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A COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL - FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY 1 OF 4

Cleaning Ionization Sources

This procedure describes how to clean the sources for the Quattro micro GC, GCT Premier, and
AutoSpec Premier instruments.

Associated sources
Table 1 : Relevant instrument sources

GCT and GCT AutoSpec and

Quattro Micro GC
Premier AutoSpec Premier

EI Inner Source EI Inner Source EI Inner Source

CI Inner Source CI Inner Source CI Inner Source

EI/CI Outer Source EI/CI Outer Source EI/CI Outer Source

Pre-filters
(engineers only, not customer FI/FD Outer Source Lens Stacks
serviceable part)

CAUTION: It is highly advisable to store cleaned sources in a dessicator (if

not being installed immediately). This prevents moisture
absorption in ceramics and greatly reduces equilibration
(degassing) time when the source is installed in the instrument.

CAUTION: Always wear chemical-resistant, powder-free, nitrile gloves when

handling any of the components.

WARNING: A component can be contaminated with biohazardous and/or toxic

materials. Always wear chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves
when handling the components.

©2010 WATERS CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Tools/materials required
• Acetone
• Aluminum oxide powder (p/n 700004093)
• Appropriate tools to dismantle source components
• Ash muffle (if available) (or Bunsen burner for blue flame)
• Beakers
• Cotton tips
• Dichloromethane (DCM)
• Dry nitrogen (if available)
• Hexane
• Lapping film (p/n 700000571)
• Lint-free cotton, or nitrile, gloves (p/n 700002964 or 700002965)
• Lint-free tissues
• Methanol
• Ultrasonic bath

Procedure
The procedure to clean the source assemblies consists of four sections:
1. Dismantling the inner and outer sources.
2. Cleaning the inner and outer source stainless steel components (not pre-filters).
3. Cleaning the inner and outer source ceramic components.
4. Cleaning the pre-filters.

Dismantling the inner and outer sources

1. Ensure the source region to the instrument is vented.
2. Dismantle the inner/outer source into its component parts.
3. Separate the steel components (such as repeller, ion block, trap, focussing lenses) from
the ceramic components.

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Cleaning the inner and outer source stainless steel components

CAUTION: Follow the separate procedure for ceramic components and the
pre-filters.

Do not clean the filament, copper contacts, magnets,

thermocouple/heaters, and PRT (platinum resistor thermometer –
AutoSpec only).

1. Using a cotton-tipped swab, clean the metal parts with aluminum oxide powder.
2. Add a little methanol to the aluminum oxide powder to make a paste.
3. Apply the paste sparingly to the metal components using a cotton-tipped swab.
4. Apply gentle pressure to remove discoloration.

CAUTION: Take special care not to scratch the surfaces.

5. Remove surplus paste by gently wiping with a kim-wipe, or rinsing with methanol.
6. Rinse the parts in tap water to remove any remaining aluminum oxide powder.

NOTE: The solvent washes will remove any contaminants.

7. Rinse the parts in an ultrasonic bath, for 15 minutes in each of four solvents:
a. Methanol - if the methanol rinse is cloudy due to the aluminum oxide powder
repeat this rinse step with a fresh beaker and methanol before moving on to the
acetone rinse.
b. Acetone - if acetone is not available repeat the methanol wash.
c. Acetone:dichloromethane (approx 1:1 mixture) - if dichloromethane is not available
replace with hexane.
d. Dichloromethane - if this is not available replace wash with hexane.
8. Transfer the components to a clean beaker with tweezers prior to the removal of
solvent.
9. Allow the components to dry.

NOTE: Dry nitrogen may be used, if available.

10. Once dry, reassemble the parts.

CAUTION: Cotton, lint-free gloves (not latex or plastic) must be worn.

The post-scrubbing solvent washes are extremely important in

this process. If sufficient washes, the correct solvents, or fresh
beakers are not used, the cleaning procedure will not be effective.

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Cleaning the inner and outer source ceramic components

NOTE: Ceramic cleaning is equally important as the cleaning of metallic

components.

1. Heat each item to 350 to 400 °C in an ash muffle (if available), or heated until glowing
red heat in a blue flame.
2. If contamination persists, replace ceramics with new ceramics.
3. Place new ceramics in the flames, or heat, prior to use.

CAUTION: The ceramics can crack under a blue flame. Heat the ceramics at
the cooler tip of the flame for a few minutes then slowly lower
into the blue flame. This technique heats the ceramics at a slower
rate. Ensure there is a full set of ceramics available that may
crack. Any replaced ceramics have to be flamed prior to use.

Cleaning the pre-filters

WARNING: Removal of the instrument covers allows exposure to high voltage,

RF emissions and highly delicate components and must only be
done by suitably trained Waters engineers.

NOTE: Pre-filters are not a customer serviceable part.

1. Ensure the instrument analyzer is vented correctly.

2. Disconnet the mains power lead from the rear of the instrument
3. Remove the analyzer lid and carefully remove the pre-filters.
4. Clean any ion burns with lapping film.
5. Rinse the parts in an ultrasonic bath, for 15 minutes in each of four solvents:
a. Methanol - if the methanol rinse is cloudy due to the aluminum oxide powder
repeat this rinse step with a fresh beaker and methanol before moving on to the
acetone rinse.
b. Acetone - if acetone is not available repeat the methanol wash.
c. Acetone:dichloromethane (approx 1:1 mixture) - if dichloromethane is not available
replace with hexane.
d. Dichloromethane - if this is not available replace wash with hexane.
6. Transfer the components to a clean beaker with tweezers prior to removal of solvent.
7. Allow the components to dry.

NOTE: Dry nitrogen may be used, if available.

8. Once dry, reassemble the parts.

CLEANING IONIZATION SOURCES