ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY

AS 800/900
AUTOSAMPLER

Quick Reference
ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
Release history

Part Number Release Publication Date

09931157 A May 2014

Any comments about the documentation for this product should be addressed to:
User Assistance
PerkinElmer, Inc.
710 Bridgeport Avenue
Shelton, Connecticut 06484-4794
U.S.A.
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Checklist for Regular Maintenance Tasks
Autosampler Wipe over the surfaces with a lint-free cloth moistened with a dilute solution
external surfaces of laboratory detergent.
The autosampler surfaces are resistant to dilute acids and alkalis, and to a
lesser extent to strong acids and alkalis and organic solvents.
Complete rinsing Fill and flush the rinsing system before the start of every analysis run.
system Flush the rinsing system when you have finished an analysis run.
Valves The valves must function correctly to maintain the precision of the dispensed
volumes. If the precision of the analytical results deteriorates, this can be an
indication that a valve is not functioning correctly.
If a valve seizes or leaks, for example because the pump has been idle for a
long time, or because of particles lodged in the valve, or because of worn seals,
you can remove the valves to clean or change them.
The ruby ball inside the rinse pump shall be maintained clean at all times. This
can be cleaned with isopropanol or absolute alcohol.

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 Waste bottle Empty the autosampler waste bottle regularly. Never allow it to overflow or
allow the liquid to reach the end of the drain tube.
If the bottle contains hazardous, toxic, or flammable substances, dispose of the
waste properly, according to the local safety regulations.
Rinse bottle Make sure that the rinse bottle is always filled with clean, particle-free rinsing
liquid.
All tubes Make sure that all the tubes are clean and free from kinks.
Change any tubes that may be damaged or contaminated.
Pipet tip Make sure that the pipet tip is not damaged. If the tip is damaged you may get
pipetting errors during the analyses. Repair the tip or install a new pipet
assembly if necessary.
Pump heads Make sure that the pump heads are not loose. Tighten the pump head retaining
ring if necessary. Make sure that the pump head remains vertical, with the
arrow aligned vertically.
Do not remove the pump heads from the pumps.

Caution: Risk of damage to the autosampler

You can cause irreparable damage to the gears if you attempt to move the autosampler arm by hand.

• Never attempt to move the autosampler arm by hand.

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Filling and flushing the rinsing system
1. Make sure that the rinsing system components are correctly installed, in good condition, and
suitable for the rinsing liquid you will use.
2. Fill the rinse bottle with clean, particle-free rinsing liquid.
If there are particles in the rinsing liquid they can lodge in the valves, causing leaks and non-
reproducible results.
3. Empty the waste bottle. Dispose of any hazardous waste correctly.
4. Fill and flush the system:
1. From the Instrument tab or ribbon select the Furnace Control icon, click on Flush
Sampler. This activates a special rinse cycle.
2. Repeat substep 1 as often as required to completely fill the rinsing system with rinsing liquid
and to flush out all the air.
Note: Make certain there are no air bubbles in the rinsing system. Air bubbles can lead to non-
reproducible results.
5. If you want to use a different rinsing liquid to that already in the rinsing system, rinse all traces
of the previous liquid out of the rinsing system. Use a rinsing liquid that is miscible with both
the new and the old rinsing liquids.

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 You may have to use intermediate rinsing liquids.
For example, if you are changing from an acidic liquid to an organic solvent, you could use:
1. Deionized water,
2. Isopropanol, absolute alcohol or other water-miscible solvent,
3. Final organic solvent.

Valve maintenance
The autosampler pumps dispense microliter volumes of liquid with high precision. To maintain this
high precision it is essential that the valves function correctly. If there is a deterioration in the pre-
cision of the analytical results, and other sources of error can be excluded, this is an indication that
a valve may not be functioning correctly.
Only the rinse pump contains valves. The sample pump contains inserts that are a similar shape to
the rinse pump outlet valve.
Routine maintenance
The valves require little routine maintenance except to flush them thoroughly before and after
every analysis series.
Before the start of every analysis series:
1. Flush the system well with rinsing liquid.

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At the end of every analysis series:

1. Flush the system well with rinsing liquid.

2. Flush the system well with dilute nitric acid (this step is especially important for elements with
a tendency to carryover).
3. Flush the system well with isopropanol (or absolute alcohol).
4. Finally flush the system well with deionized water.
Checking the valves
If you experience problems such as poor precision or recovery, check to see if the rinse pump
valves are leaking.

