UPLC TUV Detector - System overpressure error due to clogged flow cell - WKB24577

SYMPTOMS

• Overpressure error on H-Class without column
• Error disappears when disconnecting the column inlet tube from the flow cell

ENVIRONMENT

• ACQUITY UPLC H-Class
• ACQUITY UPLC I-Class
• ACQUITY UPLC
• UPLC TUV Detector
• UPLC PDA Detector
• Alliance HPLC System
• 2695 Separations Module
• 2695D Dissolution Separations Module
• 2487 Dual-Wavelength Absorbance Detector
• 2489 UV/Vis Detector
• 2996 PDA Detector
• 2998 Photodiode Array Detector

CAUSE

Dirty, contaminated, and clogged flow cell

FIX or WORKAROUND

1. Purge the system with 100% water (hot water preferably)
2. Replace the column with a union
3. Set the column temperature above 50 ºC
4. Reverse the flow cell inlet and outlet tubes
5. Start the flow at a very low rate, ensuring that the back pressure remains below the maximum rating of 1000 psi for the UV flow cell
6. Flush the flow cell until the clog is removed (significant pressure decrease)
7. Reconnect flow cell inlet and outlet correctly
8. Flush flow cell further (with 100% water, at 0.5 mL/min, overnight if possible)
9. Verify that flow cell is clean with a standard test run

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The hot water temperature typically used is between ( 120 -140 °F ) (49°C -  60°C) .