5–1
C H A P T E R 5
M a i n t e n a n c e
This chapter gives maintenance and service procedures for the
Electrospray.
P e r i o d i c M a i n t e n a n c e
Periodic cleaning of several parts of the Electrospray is necessary to
ensure proper performance. The capillary should be cleaned after
each day’s use to prevent buildup of solutes. If aerosol deposits
accumulate on the orifice plate, the orifice could be reduced in size
or eventually plugged. In addition, aerosol deposits will buildup on
the Electrospray chamber and viewing window optics, although at a
lesser frequency than on the orifice plate. The service intervals
depend on the type and concentration of aerosols generated with
the Electrospray. The following maintenance schedule is suggested
for the Electrospray:
Table 5-1
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Task
How Often
Purging the capillary
Daily
Cleaning the orifice plate
As needed
Cleaning the aerosol exit port
As needed
Cleaning the viewing window lens
As needed
Replacing the ionizer
12 months
Cleaning the Electrospray chamber
As needed
Performing an air leak test
If you clean the Electrospray
chamber or the viewing
window lens.
Cleaning the pressure chamber
As needed
Purging the Capillary
The capillary should be purged after each day’s use to keep solutes
from building up on the inside of the capillary. It may need to be
purged more often depending on the chemicals you are using or if
you suspect the capillary has become partially or fully plugged (see
also page 6-3).
