ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY

AS-800
Furnace Autosampler

Quick Reference
Checklist for Regular Maintenance Tasks

Autosampler Wipe over the surfaces with a lint-free cloth moistened with a dilute solution
external surfaces of laboratory detergent.
The autosampler surfaces are resistant to dilute acids and alkalis, and to a
lesser extent to strong acids and alkalis and organic solvents.
Complete rinsing Fill and flush the rinsing system before the start of every analysis run.
system Flush the rinsing system when you have finished an analysis run.
Valves The valves must function correctly to maintain the precision of the dispensed
volumes. If the precision of the analytical results deteriorates, this can be an
indication that a valve is not functioning correctly.
If a valve seizes or leaks, for example because the pump has been idle for a
long time, or because of particles lodged in the valve, or because of worn seals,
you can remove the valves to clean or change them.
Waste bottle Empty the autosampler waste bottle regularly. Never allow it to overflow or
allow the liquid to reach the end of the drain tube.
If the bottle contains hazardous, toxic, or flammable substances, dispose of the
waste properly, according to the local safety regulations.

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 Rinse bottle Make sure that the rinse bottle is always filled with clean, particle-free rinsing
liquid.
All tubes Make sure that all the tubes are clean and free from kinks.
Change any tubes that may be damaged or contaminated.
Pipet tip Make sure that the pipet tip is not damaged. If the tip is damaged you may get
pipetting errors during the analyses. Repair the tip or install a new pipet
assembly if necessary.
Pump heads Make sure that the pump heads are not loose. Tighten the pump head retaining
ring if necessary. Make sure that the pump head remains vertical, with the
arrow aligned vertically.
Do not remove the pump heads from the pumps.

Caution: Risk of damage to the autosampler

You can cause irreparable damage to the gears if you attempt to move the autosampler arm by hand.

• Never attempt to move the autosampler arm by hand.

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Filling and flushing the rinsing system
1. Make sure that the rinsing system components are correctly installed, in good condition, and
suitable for the rinsing liquid you will use.
2. Fill the rinse bottle with clean, particle-free rinsing liquid.
If there are particles in the rinsing liquid they can lodge in the valves, causing leaks and non-
reproducible results.
3. Empty the waste bottle. Dispose of any hazardous waste correctly.
4. Fill and flush the system:
1. In the Furnace Control window, click on Flush Sampler. This activates a special rinse
cycle.
2. Repeat substep 1 as often as required to completely fill the rinsing system with rinsing liquid
and to flush out all the air.
Note: Make certain there are no air bubbles in the rinsing system. Air bubbles can lead to non-
reproducible results.
5. If you want to use a different rinsing liquid to that already in the rinsing system, rinse all traces
of the previous liquid out of the rinsing system. Use a rinsing liquid that is miscible with both
the new and the old rinsing liquids.
You may have to use intermediate rinsing liquids.

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For example, if you are changing from an acidic liquid to an organic solvent, you could use:
1. Deionized water,
2. Isopropanol or other water-miscible solvent,
3. Final organic solvent.

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Valve maintenance
The autosampler pumps dispense microliter volumes of liquid with high precision. To maintain this
high precision it is essential that the valves function correctly. If there is a deterioration in the pre-
cision of the analytical results, and other sources of error can be excluded, this is an indication that
a valve may not be functioning correctly.
Only the rinse pump contains valves. The sample pump contains inserts that are a similar shape to
the rinse pump outlet valve.
Routine maintenance
The valves require little routine maintenance except to flush them thoroughly before and after
every analysis series.
Before the start of every analysis series:
1. Flush the system well with rinsing liquid.
At the end of every analysis series:
1. Flush the system well with rinsing liquid.
2. Flush the system well with dilute nitric acid (this step is especially important for elements with
a tendency to carryover).
3. Flush the system well with isopropanol.
4. Finally flush the system well with deionized water.
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Checking the valves
If you experience problems such as poor precision or recovery, check to see if the rinse pump
valves are leaking.

