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Optimizing Performance
When to use the Continuous Seal Wash Option
When to use the Continuous Seal Wash
Option
Highly-concentrated buffer solutions will reduce the lifetime of the seals and
plungers in your quaternary pump. The seal wash option allows to maintain
the seal lifetime by flushing the back side of the seal with a wash solvent.
The continuous seal wash option is strongly recommended when buffer
concentrations of 0.1 Molar or higher will be used for long time periods in the
quaternary pump.
The continuous seal wash option can be ordered by quoting part number
01018-68722 (kit contains parts for one pump head).
The seal wash option comprises a support ring, secondary seal, gasket and
seal keeper for both plunger sides. A wash bottle filled with water
/isopropanol (90/10) should be placed above the quaternary pump in the
solvent cabinet and gravity will maintain a flow through the pump head
removing all possible buffer crystals from the back of the pump seal.
NOTE Running dry is the worst case for a seal and drastically reduces its
lifetime.
The seal will build up sticky layers on the surface of the plunger. These sticky
layers will also reduce the lifetime of the primary seal. Therefore the tubes of
the wash option should always be filled with solvent to prolong the lifetime of
the wash seal. Always use a mixture of bidistilled water (90%) and isopropanol
(10%) as wash solvent. This mixture prevents bacteria growth in the wash
bottle and reduces the surface tension of the water. The flow rate should be
regulated to approximately 20 drops/minute. This can be done with the
velocity regulator supplied with the accessory kit.
For information on the installation of the continuous seal wash option refer
to “Installing the Continuous Seal Wash Option” on page 116.