Cleaning The Nebulizer - PerkinElmer aanalyst 200 User Manual

Maintenance

Cleaning the Nebulizer

To maintain optimum nebulizer performance you must periodically clean the capillary assembly,
and occasionally replace the sample tube.
When you aspirate concentrated samples with complex matrices, it is especially important to keep
the burner chamber and nebulizer free of deposits. It is beneficial to periodically aspirate a dilute
surfactant solution, such as 0.1% Triton X100, for several minutes to keep the system clean. The
surfactant will encourage constant drainage, which is essential for optimum burner system
performance.
If you suspect that the nebulizer is causing low absorbance readings or poor sensitivity (e.g.
cannot obtain expected characteristic concentration), before cleaning the nebulizer check that:
•
The sample tube is in good condition (i.e. no kinks), is not too long, and is clean. With a
longer sample tube, the rate of sample uptake, and thus the sensitivity, will decrease.
Recommended length: 20 cm.
•
The burner head is clean.
•
The burner is correctly optimized.
•
Correct operating parameters are used.
Clearing an obstruction in the nebulizer
Clean the nebulizer capillary whenever you notice degradation in absorbance values due to
blockage of the capillary. There are two ways to clean the capillary holder:
•
The first (simplified) way should be used if the nebulizer is not difficult to clear. This
method involves simply passing one of the cleaning wires, supplied, through the capillary
holder.
•
The second (complete) procedure requires shutting down the spectrometer, removing the
nebulizer from the end cap, and replacing the capillary tubing. This procedure must be
performed if you have no success with the first method.
Simplified Cleaning Procedure For AAnalyst Nebulizer
For simplified (light) cleaning of a standard the AAnalyst nebulizer capillary holder, proceed as
follows
1. Unscrew the capillary tubing from the nebulizer.
2. Take one of the cleaning wires (P/N 0303-0135) supplied, and push it through the capillary
holder from its wider (open) end.
NOTE: It may take several attempts to pass the wire through the nebulizer.
3. Repeat step 2 several times. Then replace the capillary (sample) tubing.
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