Caution: Risk of damage to the autosampler

You can cause irreparable damage to the gears if you attempt to move the autosampler arm by hand.

• Never attempt to move the autosampler arm by hand.

Checking the outlet valve

1. Raise the pipet tip out of the rinsing port:
From the Instrument tab or ribbon select the Furnace Control icon, click on Align Tip.

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 The Align Autosampler Tip Wizard appears.

2. In this dialog, click on Set the depth of the autosampler tip in the sampling cup. Then select
Use the rinse location. The pipet tip rises to a position directly above the rinsing port.

3. Select on Next. In the dialog that appears, click on Finish.

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4. In the Furnace Control window, click on Flush Sampler to start a rinse cycle.
5. The rinsing pump performs three cycles. During the suction phase of each cycle (pump plunger
moves backward) a droplet of rinsing liquid hangs on the end of the pipet tip; this droplet must
remain stationary.
At the end of a rinse cycle the sample pump draws the rinsing liquid droplet back into the pipet
tip.
If a valve is leaking, replace the complete valve. After performing this procedure manually adjust
the autosampler depth control wheel back to its original position.
Checking the inlet valve

1. Start a rinse cycle by clicking on the Flush Sampler.

2. Remove the rinse feed tube briefly from the rinsing liquid so that an air bubble is drawn in and
then replace the tube in the rinsing liquid.
3. Watch the meniscus of the air bubble: It must remain stationary during the expulsion phase of
each cycle (pump plunger moves forward).
4. When you have finished checking the outlet valve, in the In the Furnace Control window, click
on Align Tip.
5. In this dialog (see the screen shot on page 8), click on Set the depth of the autosampler tip in

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 the sampling cup. Select Use the rinse location and then select Next.

6. Adjust the depth control wheel so that the pipet tip is at the correct depth inside the rinsing port.
Then click on Finish.
Note: Do not attempt to take the valves apart or repair the valves or to change individual
components inside a valve unless you are trained to do so. If repeated flushing does not remedy a
leaking valve, discard the valve and install a complete, new valve

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Supplies and replacement parts for the furnace autosampler

Description Part No.

Sample cups, polypropylene, 1.2 mL,

pack of 2000 for the 148-location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B0510397
Sample cups, polypropylene, 2.5 mL,
pack of 1000 for the 88- or 148-location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3001566
Sample cups, polypropylene, 7 mL,
pack of 100 for the 88- or 148-location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3001567
Sample cups, polyethylene, 2 mL,
pack of 1000 for the 88- or 148- location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B0087056
Sample cups, polystyrene, 2 mL,
pack of 1000 for the 88- or 148- location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B0119079
Sample cups, PTFE, 2 mL,
pack of 30 for the 88- or 148- location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B0087600
148-location sample tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3001506
88-location sample tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3001507

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Rinse pump valve kit (contains both valves) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3001485
Outlet valve assembly (complete) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3002006
Inlet valve assembly (complete) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3002007
Pipet assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B0129258
Connecting tube, PTFE, to connect the rinse and sample pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . B0029792
Solvent resistant Check Valves - Inlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B0105973
Solvent-resistant Check Valve - Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B0105974
Connecting tube, PTFE, to connect the rinse and sample pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . B0029792
Connecting Tubing only (PTFE) B0017998
Sample Tubing 2.45mm o.d. per meter, for connecting to the Rinse pump . . . . .

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Supplies and Parts
Every day you count on PerkinElmer to provide you with solutions that deliver reliable perform-
ance, control operating costs and maximize operational time. Our complete portfolio of consuma-
bles, parts, supplies, training and service helps you meet both routine and demanding measurement
challenges. We invest heavily in testing and validating our products to ensure you receive guaran-
teed compatibility and performance-on-time, every time, for every instrument in your laboratory.
Supplies, replacement parts, and accessories can be ordered directly from PerkinElmer, using the
part numbers quoted in the guides provided with the instrument.

See our website:

http://perkinelmer.com
PerkinElmer's catalog service offers a full selection of high-quality supplies.
To place an order for supplies and many replacement parts, request a free catalog, or ask for infor-
mation:

Telephone
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order will be shipped promptly, usually within 24 hours.
– If you are located outside of the U.S., call your local PerkinElmer sales or service office.

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PerkinElmer, Inc.
710 Bridgeport Avenue
Shelton, CT 06484-4794, U.S.A.

Internet: http://www.perkinelmer.com
email: info@perkinelmer.com

PerkinElmer is a registered trademark of PerkinElmer, Inc.