Caution: Risk of damage to the autosampler

You can cause irreparable damage to the gears if you attempt to move the autosampler arm by hand.

• Never attempt to move the autosampler arm by hand.

Checking the outlet valve

1. Raise the pipet tip out of the rinsing port:
1. In the Furnace Control window, click on Align Tip.
The Align Autosampler dialog appears.
2. In this dialog, click on Unlocked Above Rinse . The pipet tip rises to a position directly
above the rinsing port.
3. Click on Unlocked Above Rinse again. In the dialog that appears, click on Yes to save this
position.
4. Click on Exit to clear the Align Autosampler dialog.
2. Start a rinse cycle.

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3. The rinsing pump performs three cycles. During the suction phase of each cycle (pump plunger
moves backward) a droplet of rinsing liquid hangs on the end of the pipet tip; this droplet must
remain stationary.
At the end of a rinse cycle the sample pump draws the rinsing liquid droplet back into the pipet
tip.
Checking the inlet valve
1. Start a rinse cycle.
2. Remove the rinse feed tube briefly from the rinsing liquid so that an air bubble is drawn in and
then replace the tube in the rinsing liquid.
3. Watch the meniscus of the air bubble: It must remain stationary during the expulsion phase of
each cycle (pump plunger moves forward).
4. When you have finished checking the valves, in the Align Autosampler dialog, click on
Unlocked Above Rinse.

5. Adjust the depth control wheel so that the pipet tip is at the correct depth inside the rinsing port.
6. Click on Unlocked Above Rinse again. In the dialog that appears, click on Yes to save this
position.
7. In the Align Autosampler dialog, click on Exit .

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8. Thereafter repeat the rinse cycle as often as required to remove air bubbles.
Remove persistent bubbles by flushing the system first with isopropanol and then with aqueous
rinsing liquid.

If a valve is leaking, replace the complete valve.

Note: Do not attempt to take the valves apart or repair the valves or to change individual
components inside a valve. If repeated flushing does not remedy a leaking valve, discard the valve
and install a complete, new valve.

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Supplies and replacement parts for the furnace autosampler

Description Part No.

Sample cups, polypropylene, 1.2 mL,

pack of 2000 for the 148-location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B051-0397
Sample cups, polypropylene, 2.5 mL,
pack of 1000 for the 88- or 148-location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B300-1566
Sample cups, polypropylene, 7 mL,
pack of 100 for the 88- or 148-location tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B300-1567
88-location sample tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B300-1507
148-location sample tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B300-1506
Rinse pump valve kit (contains both valves) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B300-1485
Inlet valve assembly (complete) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B300-2007
Outlet valve assembly (complete) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B300-2006
Pipet assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B012-9258
Connecting tube, PTFE, to connect the rinse and sample pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . B002-9792

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Supplies and Parts

Obtaining supplies, replacement parts, and accessories

Supplies, replacement parts, and accessories can be ordered directly from PerkinElmer, using the
part numbers quoted in this guide.
PerkinElmer’s catalog service offers a full selection of high-quality supplies.
To place an order for supplies and many replacement parts, request a free e-ssentials catalog, or ask
for information:

Internet
e-ssentials, PerkinElmer’s on-line catalog, your single source for quality supplies and accessories.
http:essentials.perkinelmer.com/essentials.asp

Telephone
– If you are located within the U.S., call toll free 1-800-762-4002, 8a.m. to 8p.m. EST. Your
order will be shipped promptly, usually within 24 hours.
– If you are located outside of the U.S., call your local PerkinElmer sales or service office.

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Release history

Part Number Release Publication Date

0993-5260 1 January 1998

2 December 1999
3 January 2001

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User Assistance
PerkinElmer, Inc.
710 Bridgeport Avenue
Shelton, Connecticut 06484-4794
U.S.A.
Or emailed to info@perkinelmer.com
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