Acquity UPLC H-Class Accumulator B Leaking Entirely to Seal Wash

Jpolymers
Jpolymers
in Instrumentation and Mass Spectrometry

Hi! I'm a graduate student searching for answers for why the accumulator for our UPLC leaks all solvent to the seal wash (red circle). Normally our system runs at ~10000 psi but currently maxes out at ~200-300 psi. If I separate pump B/accumulator from the line, pump A works fine but when they are connected, both pumps exclusively leak into the seal wash from accumulator B.

To ensure it isn't due to anything with the seals I've swapped all the pump head seals and seal wash housing with accumulator A. The pump I swapped everything with still works but accumulator B still leaks everything.

I have a feeling it has to do with the plunger and how it sits within the seal wash housing. However, I swapped out the plunger and there was no change. The old plunger had no build up of salts or anything as we only use H2O and ACN. I've noticed there are periodic air bubbles in the seal wash which could be due to air getting in the system with each plunge of the plunger. However, the leak to seal wash is still the main issue I think.

Sorry for the rambling info. I've gotten help from the most knowledgeable people on our campus and called Waters support services but we haven't been able to fix it, so I'm running out of ideas on what to do. I'd greatly appreciate any advice from anyone with ideas about what might be wrong!

Answers

  • 0xChem
    0xChem
    Hi Jpolymers, 

    If you swapped your entire B Accumulator Pump head with the A without disassembling it then I think I see your issue from the image provided. It looks like your little hook for leaks is actually sitting between the pump head and the backing plate. This won't allow you too tighten the pump head properly to the backing plate. I would try removing the pump head (leave the backing plate) and remove the hook and try tightening again. Again, this is only if you swapped the entire head together, else you would have seen this issue. I checked my systems and if properly torqued, there shouldn't be enough room for that metal hook to fit between your pump head and backing plate. That hook came from original BSMs having issues from leaks getting into the boards so Water's fix was a hook that would redirect the leak - not necessary for proper pump function. If its not that then reach out, I'd be glad to continue trying to help. Goodluck! 

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