Purged Optical Path Window Cleaning; Preventative Maintenance - Thermo Scientific iCAP 6000 Series Maintenance Manual

iCAP Customer Training Manual
To remove salt deposits wash the torch in an ultrasonic bath for five minutes in a dilute surfactant.
To remove metallic deposits from the tip, separate the torch quartz section, immerse the tip of the
torch in hot acid (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric similar to Aqua Regia is suitable)
After cleaning, rinse the torch with de-ionised water and place in a drying oven at 95º until it is
dry. Rinsing with a volatile zero residue organic solvent (propanol is suitable) will aid drying.
To clean the torch of carbon deposits, place the torch in a muffle furnace and heat to 750º. Open
the door for a few seconds to allow air to enter, close and allow the oven to reach 750º again.
Repeat this several times to remove all the carbon. Allow the furnace to cool over several hours,
as this will prevent stress building up in the quartz.
5.2.2.2 Spray Chamber Cleaning
Reverse the spray chamber assembly process detailed previously.
Soak the spray chamber in cold acid for two hours (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric similar to
Aqua Regia is suitable). After cleaning rinse the spray chamber in deionised water.
5.2.2.3 Nebuliser Cleaning
Reverse the nebuliser assembly process detailed previously.
Introduce a rinsing agent into the gas input and fill all areas previously exposed to sample
solutions, a squeeze bottle is suitable for this. Attach a low pressure clean gas line to the
nebuliser gas inlet to expel the liquid. Repeat several times.
Warning: On no account put the concentric nebuliser in an ultrasonic bath or
heated in an oven.

5.3 Purged Optical Path Window Cleaning

Before attempting to clean the Purged Optical Path (POP) window (note: there are two on a Duo
configuration instrument) turn off the plasma and allow thirty minutes for any hot areas to cool
down.
Open the small access door next to the sample compartment door and withdraw the POP window
assembly.
Warning: do not open this access door when the plasma is running, there is a
potential UV radiation hazard.
All mirrors in the optical system are coated do not to touch the mirror below the
radial view POP window in the Duo configuration.
Remove the quartz window from the POP and soak in cold acid for two hours (a mixture of nitric
and hydrochloric similar to Aqua Regia is suitable). After acid soaking rinse in de-ionised water,
then with a volatile zero residue organic solvent (propanol is suitable) to aid drying.

5.4 Preventative Maintenance

The iCAP 6000 has been designed for minimum maintenance; however periodic checking of
performance is required by many laboratories. This is particularly important for customers subject
to external standards and regulations (for example ISO9000, EPA or NAMAS). Details of these
options are available from a local Thermo Fisher Office.
All electrical supplies, gas supplies and extraction must be checked to insure local health and
safety guidelines and regulations are complied with. The gas and cooling water should be
checked for leaks at regular intervals.