Frequency Of Cleaning; Mass Spectrometer Maintenance Procedures - Thermo Scientific TSQ Series Hardware Manual

Table 5. Mass spectrometer maintenance procedures (Sheet 2 of 2)
Mass spectrometer component
Ion detection system
Electronic modules
PCBs
*
The frequency of cleaning the components of the mass spectrometer depends on the types and amounts of samples and solvents that are
introduced into the instrument. Cleaning of the Q0, Q1, Q2, and Q3 quadrupoles is rarely (if ever) required.
**
A Thermo Fisher Scientific field service engineer should perform this maintenance procedure.

Frequency of Cleaning

The frequency of cleaning the components of the mass spectrometer depends on the types and
amounts of samples and solvents that are introduced into the instrument. In general, for a given
sample and ionization technique, the closer a mass spectrometer component is to the source of the
ions, the more rapidly it becomes dirty.
• Clean the sample transfer line, sample tube, and API probe at the end of each operating day to
remove any residual salts from buffered mobile phases or other contamination that might
accumulate during normal operation. See
and API Probe"
• Periodically remove and clean the ion transfer tube and ion sweep cone of the API source. See
"Maintaining the Ion Sweep Cone and Ion Transfer Tube"
• The S-lens and exit lens (on the TSQ Vantage) or the tube lens and skimmer (on the TSQ
Quantum Access and TSQ Quantum Ultra) of the Q00 ion optics become dirty at a slower
rate than the API probe, ion sweep cone, and ion transfer tube. See
Exit Lens (TSQ Vantage)"
• The RF lens of the Q00 ion optics becomes dirty at a rate significantly slower than the API
source, tube lens and skimmer, or S-lens and exit lens. See
page
When the performance of your system decreases significantly due to contamination, clean the
components of the mass spectrometer in the following order:
• Clean the API probe, ion sweep cone, and ion transfer tube.
• Clean the S-lens and exit lens (on the TSQ Vantage) or the tube lens and skimmer (on the
TSQ Quantum Access and TSQ Quantum Ultra).
• Clean the Q00 RF lens and lens L0.
Generally, do not open the vacuum manifold. Cleaning the Q0, Q1, Q2, and Q3 quadrupoles is
rarely (if ever) required. (Q0 can be removed and cleaned along with Q00.) If you believe that the
Q1, Q2, or Q3 quadrupoles need cleaning, contact Thermo Fisher Scientific and schedule a visit
by a Thermo Fisher Scientific field service engineer.
Thermo Scientific
Procedure
Replace electron multiplier
**
assembly
Replace electronic module
**
Replace PCB
on page 60.
on
79.
Frequency
If noise in spectrum is
excessive or proper
electron multiplier gain
can not be achieved
**
If electronic module fails
If PCB fails
"Flushing the Sample Transfer Line, Sample Tube,
page 75.
Frequency of Cleaning
Procedure location
on page 70.
"Cleaning the S-Lens and
"Cleaning the Q00 Ion Optics"
TSQ Series Hardware Manual
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Maintenance
on
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