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GE Newsletter June 2017

Application Spotlight real-time display of the liquid flow to the nebulizer. The TruFlo can be used to alert the analyst when the inline filter needs to be backflushed in addition to optimizing nebulizer conditions. Spray chamber To avoid the risk of breakage, washing glass spray chambers in an ultrasonic bath is not recommended. If you notice a degradation in performance (such as poorer precision or detection limits) or droplets accumulating on the walls of the spray chamber, it is time to clean the spray chamber. Aspirating a 2.5% Fluka RBS-25 solution for 15 minutes may be sufficient to recover the performance. Otherwise, the spray chamber should be soaked overnight in a 25% Fluka RBS-25 solution and rinsed the following day with DI water. Torch As with the nebulizer, it is good practice to always finish use of a torch by nebulizing a mildly-acidic blank solution for several minutes. This ensures that sample deposits or crystals don't form inside the torch injector bore when the solution inside the injector dries out. Salt deposits can occur near the end of the outer tube and should be regularly removed to prolong the torch life. This is best accomplished by soaking the torch or outer tube in a 25% solution of Fluka RBS- 25. We recommend that you do not leave the torch in an ultrasonic bath as this may damage the quartz. If deposits on the outer tube is a persistent problem, in some cases, a torch with a shorter outer tube may be available. Although this may result in a small loss of sensitivity, it can also lead to a significant improvement in torch life. The other alternative is a fully ceramic D-Torch which is less likely to accumulate salt deposits for reasons discussed previously. Conclusions If you want the best performance your ICP-OES or ICP-MS can provide, it is essential that you choose the proper sample introduction system to meet the demands of your sample types. In this application note, a complete sample introduction package was presented to improve ICP performance in a high TDS sample matrix. An easy way to eliminate drift, interrupted runs and frequent maintenance to your ICP sample introduction system is to add the Elegra argon humidifier. The D-Torch offers an affordable, robust ICP torch design while greatly reducing torch consumable costs. The optional ceramic outer tube for the D-Torch provides a significant improvement in torch life and stability in the presence of high TDS. Combining either the SeaSpray or DuraMist nebulizer with the Twister spray chamber will provide optimum sensitivity and exceptional long-term precision even in the presence of high TDS. The Niagara CM Rapid Rinse accessory provides a simple lowcost approach to improving ICP productivity and washout efficiency while minimizing sample consumption. Proper care and regularly scheduled maintenance of your sample introduction system can help to maintain optimum performance and increase lifetime. The Fluka RBS-25 solution is an essential cleaning solution that every high TDS ICP laboratory should have on hand. It provides an excellent cleaning reagent for your entire sample introduction system. Glass Expansion’s intimate understanding of the relationship between the various sample introduction components, together with our expertise in manufacturing high quality nebulizers, spray chambers, torches, ICP-MS cones and ICP accessories, means that we can offer you a complete solution regardless of your sample matrix. Visit us at www.geicp.com or contact us at equiries@geicp.com to find the best solution for your ICP laboratory. References 1. Glass Expansion June 2003 Newsletter, “Determination of Trace Metals in Seawater by ICP-AES.” 2. Glass Expansion June 2010 Newsletter, “Dealing with High Salt Matrices.” 3. Glass Expansion February 2016 Newsletter, “The Elegra Argon Humidifier: Uninterrupted and Maintenance-Free ICP Operation.” 4. Agilent Technologies Application Note # 5991-4257EN, “Performance of Agilent 7900 ICP-MS with UHMI for high salt matrix analysis,” (2014) 5. Perkin Elmer Product Note # 012394-01, “All Matrix Solution System for the NexION ICP-MS.” (2015) 6. Thermo Fisher Scientific Technical Note # 43202, "Analysis of High Martix Samples using Argon Gas Dilution with the Thermo Scientific iCAP Q ICP-MS.” (2016) 7. Thermo Fisher Scientific Technical Note # 43053, “Radial Demountable Ceramic Torch for the Thermo Scientific iCAP 6000 Series ICP Spectrometer.” (2010) 8. Glass Expansion October 2013 Newsletter, “How to Achieve High Accuracy with Difficult Samples.” 9. Glass Expansion October 2014 Newsletter, “ICP Spray Chamber Update.” 10. Glass Expansion June 2013 Newsletter, “A Nebulizer Update.” 11. Glass Expansion October 2011 Newsletter, “Evaluation of a New High Performance Inert Nebulizer.” 12. Glass Expansion June 2016 Newsletter, “A Simple, Low Cost Approach to Improving ICP Productivity.” www.geicp.com Glass Expansion Newsletter | Issue 43 7


GE Newsletter June 2017
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