Hardware manual

Precautions 2
Agilent 7500 Series ICP-MS Hardware Manual 2-9
Dangers During ICP-MS Operation
ICP-MS Shutdown
Power Failure
WARNING
Hydrogen presents a limitless number of dangers during ICP-MS operation. These
include, but are not limited to:
• Combustion from leaking hydrogen.
• Combustion due to rapid expansion of hydrogen from high pressure.
• Accumulation of hydrogen in the ICP-MS and subsequent combustion.
Hydrogen can accumulate in the ICP-MS in a number of unstipulated or uncommon
ways. All users must be aware of the mechanisms by which hydrogen can
accumulate. They must also know what precautions to take if they know or suspect
that hydrogen accumulation has occurred.
WARNING
Use deliberate and careful judgment when shutting down the ICP-MS. The ICP-MS
can also be shut down accidentally by an internal or external failure. Even though
the ICP-MS is shut down, hydrogen remains in the vacuum system, so the flow of the
gas is not immediately terminated. As a result, hydrogen may slowly accumulate in
the vacuum pump line and possibly vent through the rotary pump oil mist filter to the
exhaust duct of the ICP-MS. Make sure the exhaust duct is always operating.
WARNING
A power failure is one of the most common causes of hydrogen accumulation in the
ICP-MS. The ICP-MS shuts down when there is a power failure. The flow of
hydrogen gas in the vacuum system does not terminate immediately and may slowly
accumulate in the ICP-MS and/or the exhaust duct. Make sure the exhaust duct is
always operating.