Removing The Ion Source Cartridge For Cleaning; Removing The Ion Source Cartridge - Thermo Scientific TSQ 9610 Hardware Manual

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Performing Routine Maintenance

Removing the Ion Source Cartridge for Cleaning

Removing the Ion Source Cartridge for Cleaning

Removing the Ion Source Cartridge

44 TSQ 9610 Hardware Manual
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 ISQ and TSQ GC-MS Spare Parts Guide
or ordering information.
The following instructions will tell you how to clean the ion source cartridge using abrasives,
ultrasonication, and electropolishing.
There are two types of vacuum probe interlocks: one for the Extractabrite ion source and one
for the NeverVent advanced ion source (AEI source). Each type of ion source has a different
type of source exchange tool that will only work with that instrument's vacuum interlock. The
AEI source exchange tool has a white plastic end and is marked AEI on the tool. The removal
procedures are similar, and the few differences are mentioned in this section.
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