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6
Routine Maintenance
Cleaning the LightPipe Flowcell
Cleaning the LightPipe Flowcell with Nitric Acid
88
Accela PDA Detector Hardware Manual
2. If necessary, flush the LightPipe flowcell with water to prevent a reaction between the last
solvent used in the chromatographic system and the cleaning solvent that will be used to
clean the flowcell.
CAUTION Thermo Fisher Scientific does not recommend using a syringe to force
solvent through the flowcell. Pressurizing the syringe could cause a leak or rupture,
resulting in a dangerous and uncontrolled spraying of solvent.
3. Flush the flowcell with 40 to 50 mL of cleaning solvent, for example, isopropanol or
methanol.
4. Flush the flowcell with water to prevent a reaction between the cleaning solvent and the
mobile phase that is used in your application.
5. For instructions on how to reinstall the LightPipe flowcell, see
Flowcell"
on
page
17.
Isopropanol or methanol is generally sufficient for cleaning a LightPipe flowcell. However, if
the LightPipe flowcell remains contaminated after flushing it with organic solvents, perform
the following procedure using nitric acid.
CAUTION Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing acid, and it can react vigorously with alcohols
(especially methanol). Be sure to wear protective clothing and eye protection and adhere
to safety procedures at your company for the proper handling and disposal of corrosive
acids. Flush the flowcell with water to remove all traces of alcohol before flushing it with
nitric acid.
To clean the LightPipe flowcell with nitric acid
1. Completely remove the LightPipe flowcell from the detector housing by following the
procedure in
"Removing the LightPipe Flowcell"
leaks from harming the mechanical and electronic components of the detector.)
2. Ensure that the column is removed from the chromatographic system to avoid column
degradation. Connect the LightPipe flowcell inlet directly to the chromatographic pump.
3. Flush the LightPipe flowcell with water. This prevents a reaction between the last solvent
used in the chromatographic system and the nitric acid solution will be used to clean the
flowcell.
4. Prepare a 20% (v/v) solution of nitric acid in HPLC-grade water.
CAUTION Thermo Fisher Scientific does not recommend using a syringe to force
acid solutions through the flowcell. Pressurizing the syringe could cause a leak or
rupture, resulting in a dangerous and uncontrolled spraying of acid.
"Installing the LightPipe
on
page
85. (This prevents possible
Thermo Scientific
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