ICP-MS Suggestions switching from AAS

[dlntx9]

I'm looking into purchasing a used ICP-MS system. The instrument will primarily be used for analysis of foods, as well for EPA methods pertaining to water/soil. Previously have been using an AAS.

Any suggestions on makes or models to look into, or ones to stay away from. I do not need or have the budget for a brand new instrument.

If a HP 5890/6890 or an Agilent 1100 HPLC could be considered GC/HPLC workhorses, what would the equivalent be for an ICP-MS?

[James_Ball]

The Agilent 7500s were definitely workhorses, but they are now beyond their support life, similar to the 5890 so parts are becoming harder to find. The 7700 is a current model that has been out at least 5 years so you should be able to find some of those on the used market/off lease. We currently run the 7500, 7700 and 7900 non stop and so far they run well. With some of the horrible samples we run it is hard to believe they still keep going.

Maintenance on the Agilent is easier than on the PE we inherited when we bought another lab. Also the setup in Mass Hunter is not too complicated and once you have it running it is pretty much just push a button and go.

[mckrause]

Varian 810/820 were exceptional systems. Unfortunately you have to depend on Bruker for service. The good news is that service is rarely needed.

Agilent software is easier to use, but the Varian systems run like Swiss clockwork.

If you are transitioning from AAS to ICP-MS you have a very steep learning curve. Do you have to have the sensitivity of ICP-MS? An ICP-OES system will easily get you sub-ppb for most elements and it is a LOT easier transition.

[suman_k11]

The AGILENT 7700 is a current model that has been out at least 5 years so you should be able to find some of those on the used market/off lease. We currently 7700 non stop and so far they run well. With some of the samples we run it is hard to believe they still keep going.

Maintenance on the Agilent is very good other than on the PE we inherited when we bought another lab. software of agilent Chemstation/Mass hunter is very easy and use to friendly.

Thnx
suman jha

[LALman]

In my experience with an old Perkin Elmer Elan 6000, they are super easy to maintain but a pain to tune each day. They are a real workhorse but not as sensitive as the HP/Agilent systems. I never had a 7500 or 7700 series but ran a couple of HP 4500 setups and those systems are really nice. Tuning each day is quick and easy. Rinseout after a dirty sample is faster, MDL's are lower. The tubing on the autosampler lasts much longer because of the constant rpm feeding the nebulizer. The peltier cooling of the spray chamber kept oxides lower. The Bergener nebulizer did a great job of not salting up while still giving better sensitivity than the cross flow nebulizers on the PE system. The chemstation software is superior to the PE software and let you have log linear calibrations which are more realistic for an ICP-MS system. I also like that you can specify where the standards and rinses are located and simply tell the system the desired CCV/CCB frequency. Plus chemstation lets you add and reprioritize samples without stopping the run.