Chromatography Forum

I pretty much follow the Agilent source cleaning method for 5973 EI sources - Water/abrasive powder slurry, qtips, and solvent sonications (minus the meoh). I've heard of several others or slight variations there of. Any others out there?

I used the green abrasive paper only, followed by methanol/acetone/DCM sonication.

I have used their methods with great success so maybe you just a few tips. Make sure the surfaces you clean are shinny like a mirror and pay particular attention to the inside surfaces of the source (i.e. the repeller and the ion chamber get especially dirty). I don't use the green paper and if I do I rub some of it against itself to lower it's abrasiveness. So maybe you can share with me what are the deciding factors (tune parameters) for ion source cleaning?

I've heard some say that the green abrasive paper works fine for them and others who have said it's too course of a grit. I have only used it a few times on really dirty parts and that was followed by the alumina slurry scrub. I was just curious to see what other methods were being used which might save time or increase effectiveness. In general, when I see the sensitivity drop, I figure the source is getting dirty.

One thing I have experienced is that when making the AluminumOxid slurry using glycerol instead of water makes it easier cleaning the aluminumoxid off the parts later..

Have not tried the glycerol before. Had a guy from Agilent tell me he used to just run the parts under a tap to remove all of the aluminum oxide.

Our Agilent service engineer uses this stuff called "barkeepers friend." Can be had from most grocery stores:

http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/

But I still use the conventional aluminum oxide and green paper method.

Mike

Interesting. Barkeepers also looks to be a bit cheaper. I could probably use the Alzheimer's bib as well considering the way I eat.

I use standard automotive chrome cleaner for mine. It smells nice and can be used on the open bench. I rinse well afterwards and have never had any problems with residues.

GCguy

I used to use the powder and green paper method until I discovered that metal polish works best. It really polishes the metal as opposed to scratching it. A smooth polished surface is easier to clean than a scratched surface where dirt can accumulate.

I may give these polishes a try. Anyone ever use finer grit sandpaper?

If you use one of the metal polishes be sure to sonicate is methanol afterwards. The polishes usually contain waxes that should be removed before reinstalling.