PRIMACSMCS TOC

ANALYSER

CHAPTER 4: MAINTENANCE

Preface:

This chapter gives detailed routine maintenance procedures; follow

these procedures to keep your instrument in top working order.
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 4 Maintenance 4-1

4 MAINTENANCE
4.1 Routine maintenance, time based
Note: The duration periods given below are based on average usage; an
exact duration depends on the matrix of the samples being used, the
analysis range and how frequently the instrument is in use. The
mentioned hours are assuming continuous sample injections.
A. Daily (6 hours)
Check standards.
Measure standards in the TC and IC port to check the validity of the
calibration curves, available in previous runs.
Check the level in the acid solution bottle. Add acid solution if
necessary.
B. Weekly (30 hours)
Empty the waste vessels on the condensate traps of the TC and IC
port.
Note: See also the time based maintenance of the Formacs analyser.
C. Half-Yearly (720 hours)
Replace the halogen scrubbers in the Formacs analyser (depending on
status)
Replace the TC catalyst and the O-rings
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 4 Maintenance 4-2

4.2 Detailed maintenance

4.2.1 Changing the Catalyst

A. TC oven
B. Ceramic reactor tube
C. TC cap screw
D. Silicon O-rings (29.3 x 4.6)
E. Viton O-ring (25 x 2)
F. Ceramic insert tube
G. Coupling A
H. Coupling B
I. Silicon O-ring (32 x 2)
J. Serto coupling
K. PTFE tubing (6 x 1)
L. Hexagonal screw
M. Swagelok

Figure 4.1 Oven connections

Procedure:
1. Shut down the software program.
2. Close the gas supply.
3. Switch off the main power supply at the rear of the analyser.
4. Let the oven cool down for at least one hour.
5. Loosen and remove the four screws on the top cover above the TC
oven. Now the top cover can be removed (see Figure 4.2).

Figure 4.2 Figure 4.3

PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 4 Maintenance 4-3

6. Loosen and remove the two hexagon

bolts (visible from the top) on the heat
sink and coupling B (H) and remove the
heat sink. Remove the coupling with the
gas outlet (see Figure 4.1).
7. Carefully take the ceramic insert tube out
of the ceramic reactor tube with the aid of
a pair of tweezers (see Figure 4.3).
8. Remove the quartz wool plugs and the
catalyst from the insert tube.
9. Replace with new catalyst and quartz
wool. Make sure there is enough quartz
wool to avoid any of the catalyst escaping
(see Figure 4.4).
10. Replace the ceramic insert tube in the
ceramic reactor tube. Make sure that the
silicon rings (E) and (I) are in place.
11. Replace the coupling and the heat sink
and tighten the screws.
12. Open the gas supply and check the gas Figure 4.4
flow.
13. Replace the top cover, replace and tighten the four screws.
14. Switch on the power supply.
15. Make a new calibration curve, as a new catalyst normally causes some
differences to the peak area.
Note: It is not necessary to disconnect the white output tube.
AVOID HANDCONTACT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITH THE QUARTZ
TUBE.
A GLOVE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
4.2.2 Changing the ceramic reactor tube
Procedure: (see also Figure 4.1)
1. Follow step 1-5 of the previous chapter.
2. Loosen the upper cap screw
(C) with the aid of a hook
wrench (provided in the toolkit)
and lift coupling A (G) together
with the ceramic insert tube
from the reactor tube. Put this
aside on a safe place.
3. Remove the insulation packing
material situated in the gap
between the insulation material
of the TC oven and the reactor
tube.
4. Unscrew the reactor tube from
the cooling base plate by
loosening the nut by hand or
with the cylindrical pin (see
Figure 4.5).
5. Replace the ceramic tube by a
new one in the cooling base Figure 4.5
plate and carefully tighten the
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 4 Maintenance 4-4

nut strongly by hand or lightly with the hook wrench.

6. Replace and tamp the insulation packing material in the gap between
the insulation material of the TC oven and the ceramic reactor tube.
7. Replace the cap screw (C), the two silicon rings (D) and coupling A
with the ceramic insert tube and carefully tighten the screw strongly by
hand or lightly with the cylindrical pin.
8. Replace coupling B and the heat sink and tighten the screws
9. Open the gas supply and check the gas flow.
10. Close the top cover, replace and tighten the 4 securing bolts.
11. Switch on the power supply.
4.2.3 Changing the IC sealing O ring
WARNING!
THE ACID TUBING CONTAINS STRONG ACID!
OBSERVE ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING WITH
STRONG ACID. ACID RESISTANT GLOVES MUST BE WORN. AFTER
DISCONNECTING THE TUBING PLACE THE FREE ENDS INTO AN
ACID RESISTANT VESSEL TO AVOID DANGEROUS SPILLAGE.
Procedure:
1. Loosen the screw head half a turn and remove the IC tube.
2. Then loosen the screw head until loose.
3. Remove the O-ring and replace by a new one (cat.no 90039564)
4. Replace the screw head and tighten it to the IC reactor.