Introducing regular maintenance checks to your operating procedures can vastly improve your AKTA Pure performance and minimise breakdowns. Simple issues such as kinked tubing or a blocked inline filter can negatively impact your chromatography results.
In addition to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommendations we have compiled a simple checklist for routine inspections:
Daily (before use)
- Calibrate the pH monitor (if equipped) before use. Use two different buffers and follow the unicorn on-screen instructions which can be found via the System tab, selecting Calibrate and choosing pH from the drop-down menu.
- Inspect the drip tray for liquid, which could highlight a potential leak. If a leak is suspected, check rinse and flow system connections.
- Perform system wash & cleaning methods before and after use and store in 20% ethanol (especially if the instrument is not used for an extended period).
- Inspect peek tubing for kinks, these can affect your results and contribute to additional back pressure within the system.
Weekly
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Change the rinse solution to prevent bacterial growth, using 20% ethanol. Fill the rinse tube with approximately 50ml and monitor the volume when changing the solution each week. A significant drop in volume may indicate a sealing issue which will need to be investigated further.
- Inspect the tubing connections for a build-up of salt deposits. Excessive build-up suggests a leak, and if left could potentially lead to a snapped connector when removed at a later occasion.
- Verify the pressure monitors. Disconnect the tubing connected to the relevant monitor and confirm the zero-pressure reading is within ±0.02MPa. Outside this range calibration is required which can be performed via the Calibrate tab in unicorn and selecting the required sensor from the drop-down menu.
- Replace the inline filters (Cytiva part number – 18102711).
- Clean the fraction collector sensors (if equipped) with 20% ethanol and allow to dry before use.
- Clean the instrument externally, focusing on tubing connection points & pumps.
Monthly
- Check & adjust the flow restrictor according to instructions found on page 269 of the AKTA Pure User Manual.
- Verify the pump flow restrictor function. Start by priming the inlet lines of each pump with water, then disconnect ports 2A, 2B, and 2S (if equipped) individually. Observe whether a steady flow of water exits from each port. A constant flow known as siphoning, suggests that the flow restrictors may require cleaning or replacement.
6 Monthly
- Clean the UV flow cell. Fill the cell with 10% detergent solution and leave for 20 minutes. Flush with distilled water.
- Replace the pH electrode and calibrate before use.
- Consider performing a system test every six months to verify the pumps and monitors are functioning within specification.
12 Monthly
Annual Preventive Maintenance (PM) is recommended and should include some of the following items:
- Pump seal kit replacement
- Mixer O-ring replacement
- Filter replacement
- UV & conductivity verification
- Performance tests
Automated maintenance notifications within Unicorn can be utilised to set reminders of any of these checks highlighted. The instructions for this can be found on page 256 of the AKTA Pure User Manual. You can also include additional inspections and tests as part of your Preventive Maintenance (PM) schedule or perform any of these checks more frequently if needed. To help determine the appropriate level of maintenance and frequency for your instrument, the following factors should be considered:
- Instrument Use - Is your instrument in use 5+ days a week? Are there prolonged periods of down time?
- Process Criticality - What is the potential impact and cost implication if your instrument fails during operation?
- Compliance- Is your instrument compliant and maintained accordingly to satisfy (OEM) recommendations?
At Service Lab, we offer customised maintenance solutions for your AKTA Pure instrument. Feel free to contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
The provided publication 'ÄKTA Pure User Manual' is for information purposes only. © Copyright Cytiva – Reproduced by permission of the owner.
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