Check both argon and nitrogen regulators to determine how much gas is in the tank.

Procedures for checking the argon and nitrogen gas supplies

Gas

Procedure

Argon

Procedure

  1. Check the regulator to make sure there is sufficient gas. Replace the tank when the tank pressure falls below 500 psi.
  2. Verify that the pressure of argon gas reaching the MS is 135 ±70 kPa (20 ±10 psi). If necessary, adjust the pressure with the tank pressure regulator.

Nitrogen

Procedure

  1. Using the regulator of the nitrogen gas tank or liquid nitrogen boil-off tank, make sure that there is sufficient gas for the analysis. Based on 24-hour per day operation, typical nitrogen consumption is 2800 liters per day (100 ft3/day). If necessary, replace the tank.
  2. Verify that the pressure of nitrogen gas reaching the MS is 690 ± 140 kPa (100 ± 20 psi). If necessary, adjust the pressure with the tank pressure regulator.

CAUTION

Do not operate the MS without nitrogen flow as this can damage the source and front end optics due to particulate matter in the atmosphere. Before you operate the MS, verify that there is sufficient nitrogen for the API source.

If the system runs out of nitrogen while you are acquiring scans in the Tune application, a prompt appears with a warning that the nitrogen supply is probably empty. If you are running an acquisition sequence, the data system completes the current run. The system does not proceed to the next sample because the MS cannot return to the Ready state when the nitrogen set point cannot be reached. Meanwhile, the MS continues scanning.

For more information about gas requirements, refer to the Preinstallation Requirements Guide for your MS.