Working Area Requirements
Gas Requirements
Thermo Scientific
iCE 3000 Series Pre-Installation Requirements Guide (P/N 9499 500 30031, Version 1.6)
5-9
Air
The spectrometer requires clean, dry compressed air at a steady pressure
of 2.1 bar (30 psi), with a flow rate up to 10 L/min.
If the graphite furnace is using air as an oxidant, it requires a pressure of
1.1 bar (15 psi) and a flow rate of 0.2 L/min.
The air should be supplied by an oil-free compressor at a pressure up to
4.14 bar (60 psi). A filter/regulator unit is required that incorporates a
5-micron filter, a pressure regulator and a pressure gauge. A clear plastic
Terylene reinforced link hose of at least 3.5 m (12 ft) is required to cool
the air and to permit efficient water removal by the filter/regulator unit.
Argon and Nitrogen
A graphite furnace requires argon, or nitrogen, gas at 1.04 bar (15 psi)
with a purity of 99.999%. Argon gas is the preferred purge gas.
A vapor system requires a pressure of 0.34 bar (5 psi).
Nitrous Oxide
A flame spectrometer may require nitrous oxide gas for some
applications. Nitrous oxide must be supplied at 2.75 bar (40 psi) at a
flow rate of 8 L/min. Special grade AA nitrous oxide must be used with
the maximum impurities listed in
If pressures above 0.62 bar (9 psi) acetylene are used in the UK, the
Health and Safety Executive of HM Factory Inspectorate must be
informed and an Exemption Certificate obtained. Local and national
regulations and guidelines must be followed at all installation sites.
WARNING
Hazardous Gases.
Risk of suffocation. Nitrogen and argon gas may
cause suffocation at high concentrations. Take appropriate care.
Table 5-5.
Maximum impurities of nitrous oxide
Impurity
Maximum concentration [ppm]
Oxygen
150
Nitrogen
400
Carbon dioxide
50
Oxides of nitrogen
2
Carbon monoxide
1
Water
15
