Removing The Ion Source Cartridge For Cleaning - Thermo Scientific TSQ 8000 Evo Hardware Manual

Removing the Ion Source Cartridge for Cleaning

Thermo Scientific
The ion source should be removed and cleaned according to your laboratory's schedule. Also
clean it if you notice deterioration in the performance of your instrument. The frequency of
cleaning is determined by the number of samples you run, as well as the types of samples you
run. Since the ion source is the component closest to the sample, it needs to be cleaned more
often.
The goal of cleaning the ion source cartridge is to remove any contamination from its
surfaces, which restores its electrostatic properties and reduces active sites that may hold on to
the GC effluent. You can clean the ion source cartridge using abrasive, sonic, or
electropolishing methods, but we recommend using abrasives.
To clean the ion source you will need the following items:
• Source removal tool
• Tweezers
• Source holder
• Clean work surface
• Gloves
Note Many nitrile and latex gloves not certified for clean room use contain silicone mold
releasing agents that will contaminate the instrument. For this reason, clean room gloves
are strongly recommended when handling the ion source. We recommend Cardinal
Health CP100 Nitrile Cleanroom Gloves. See the TSQ 8000 Evo Spare Parts Guide for
ordering information.
The following instructions will tell you how to clean the ion source cartridge using abrasives,
ultrasonication, and electropolishing.
1
Performing Routine Maintenance
Removing the Ion Source Cartridge for Cleaning
TSQ 8000 Evo Hardware Manual 27