Warning Labels
SAFETY SUMMARY
The warning labels shown below are attached on the Model L-8900 high-speed amino acid analyzer.
Read the warning labels carefully, and check the instructions on them to acquire a clear understanding with reference to actual parts.
Periodically check the appearances of these warning labels to see if they are clean to allow easy reading over a safe distance.
If any one of the warning labels becomes illegible due to deterioration, contact you’re nearest Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation sales representative and service office of Hitachi High-Technologies
Corporation sales representative for replacement with a new one.
WARNING
AUTOSAMPLER MOVING
Can cause hand injury due to
needle of moving mechanism
Don’ t put your hand into
autosampler while running
P/N 852-8327
WARNING
BIOLOGICAL HAZARD
Sticking of waste solution to your body
can cause contagion.
Don’ t touch a sample without protective
device.
If waste solution sticks to your body,
wash it off immediately and disinfect the
affected area, then consult with a physician.
P/N 852-8320
WARNING
BIOLOGICAL HAZARD
Sticking of waste solution to your body
can cause contagion.
Don’ t touch a sample without
protective gloves.
If waste solution sticks to your body,
wash it off immediately and disinfect the
affected area, then consult with a physician.
P/N 852-8321
WARNING
BURSTING
Can cause injury if a sample
Container (made of glass or
polyethylene) bursts due to cracks.
Before applying pressure to a sample
container by means of N2 gas, check
for cracks and be sure to put the
container in the protective device.
P/N 852-8325
CAUTION CAUTION WARNING
Damage to needle by missetting sample HAZARD VOLTAGE
Be careful not to damage gears of
rack. Can cause death or serious
syringe moving mechanism!
Damage to needle renders measurements injury through electric shock.
Measurement is disable if gears of
Impossible. Ground properly.
syringe moving mechanism are
Make sure the sample rack does not move damaged. Don’ t remove the covers of
to the back side and the front side of Never move hook of syringe moving instrument.
Only service engineers are
the instrument, then attached the sample mechanism forcedly while autosampler
allowed to remove the covers
rack to its correct position. is turned on.
P/N 852-8326
P/N 890-9713 P/N 890-9703
CAUTION
HOT COLUMN OVEN
Can cause burns.
The column oven is hot.
Before accessing the column oven
for column replacement, etc., make
sure the temperature indication
on displayed is lower than 55℃
P/N 852-8323
CAUTION
HOT REACTOR
Can cause burns.
The reactor is hot.
Before accessing the reactor
for column replacement, etc., make
sure the temperature indication
on displayed is lower than 55℃
P/N 852-8324
CAUTION
HOT COLUMN AND COVER
Can cause burns.
The light source lamp and its cover
are hot.
Before lamp exchange, wait 20 minutes
after turning off instrument power
supply and make sure the lamp and
its cover are cooled.
P/N 852-8322
SAFETY - 18

