Maintaining The Ion Sweep Cone And Ion Transfer Tube; Removing And Cleaning The Ion Transfer Tube - Thermo Scientific TSQ Series Hardware Manual

6
Maintenance

Maintaining the Ion Sweep Cone and Ion Transfer Tube

If you open the vacuum manifold, clean the electron multiplier and conversion dynode by blowing
them with a clean, dry gas. If you do not open the vacuum manifold, the electron multiplier and
conversion dynode do not normally require cleaning, although rarely the electron multiplier might
require replacement.
CAUTION As with all chemicals, store and handle solvents and reagents according to standard
safety procedures. Dispose of them according to local and federal regulations.
Maintaining the Ion Sweep Cone and Ion Transfer Tube
Remove and clean the ion sweep cone and the ion transfer tube on a regular basis to prevent
corrosion and to maintain optimum performance of the API source.

Removing and Cleaning the Ion Transfer Tube

The bore of the ion transfer tube can become blocked by buffer salts or high concentrations of
sample. The ion transfer tube can be easily removed for cleaning. You do not have to vent the
system to remove the ion transfer tube.
If the pressure in the ion transfer tube-skimmer region (as measured by the Convectron gauge)
drops considerably below 1 Torr, a blocked ion transfer tube could be the cause. You can check the
Convectron gauge pressure by choosing View > Instrument Status from the EZ Tune.
The pressure is listed under Forepump Pressure.
1. Turn off the flow of liquid from the LC (or other sample introduction device) to the API
2. Remove the Ion MAX or Ion MAX-S ion source housing from the front of the mass
3. Remove the ion sweep cone by pulling it off the ion source interface.
4. Remove the ion transfer tube (P/N 97055-20199) by turning it counterclockwise with the
70 TSQ Series Hardware Manual
To remove and clean the ion transfer tube
source:
a. Choose Start > Programs > Thermo Instruments > TSQ > TSQ Tune to open the EZ
Tune window.
b. In the EZ Tune window, choose Setup > Inlet Direct Control. The Inlet Direct Control
dialog box appears.
c. Click the LC tab and click the Stop (
spectrometer. See "Removing the Ion MAX or Ion MAX-S Ion Source Housing"
CAUTION The ion transfer tube typically operates at 250 to 400 °C. Allow the ion transfer
tube and ion sweep cone to cool before you remove them.
custom removal tool (P/N 70111-20258, in the Accessory Kit) until you can pull it free from
the ion source interface. See
) button to stop the LC pump.
Figure 40.
on page 63.
Thermo Scientific