Routine and Preventive Maintenance
The Electrospray and APCI Probes __________________________________________________________
Cleaning the ESI Probe
The ESI probe can be stripped down for thorough cleaning after prolonged
use with additives.
1.
2.
Wipe the surface of the stainless steel insert capillary with [50:50]
methanol:water.
Sonicate the ceramic sleeve in concentrated nitric acid. Then boil it in
distilled water for 5 to 10 minutes.
WARNING.
Exercise extreme caution when using concentrated nitric
acid. Always wear protective clothing and use only in a fume hood.
Observe appropriate disposal requirements when discarding the used acid.
Replacing the Capillary
Replace the capillary if it has become blocked or partially blocked during
operation. A significant increase in LC pump backpressure (that is, up to
300 psig at 1 mL/min added to the total LC system backpressure) or
instability in the signal could be symptoms of a partially blocked capillary.
5-6
___________________________ MSQ Hardware Manual ____________________________