6.2 Failure Diagnosis
6.2.1 Abnormal Pressure in Pump
Event
The pressure of pumps
1 and 2 is too high.
Pressure is too high
in pump 1 only.
Pressure is too high
in pump 2 only.
Pressure in both
pumps1 and 2 is
insufficient or fluctuates.
6.2.1
Point of Checkup Cause Checkup Result Remedy Remarks
Solenoid valve for
ninhydrin solution Remove column outlet 1. Replace the reaction column. Please contact our
Pressure Replace the reaction service department.
(R1 side) teflon tube from the mixer column. (Clogging
Reaction column becomes normal. 2. Check slow leak at the solenoid valve (R1 side).
faulty section and operate pump of reaction column) Pump head
1 only.
Checking method
(Slow leak) 1) Make sure that the pump 2 is stopped.
Check the flow path R1 teflon tube
Pressure does up to the column. 2) Remove the R1 teflon tube on the inlet valve
side of pump 2 (for ninhydrin). (ninhydrin solution)
not decrease. (Reaction column is
Check a section where normal.) 3) Make sure that the nitrogen gas pressure is
pressure is too high. 34 - 40 kPa.
4) Check if the R1 teflon tube leaks.
Checking method: (Wait for 10 minutes.)
1. Remove the column outlet 5) If there is any leak, the solenoid valve
teflon tube from the mixer must leak. It is required to replace the
section and operate the valve. Contact our service department. Liquid leak
pump 1 only.
2. Remove the line filter 3. Check the flow path up to the column.
outlet stainless pipe from
the column and operate
the pump 1 only.
1. Analytical column 1. Sealing chips 3. Remove the autosampler 1. Backwash of analytical column (Do not connect the
2. Line filter 2. Line filter or If the total pressure in
outlet stainless pipe from the line filter, auto column outlet teflon tube to the mixer.)
3. Auto sampler analytical column Analytical column 1) Connect the analytical column so that the
the column and operate sampler and ammonia
4. Ammonia filter clogged with the pump 1 only. filter column is 1 MPa or 1. Backwash flowing direction is reversed.
column impurities in 4. Remove the ammonia less, the analytical 2. Re-packing 2) Wash the column by feeding the regenerating
sample column must be clogged. solution into the column for 10 minutes and then
filter column outlet pipe
and operate the pump 1 the buffer (B-1) for at least 30 minutes (in the
only. same conditions for pump flowrate and column
1. Wash or replace temperature as the analytical conditions).
If the total pressure the line filter.
in the line filter, 2. Wash the injection 3) Connect the column so that the flowing direction becomes normal, operate the
auto sampler and valve in case of the pump 1 and check for reduction of column pressure.
ammonia filter autosampler 2. Re-packing
column is 1 MPa or clogged. Re-packing should be performed in case where the column pressure is not reduced after
3. If the ammonia backwash. (Refer to 6. Re-packing of column in the instruction manual.
more, the line filter column is clogged,
must be clogged. perform backwash
or re-packing for Refer to para. 6.3.15 for washing and replacement of line filter and para. 6.3.9 for washing of
the analytical injection valve.
column.
1. Removing of cloggings in preheat coil
1) Connect the preheat coil outlet side to the flow path filter section and operate the
1. Teflon tube between 1. Teflon tube Pressure of 0 MPa or more is abnormal. pump 2 to make the cloggings flow out. (Never connect it to the mixer section.)
pump 2 and mixer clogged Remove the preheat coil 1. Visually check the preheat coil and remove 2) If the cloggings remain after execution of step 1) above, pull out the preheat coil and
2. Clogging with
2. Flow path filter of connected to the mixer cloggings. inject acetone into the teflon tube with an injector for removing the cloggings.
pump 2 pump sealing section and operate pump 2. 2. Wash the flow path filter. 2. Washing flow path filter Filter
chips Wash the flow path filter by ultrasonic cleaner
(with distilled water). Holder
Refer to para. 6.3.3 for washing of flow path filter.
1. If the pressure is out of the range Set the supply pressure of Flow path filter
of 34 - 40 kPa, adjust the pressure Pressure decreased nitrogen gas cylinder at 0.05
Nitrogen gas by turning the regulator knob - 0.1 Mpa 1. If the pressure in the nitrogen gas unit is decreased, the pump inlet valve is brought into
Nitrogen gas unit pressure down clockwise. negative pressure. This produces bubbles inside the pump to disable solution to be fed
2. Check for loosening of reagent to the pump, preventing an increase in pump pressure.
bottle rubber stopper cap and Pressure not
tighten it as necessary. decreased OK 2. If a reagent bottle cap is loosened, more nitrogen gas will be consumed due to leak from
the bottle mouth ring.
Cap Cap
Flow path (respective Buffer bottle
Liquid leak Visually check all the flow path piping connections and retighten the leaking sections. Reagent bottle
connection sections)
Use a spanner for further tighening the connections with setscrews. Other connections
In case of liquid leak into the drain tube, including teflon tube, in particular, should be tightened with hand. (Or, the teflon tube
Drain valves of pumps Drain valve knob Tighten the knob fully. inside is crushed to cause clogging.)
1 and 2 loosened replace the seal.
For replacing the seal, refer to para. 6.3.2.
Injection valve in auto
sampler
In case of liquid leak from injection valve,
Liquid leak from Visually check for liquid leak disassemble and wash the injection valve or
injection valve from injection valve For replaceing the rotor seal, refer to para. 6.3.9
replace a rotor seal.
6-5

