1. Simdis Trouble Shooting
AC Analytical Controls
February 2001

2. Problem areas Contamination Leaks and column septum bleed
Electronic / mechanical failure

3. Baseline symptoms Ghost peaks : Contamination by septum
Solvent / wash bottles in auto sampler is contaminated
Wrong syringe in auto sampler

4. Baseline drift Leak Saturated filter Carrier gas purity
Carrier gas line
Improper column installation
Saturated filter
Carrier gas purity
Column contaminated with HB components

5. Poor peak shape Column overload Bad column – liner connection
Broken column
Old column

6. No peaks Auto sampler / syringe problems Incorrect signal assignment
Flame out
No carrier gas

7. Poor Separation Bad column – liner connection
Check method instrument settings
Flow too high
Contaminated calibration mixture
Old column

8. Reference Off spec. Contaminated solvents causes a bad blank
Detector nut leak
Incorrect calibration table settings
Septum leak
Column overload

9. Low Calibration Peaks Preparation of calibrant mixture
Hydrogen / air ration on FID
Detector leak
Restricted FID
Wrong FID jet