Solutions to API2000 Source Exhaust Pump Error

[cc21609]

Hi all,

This place is just a great place to get info from the LCMS community on problems and challenges we face when operating the instruments. Just wanted to show my gratitude first. But I recently got a problem with "Source Exhaust Pump BAD" error in the API2000 MS we have in our lab. I have followed some cleanup procedures, checked connections and vented the pressure in the lines in order to get the sensor to reset. So far no go. There does not seem to be any blockage in the lines when rinsed with MeOH and we are definitely getting N2 gas through the inlet lines. The gas regulator is set at 50 psi as recommended by the instrument guidelines.

The problem kinda popped out of nowhere after I tried to do a routine calibration of Q1 with a mixture of PPGs. You guys have any ideas what I can do? I want to make sure I exhaust all possibilities/remedies before I ask for clearance on a new source pump module, which is easily 1.1K in the hole. Thanks guys!

Clement

[James_Ball]

We have the 3200 and while I have not seen this exact problem, I do know that there is a sensor that checks that the waste container is connected to a powered vent so that it will not turn on the exhaust pump if it does not sense negative pressure at the waste container. If the 2000 has this also, could you have a problem with the vent?

[cc21609]

We have the 3200 and while I have not seen this exact problem, I do know that there is a sensor that checks that the waste container is connected to a powered vent so that it will not turn on the exhaust pump if it does not sense negative pressure at the waste container. If the 2000 has this also, could you have a problem with the vent?

Hmmm, from what I see is that the waste line coming out directly from the curtain plate/turboionspray chamber is directly ported through the sensor module outwards to the exhaust waste line. Syringing MeOH into the orifice makes it all the way to the port without any problems when the instrument is powered off. I haven't tried doing it while the MS is powered on though. We have the exhaust gas hooked to a trap/filter and then ported outside the lab. We haven't had this problem since setting up the MS 5 months ago. It would be kinda odd if an error associated with waste pressure popped up now wouldn't it?

C

[James_Ball]

We have the 3200 and while I have not seen this exact problem, I do know that there is a sensor that checks that the waste container is connected to a powered vent so that it will not turn on the exhaust pump if it does not sense negative pressure at the waste container. If the 2000 has this also, could you have a problem with the vent?

Hmmm, from what I see is that the waste line coming out directly from the curtain plate/turboionspray chamber is directly ported through the sensor module outwards to the exhaust waste line. Syringing MeOH into the orifice makes it all the way to the port without any problems when the instrument is powered off. I haven't tried doing it while the MS is powered on though. We have the exhaust gas hooked to a trap/filter and then ported outside the lab. We haven't had this problem since setting up the MS 5 months ago. It would be kinda odd if an error associated with waste pressure popped up now wouldn't it?

C

True.

Could be the 3200 has a different setup because we had to have a powered vent hooked to the waste container before it could be installed because of the sensor switch.

[cc21609]

Seems like there is a "newish" symptom that I see with the MS. When the MS is turned off (and turbovac allowed to wind down for 30+ mins), the deactivation of the roughing pump and N2 gases afterwards seem normal at first. But after ~30 secs of turning the roughing pump off, some gurgling would resume and oil would slowly rise up into the vac line with vigorous bubbling at first. The vac line can be vented by removing the clamp and gasket that connects the vacuum tubing to the back of the MS. This phenomenon was only observed after the "Source Exhaust Pump BAD" issue first appeared.

I also noticed that there is significant positive pressure in the turboionspray when the MS is activated (whether for equilbration or tuning) and the event/error log in Analyst records two individual errors: Source Exhaust Pump Failure and Pressure Too High in Ion Spray Chamber. The pressure can be vented when the ion spray is removed several times (plug in and out). There should be a slight negative pressure in the ion spray to aid with desolvation and also to vent any undesired solvent that slipped by the curtain plate and yet I have a large positive pressure. The tubing connecting the roughing pump to the turbovac then to the space between curtain plate and Q1 is under vacuum when I checked. Could this be a sign that a relieve valve behind the curtain plate is not switching properly?

Clement

[cc21609]

Tried everything I can to fix the problem but so far still no go. It seems like I would have to call for some expert help (aka paying 200 bucks/hr for a tech). Lemme see what he thinks and I will post back here so that people can have a future reference if a similar problem reoccurs. But if you have any better ideas meanwhile please let me know. I will be checking here daily for some good news!

Clement

[James_Ball]

Seems like there is a "newish" symptom that I see with the MS. When the MS is turned off (and turbovac allowed to wind down for 30+ mins), the deactivation of the roughing pump and N2 gases afterwards seem normal at first. But after ~30 secs of turning the roughing pump off, some gurgling would resume and oil would slowly rise up into the vac line with vigorous bubbling at first. The vac line can be vented by removing the clamp and gasket that connects the vacuum tubing to the back of the MS. This phenomenon was only observed after the "Source Exhaust Pump BAD" issue first appeared.

I also noticed that there is significant positive pressure in the turboionspray when the MS is activated (whether for equilbration or tuning) and the event/error log in Analyst records two individual errors: Source Exhaust Pump Failure and Pressure Too High in Ion Spray Chamber. The pressure can be vented when the ion spray is removed several times (plug in and out). There should be a slight negative pressure in the ion spray to aid with desolvation and also to vent any undesired solvent that slipped by the curtain plate and yet I have a large positive pressure. The tubing connecting the roughing pump to the turbovac then to the space between curtain plate and Q1 is under vacuum when I checked. Could this be a sign that a relieve valve behind the curtain plate is not switching properly?

Clement

Oil backing up into the line from the vacuum roughing pump would mean that the back flow valve is bad in the pump. When the roughing pumps are working properly they should hold vacuum in the system after they have been turned off. Also if oil it rising up that line, you may have too much oil in the pump itself. Be sure the oil level is between the lines on the window of the pump, if it is difficult to see you can remove the window when the pump has been drained and clean the window by rubbing it off with a cloth.

The positive pressure in the source sounds like the exhaust pump is not allowing any of the gasses and waste to vent out the bottom of the source. The area behind the curtain plate should be slightly positive because you run the curtain gas so that it flow out the orifice to keep out the unwanted solvent while the charge on the inner cone draws the ions in against the outward flow of curtain gas. The vacuum line that enters behind the inner cone creates the vacuum where the ions enter, and the line to it should be under vacuum and the valve is closed unless the instrument is actually operating, it opens when you begin to scan I believe.