Event Point of Checkup
Pump unit (common)
Reagent bottle inside filters
(common)
Filter
Pressure in pumps 1
(or 2) is insufficient or
fluctuates.
Injection valve of auto
sampler (pump 1 only)
6.2.2 Baseline Noise
1. Results of noise test
are too high.
CH1 : 50 or more Nitrogen gas unit
CH : 100 or more
2. Noise appears on
chromatogram.
Pump unit
Flow path filter
Line filter
Photometer lamp
Photometer cell
6.2.2
Cause Checkup Result Remedy Remarks
Bubbles produced
in the pump valve. Open the drain valve for purging.
Contamination in pump Disassemble and wash the inlet valve, For washing method, refer to para. 6.3.1 or 6.3.5.
valve (seal chips) outlet valve and pump head.
Service life of Replace the pump seal For replacing pump seal, refer to 6.3.1.
pump seal expired (service life: approx. 1 month).
Filter clogged
(adhesion of Wash the filter by ultrasonic cleaner. For replacing the filter, refer to 6.3.4.
reagent Otherwise, replace the filter.
contaminant)
Service life of
rotor seal expired For replacing the rotor seal, refer to 6.3.9.
Replace the rotor seal.
Set the supply pressure
Pressure in nitrogen gas cylinder at If the pressure in the nitrogen gas unit is decreased, the pump inlet valve is brought into
If the pressure is out of the decreased 0.05 - 0.1 MPa.
Nitrogen gas range of 34 - 40 kPa, adjust the negative pressure. This produces bubbles inside the pump to disable solution to be fed to
pressure the pump, causing noise on the baseline.
pressure by turning the
decreased regulator knob clockwise. Pressure not
decreased OK
Bubbles produced Open the drain valve to perform purge. When starting the operation of the system after it has not been used for a long time (1 week or
in pump valve more), be sure to purge the pump because bubbles must have been generated naturally in the
Check if the pump pressure
pump unit.
Seal chips in pump value fluctuates by 1 MPa Disassemble and wash the inlet valve, outlet 1. Wash the pump head (with the inlet valve and outlet valve mounted) by ultrasonic cleaner
valve and pump head.
valve or more on the monitor screen. (with distilled water).
Service life of seal 2. If the inlet valve and outlet valve cannot be washed enough in step 1 above, remove them
Replace the seal (service life: 1 month). from the pump head and wash them by the ultrasonic cleaner (with neutral detergent). For
expired (liquid leak)
details and cautions, refer to 6.3.1.
Remove the flow path filter
Clogging with from the pump and visually Wash the flow path filter by the ultrasonic
pump seal chips check it for presence of black cleaner.
seal chips.
Clogging with 1. The clogged line filter may increase pressure in the buffer pump. Wash and replace it
impurities in periodically (every 6 months).
sample or injection Remove the line filter from the filter unit and
wash it by the ultrasonic cleaner. 2. For preventing the line filter and column from being clogged, be sure to feed sample through
port seal chips of a 0.45 µm filter.
auto sampler
Check of running time Replace when the running time of 1000 hours
Degradation is reached or exceeded. For replacing the lamp, refer to 6.3.6.
(Maintenance screen of the CRT)
Remove the reaction column outlet tube
and connect an injector. Wash the cell by
Dust and bubbles injecting distilled water, acetone and then
again distilled water (5 mL or more each).
6-6
 6.2.3

