iCAP Customer Familiarisation Manual
Page 66 of 72
This document is part numbered 849940090071
Version 1.02
10.4 Preventing blocking of
the nebuliser
The most common problem with the
nebuliser is the blockage of the tip by
the deposition of particulate matter. In
this section we provide a series of
suggestions to minimise blockage.
In most instances blockage in the
nebuliser is caused by either
particulate matter (from the sample)
or chemical deposits. It normally
occurs in the nozzle where the flow
passages are extremely small and
constriction is greatest in the annular
gas channel between the tip of the
capillary and the taper of the nozzle
.
o
Tip:
Filter the sample. The sample capillary is more tolerant of particulate
matter than the gas annulus. For high sample uptake nebulisers, the capillary
will frequently transport visibly turbid suspensions. We suggest that you filter or
centrifuge the sample if the solids are not of analytical importance. Particulates
and colloids of a polar nature such as silica, peptides, polyvalent metal
hydroxides and others tend to build up on the (polar) glass and impede the fluid
flow. In some instances you can prevent deposition by adjusting the pH of the
suspension away from its isoelectric point.
o
Tip:
Rinse the nebuliser. It is very important to rinse the nebuliser before
turning the gas off. It is advisable to rinse the nebuliser periodically throughout
the sequence (depending on the chemistry of your samples).
o
Solids may be deposited in the nozzle as sample solvent evaporates, further
constricting the flow passages and reducing the signal. Rinsing will minimise or
eliminate these deposits.
o
Gas flow through most nebuliser models creates a venturi suction at the capillary
tip which can be used to draw rinse liquid through the capillary.
o
After the testing of any salt solution, promptly rinse the system with a chemically
compatible rinse consisting only of volatiles (this is especially necessary in flow
injection analysis systems).
o
A low-pH (acidic) sample should be followed by a low-pH rinse, a high-pH
sample by a high-pH rinse and an organic sample by an appropriate solvent.
The final rinse should use deionised water and/or isopropyl alcohol
.
Note: Allow the nebuliser to dry before turning off the gas and make
sure that the liquid feed is disconnected or arranged so that siphoning into
the nebuliser while the gas is off cannot occur.
DO NOT use ultrasonic cleaning to remove particulate matter as
sympathetic vibrations may be set up in the capillary causing it to
bounce against the inside of the nozzle and chip, also do not use
any wire to clean capillary of the nebuliser. performance of the
nebuliser can decline as a result.
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