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4.2
Operation
1. Ensure that the drain trap is pushed fully down on its clip. Ensure that the drain trap has
solution in it and that no air locks are present. If necessary, purge by adding deionised
water and allowing the surplus to run away.
2. Close the fuel valve by turning fully clockwise. To avoid damaging the valve, it should
not be forced.
3. Turn the fuel valve the required number of turns anti-clockwise depending on the fuel
being used.
Fuel
Propane
Butane
Natural gas
L.P.G.
4. Turn on the fuel supply at source i.e. cylinder.
5. Switch on electrical power by depressing the power switch. If the air compressor is
powered separately, switch on the air compressor. Ensure that air is present by
listening for the hissing created as it passes through the nebuliser.
6. Depress the ignition switch and hold down. Watch the FLM indicator in the display
window. When this indicator is illuminated the flame is alight and the ignition switch can
be released. If the FLM indicator does not light within approximately 20 seconds,
release the switch and open the fuel valve one turn. Allow the gas to disperse before
continuing. Depress the ignition switch for a further 20 seconds. This process may be
repeated until successful ignition occurs. If the fuel valve has to be opened more than 5
turns more than recommended above, refer to Section 7.5.
7. Set the filter select control to the desired position.
8. Aspirate deionised water and set the readout to zero by adjusting the blank control.
9. Aspirate a standard solution of slightly higher concentration than expected in the
samples to be tested. Adjust the fine and coarse control until a positive reading is
obtained. This is a nominal value to be used in optimising flame conditions.
10. Adjust the fuel valve in a clockwise direction until a peak reading is obtained.
NOTE:
There is a time delay between adjusting the flow of fuel and seeing
the effect of the adjustment. A pause of a few seconds is therefore
necessary between making every fine adjustment.
The optimum flame conditions are different for Na and K and
retuning is necessary when switching between elements.
11. For optimum performance the instrument should be allowed 15 minutes to warm-up.
During this warm-up period a blank deionised water sample should be aspirated. It
should be noted that results, adequate for most purposes, can be obtained from switch
on, although standardisation settings will need frequent checking during the warm-up
period.
Number of turns
3
4
Fully open
3.5
16
PFP7/REV C/01-08
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