6.2.3 Baseline Drift

Event Point of Checkup Cause Checkup Result Remedy Remarks

Drift (including waveness) Flow path connection Liquid Visually check and retighten the liquid Use a spanner for further tightening the connections employing setscrews. Other connections
leak leaking section. including teflon tube, in particular, should be tightened with hand. (Or, the teflon tube inside is
a a b
crushed to cause clogging.)
Operate pump 1 and pump 2 in this order and then
Insufficient warm-up wait 30 minutes or more (B-1 for pump 1 and R1 for 1. For preventing sample impurities from being accumulated, feed sample solution through a
a b pump 2 in 50%:50%). 0.45 µm filter in addition to pretreatment. (Avoid analyzing
b a sample with white suspension or precipitate.) Buffer
Accumulated impurities and contamination Regenerate and smoothen the column. 2. For extracting resin of an faulty column from the
Analytical column Elution of impurities
and contamination
column, connect the column so that its flowing
c
c Re-pack or replace the column. direction is reversed. Feed liquid into the pump Pump 1
to eliminate contamination.
Baseline floating Column
Buffer solution Make sure that there is no NH3 generated both at the
Entered NH3 Replace the buffer solution.
a location of installing the system and the storage for reagent solutions.
a

Gap
NH3 filter column Since the gap is caused by pressure rise in pump 1, prevent the flow path from being clogged,
If there is gap, repack or replace the column. referring to the para. of abnormal pressure, 6.2.1.
b
b

Check of running time Detailed Cautions on replacing lamp:

Photometer Replace when the running time of 1000 hours 1. Before replacing the lamp, turn off the POWER switch and wait for 20 minutes until the lamp is
lamp Degradation information screen of AAA module log
is reached or exceeded.
for environment setting cooled.
Large background for 2. For preventing finger prints from adhering, do not hold the lamp with bare hand.
baseline
Remove the reaction column outlet tube and 3. Carefully mount the lamp in place.
connect an injector. Wash the cell by For replacing the lamp, refer to 6.3.6.
Zero adjustment of Dust and bubbles
baseline cannot be Photometer cell injecting distilled water, acetone and then
performed. again distilled water (5 mL or more each).

Degraded ninhydrin solution Check the CH2 chromatogram according to the para. of degraded sensitivity, and replace the solution if degraded.

6.2.4 Faulty Performance

Degraded sensitivity
1. Liquid leak from
syringe valve When starting the operation of the system after it has not been used for a long time (1 week or more),
2. Suction volume 1. Rotor seal degraded in 1. Replace the rotor seal. be sure to perform purge because bubbles must have been generated naturally in the syringe system
Syringe valve or syringe insufficient of syringe valve 2. If it is impossible to remove bubbles flow path. (Also refer to the para. of degarded reproducibility of peak area.)
in auto sampler syringe (Bubbles 2. Removal of bubbles in the syringe, replace the syringe.
generation in
syringe)

Coloring of If the peak height of Asp - Glu is lower than For reference, normal Pro/Asp (peak height ratio) is 3.0 or less in the standard assay.
CH2 (440 nm) ninhydrin solution Data in Data in that of Pro, ninhydrin solution is degraded.
chromatogram degraded normal abnormal Replace the ninhydrin solutions (R1, R2).
condition condition

Sample impurities and Impurities and If there is impurity or contamination, repack or For preventing sample impurities from being accumulated, filter sample through a 0.45 µm filter in
Analytical column flow path contamination contamination replace the column. addition to pretreatment. (Avoid analyzing a sample with white suspension or precipitate.)
Separation degraded accumulated in the
column, or gap in Since the gap is caused by pressure rinse in pump 1, prevent the flow path from being clogged,
column Gap If there is gap, repack or replace the column.
referring to the para. of abnormal pressure, 6.2.1.
Column temperature Check the chromatogram with the analytical
and buffer changeover conditions (peak moving table) in the Refer to para. 4.1.7 for protein hydrolyzates assay and 4.2.7 for phisiological fluid assay in the
Analyzing program timing (phisiological instruction manual and change program instruction manual.
fluid assay) appropriately.

Degraded reproducibility Injection port in Liquid leak from Further tightening

auto sampler Liquid If there is liquid leak, replace the injection port. For replacing the injection port, refer to para. 6.3.10. (Also refer to the para. of degraded sensitivity.)
of peak area Seal leak injection port seal of injection port
Large
dis-
persion If there is noise on the baseline, take remedy for pump 2
Unstable flowrate in pump 2 Pump unit in accordance with the para. of baseline noise.

