Perform a Leak Test

  1. Use to enable the manual control of certain system valves and elevator components on the analyzer schematic. When this option is enabled, a checkmark appears to the left of Unit [n] > Enable Manual Control.If the analyzer schematic is not immediately visible, go to Unit [n] > Show Instrument Schematic.
  2. Prepare for the leak test:
  1. Set all heat zones to ambient temperature.
  2. Set all four flow controllers to 50 cm3/min.
  3. Allow the analyzer to cool to room temperature.
  This test must be performed in the order provided to ensure the analyzer is fully tested. Any flow reading other than zero indicates a leak in the gas flow path being tested.
  1. Preparation Gas Path tests:
  1. Right-click the analysis valve and select Analyze.
  2. Right-click the Prep. valves and select Flow Gas [n] (He).
  3. Plug the preparation gas exhaust outlet.
  1. Observe the preparation gas flow controller reading as it slowly drops to zero. A flow reading of zero indicates the flow path between the preparation gas flow controller and the preparation exhaust does not leak.

This tests all fitting connections in the gas flow path and part of the analysis valve. Any flow reading other than zero indicates a leak in the gas flow path being tested.

  1. To fix a leak that may be indicated on the preparation gas flow controller, tighten the fittings in the gas flow path and observe the reading for any decrease that would indicate that the leak has stopped.
  Any leak detected in the remaining steps of this procedure may be fixed by using the same process mentioned in Step 5.
  1. Right-click the preparation gas flow controller and select Stop Flow. This will close the helium valve.
  2. Remove the plug from the preparation gas exhaust outlet.

Carrier Gas Path Leak Test

  1. Right-click the cold trap Valve and select Bypass.
  2. Right-click the analysis valve and select Prepare.
  3. Right-click the loop valve and select Fill.
  4. Turn the pressure control knob on the helium gas regulator to deliver less than 5 psi.
  5. Right-click the carrier valves and select Flow Gas [n] (He).
  6. Plug the analysis gas exhaust outlet.
  7. Right-click on calibration valve B and select Close Valve, then repeat the step for calibration valve C.
  8. Observe the carrier gas flow controller reading as it slowly drops to zero.

A flow reading of zero indicates the flow path between the carrier gas flow controller and calibration valve B does not leak.

  1. Right-click calibration valve B and select Open Valve.
  2. Observe the carrier gas flow controller reading as it slowly drops to zero or remains at zero from the previous test.

A flow reading of zero indicates the flow path between the carrier MFC and the carrier exhaust outlet does not leak. This tests all fitting connections in the gas flow path and part of the analysis valve, part of the bypass valve, the transducer, the septum, part of the inject valve, and the analysis side of the thermal conductivity detector.

  1. Right-click the loop valve and select Inject.
  2. Observe the carrier gas flow controller reading as it slowly drops to zero or remains at zero from the previous test.

A flow reading of zero indicates the flow path between the carrier gas flow controller and the carrier gas exhaust outlet does not leak. This tests all fitting connections in the gas flow path, the remaining parts of the loop valve, and the loop.

  1. Install an empty sample tube on the sample port.
  2. Right-click the analysis valve and select Analyze.
  1. Observe the carrier gas flow controller reading as it slowly drops to zero or remains at zero from the previous test.

A flow reading of zero indicates the flow path between the carrier gas flow controller and the carrier gas exhaust outlet does not leak. This tests all fitting connections in the gas flow path, the sample tube, and the remaining parts of the analysis valve.

  1. Install a cold trap (or a delay path) on the cold trap port.
  2. Right-click the cold trap valve and select Trap.
  3. Observe the carrier gas flow controller reading as it slowly drops to zero or remains at zero from the previous test.

A flow reading of zero indicates the flow path between the carrier gas flow controller and the carrier gas exhaust outlet does not leak.

This tests all fitting connections in the gas flow path, the remaining parts of the cold trap valve, and the cold trap.

  1. Right-click the carrier valves and select Stop Flow to close the helium valve.
  2. Remove the plug from the analysis exhaust outlet.
  3. Reset the pressure on the helium gas regulator to its original pressure.

Loop Gas Path Leak Test

  1. Right-click the loop valve and select Inject.
  2. Right-click calibration valve C and select Close Valve.
  3. Right-click calibration valve D and select Close Valve.
  4. Plug the loop gas exhaust outlet.
  5. Right-click the Loop Gas Valves and select Flow Gas [n] (He) (or other appropriate gas) through the Loop Gas Flow Controller.
  6. Observe the Loop Gas Flow Controller reading as it slowly drops to zero.

A flow reading of zero indicates the flow path between the Loop Gas Flow Controller and calibration valves C and D does not leak. This tests all fitting connections in the small section of the gas flow path to Calibration Valves C and D.

  1. Right-click calibration valve D and select Open Valve.
  2. Observe the Loop Gas flow Controller reading as it slowly drops to zero or remains at zero from the previous test.

A flow reading of zero indicates the flow path between the Loop Gas Flow Controller and the loop gas exhaust outlet does not leak.

This tests all fitting connections in the gas flow path, calibration valves C and D, and the tubing to the loop valve.

 
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