Performing A Drainage Test - GE AxiChrom 50 Operating Instructions Manual

6 Maintenance and service

6.3 Performing a drainage test

6.3 Performing a drainage test
The bed support can become clogged after many packing procedures. Typical signs of
bed support clogging are increasing pressure drop, tailing peaks, and sometimes even
shoulders on the peaks. To test if the bed supports are clogged a drainage test can be
performed.
1 Empty the column (see Section5.8 Emptying the column, on page105). Plug the bottom
2 Remove the adapter bed support from the adapter (see Servicing the stainless steel
3 Pour water into the column (approx. 25 cm height).
4 Place the adapter bed support at the bottom of the column tube.
5 Open the bottom outlet and record the time it takes for the liquid level to move every
6 Repeat steps 3-5 using clean bed supports.
7 Compare the drainage times. If the drainage times are at least 10% longer for the
142
outlet.
adapter bed support, on page 112 or Servicing the plastic adapter bed support, tubing
and rod top , on page 124) and remove the scraper seal and O-ring.
Note:
For plastic bed supports: Put some weight onto the bed support to keep
it in place at the bottom of the column. Place the weight so that it will not
harm the bed support. Use a new bed support as reference and the same
weight as used with the used bed support.
5 cm.
used bed support compared with the new then:
•
For stainless steel bed support: Clean the clogged bed support. To clean the
bottom bed support use the procedure described for cleaning the adapter bed
support using an ultrasonic bath (see Servicing the stainless steel adapter bed
support, on page 112).
•
For plastic bed support: Discard the clogged PE bed supports and replace with
new ones (see Servicing the plastic adapter bed support, tubing and rod top , on
page 124).
Note:
Make sure that the exact same tubings are used in the drainage test since
this can contribute to the pressure drop and thereby the drainage rate.
AxiChrom 50, 70 and 100 columns Operating instructions 28-9331-08 AG