2005/09/01 · Figure 2 - Septum degradation (seen as ghost peaks). Following is a simple test that can be performed in the laboratory: Keep the column cold (30 °C) for 15 min, perform a blank run (no injection—only a temperature program up to 300 °C), and observe the baseline. After that run, cool the column to 30 °C again, keep it at 30 °C for 60 min