrating or after calibrating? Is there a posibility to write Peak Areas in calibration or it goes automatically? Please, can you reply as soon as possible!

Best regards, Marina Bujan from Rijeka, Croatia

I think it probably depends on the software you are using with your instrument. You should be able to enter your calibration curve before shooting (at least with what I'm used to). There may be some way to manually enter peak heights to calibrate your run after it shoots (all of the programs we use at my lab have some way to do that, some easier than others). If all else fails you can also use ratios and linear regression if that isn't too much work.

Varian GC 3900 displays signal "Detector EFC maximum flow exceeded". Flow of only makeup gas is high (104ml/min actual against 27ml/min set) and EFC shuts off flow all gases (Nitrogen i.e. makeup, Hydrogen and air) to zero after about 30 seconds and blows makeup gas from flame tip. I try to autocalibrate but it does not work because of zero flow after a few seconds. Can any one help me to diagnose and rectify the problem? From where should I get a service manual for troubleshooting the problem?