Cleaning the ion block components

Cleaining the ion block

Required materials

• Chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves
• Appropriately sized glass vessels in which to completely immerse components when cleaning. Use only glassware not previously cleaned with surfactants.
• HPLC-grade (or better) methanol
• HPLC-grade (or better) water
• Formic acid
• Ultrasonic bath
• Oil-free nitrogen gas for drying (air-drying optional)
• Wash bottle containing HPLC-grade (or better) 1:1 methanol/water
• Large beaker

To clean the ion block components:

Warning: To avoid personal contamination with biologically hazardous, toxic, and corrosive materials, wear chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when performing this procedure.

Warning: To avoid injury when working with formic acid, which is extremely corrosive and toxic, take extreme care handling it, and use a fume hood and suitable protective equipment.

1. Immerse the ion block and isolation valve in separate glass vessels containing 1:1 methanol/water.

Tip: If the components are obviously contaminated, use 45:45:10 methanol/water/formic acid.

2. Place the vessels in the ultrasonic bath for 30 minutes.
3. If you used formic acid in the cleaning solution, do as follows:

1. Rinse the components by immersing them separately in glass vessels containing water, and then placing the vessels in the ultrasonic bath for 20 minutes.
2. Remove residual water from the components by immersing them in separate glass vessels containing methanol, and then placing the vessels in the ultrasonic bath for 10 minutes.

Notice: To avoid recontaminating the components, wear clean, chemical resistant, powder-free gloves.

4. Carefully remove the components from the vessels and blow-dry them using inert, oil-free gas.
5. Inspect each component for persisting contamination.

Requirement: If contamination is present, do as follows:

1. Use the wash bottle containing 1:1 methanol/water to rinse the component over the large beaker.
2. Blow-dry the component using inert, oil-free gas.

Warning: To avoid spreading contamination with biologically hazardous, toxic, and corrosive materials, dispose of all waste materials according to local environmental regulations.

6. Inspect each component for persisting contamination. If contamination is present, dispose of the component and obtain a new one before reassembly.