Hardware manual

Maintenance 4
Agilent 7500 Series ICP-MS Hardware Manual 4-25
Maintaining the Nebulizer and Spray Chamber
The nebulizer and spray chamber need to be cleaned if memory effects are
observed after running high matrix samples, or when ultimate detection limits
(ppt) are necessary.
The nebulizer and spray chamber are located in the open area of the sample
introduction part on the left of the instrument. The spray chamber is tilted to
facilitate drainage. This section contains steps to maintain the Babington,
Concentric, and PFA Concentric nebulizers, as well as the standard and inert
spray chambers.
In this section, the following three kinds of nebulizers are described. The
required argon gas pressure is 700kPa.
• Babington nebulizer
• Concentric nebulizer
• PFA Concentric nebulizer
There are two kinds of materials for the spray chamber, quartz and
polypropylene.
Locating Tools and Supplies
To maintain the nebulizer, you will need the following tools and supplies:
• Safety glasses
• Protective laboratory gloves
• 5% Nitric Acid bath
• Acetone
• Methanol
• Pure water in a rinse container
• Nebulizer O- rings
• Babington nebulizer removal tool
CAUTION
• As the tip of the nebulizer is delicate, scrupulous care should be taken in handling
it, especially regarding damage to the tip, getting oils from your hands on the
surface of nebulizer, and clogging with dregs.
• If the gas tubing and sample introduction around the nebulizer leak even a small
mount, it causes a sharp fluctuation in signals. To prevent leaks, be especially
careful not to damage the O-rings.