Degraded reproducibility of
peak position
Coloring of ninhydrin Check the CH2 chromatogram according to the para. of For preventing degradation of ninhydrin solution, be sure to pressurize the reagent bottle with nitrogen
degraded degraded sensitivity, and replace the solution if degraded. gas even after completion of analysis.
Unstable flowrate in pump 1 Take remedy in accordance with the para. of
“Pressure in both pumps 1 and 2 is
insufficient or fluctuates”.
Liquid leak from flow path

6-7
 N2 gas
IN Soft nylon tube
Regulator
Manifold（4W）
OUT
1.0TT M2 IN

Secondary pressure Primary pressure

3 2
1.0TT 1.0TT 　0.05～0.1MPa 　1～14.7MPa

Degasser vacuum pump Two-way

solenoid valve
Three-way
NO 1 (2 pcs.)
solenoid valve 1.0TT

IN IN
NC 1.0TT Pressure sensor
Drain
Drain
IN
1.0TT
1.0TT OUT OUT
N2 gas unit

2.5VT
IN 10
2.5VT
　1 9 2.5VT
2 8
2.5VT 2.5VT

1.0TT
1.0TT
APPENDIX3. FLOW PATH

Manifold（10W） 3 7
4 2.5VT
M2 2.5VT 6
5
Washing Buffer Buffer Buffer Buffer Buffer Buffer MIN MIN Distilled
solution solution solution solution solution solution 2.5VT solution reagent reagent water

2.5VT
C－1 B－1 B－2 B－3 B－4 B－5 B－6 R－1 R－2 R－3

1.0TT
1.0TT

1.0TT
1.0TT
1.0TT
1.0TT
1.0TT

1.0TT

1.5TT
1.0TT
1L 1L 1L 1L 1L 1L 1L 1L 1L 1L

1.5TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT

Degasser
deaerator
tube
300µL 470µL 470µL 470µL 470µL 470µL 470µL 470µL 470µL 470µL

Solenoid
B-1 B-2 B-3 B-4 B-5 B-6 R-1 R-2 R-3
valve
1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT 1.0TT

4 Pump unit P2 Automatic purge

3 5 valve2 (option)
Manifold（6W） 0.8ST 0.8ST Pressure sensor 3
M4 6
2
2 0.33TT 1
7
1
Filter
NO 5µm Drain
1.0TT
Three-way
NC solenoid valve
Drain
IN 1mL／min

Selenoid valve unit Automatic purge Damper coil

0.8ST 0.8ST Pressure sensor valve1 (option) 0.25ST 0.33TT×3m
3

2 Line filter
0.5TT 1 2µm
Filter Column oven
5µm
1.0TT
Drain Preheat coil
1mL／min Drain 0.25ST×0.3m
0.5TT
Pump unit P1
Separation column
Φ4.6×60L
packing material
＃2622SC
1 2
Injection valve
Joint 0.8ST
0.5ST 6 3
Anmonia column 1 Mixer
Φ4.6×40L
Sample loop packing material
4 ＃2650L 3
5
2
0.17ST

0.25ST 1.0ST Joint

Reaction unit（135℃）
1.0ST

Preheat coil
Washing
3 0.25ST
port
4
2
Syringe valve Reaction
Needle column（2）
5 1 Φ4.6×40
Sample
Injection tube
Drain
1.0TT

Syringe Joint

Visible rays photometer

570.440／700nm
APPENDIX - 5

flow cell
Autosampler unit Φ1.3×6mm
0.8TT 0.8TT 　volume
0.8TT 8µL（black quartz） PD
P1 P2 0.33TT×3m PC（data processingz）
Pump head washing mechanism

Degasser vacuum pump

Drain Washing port drain
Automatic purge valve1 drain
Activated carbon trap Automatic purge valve2 drain
Pump washing mechanism drain P1 drain
Three-way solenoid valve drain P2 drain

Waste solution tank 10L