Flush the spray insert after running samples, if the system will be idle afterwards. You can use the syringe pump or an LC pump to flush a 50:50 methanol/water solution through the spray insert at a flow rate of 200 to 400 μL/min for approximately 15 minutes.

NOTE

If you have just run the mass calibration procedure with the EMRS, flush the inlet components with a 50:50 acetonitrile/water solution.

TIP

You do not need to flush the inlet components daily. Flush the inlet components if a mass spectrum shows unwanted contamination peaks.

CAUTION

When the MS’s ion transfer tube is installed, do not flush it with cleaning solution, which flushes the residue into the MS.

Procedure

  1. Turn off the liquid flow from the syringe pump.
  2. Place the MS in Standby mode.
  3. Remove the syringe from the syringe pump as follows:
  4. Lift the syringe holder off of the syringe.
  5. Press the pusher block’s release button and slide the block to the left.
  6. Remove the syringe from the holder.
  7. Carefully remove the syringe needle from the Teflon™ tube on the syringe adapter assembly.
  8. Rinse the syringe with a solution of 50:50 methanol/water.
  9. Flush the sample transfer line, sample tube, and spray insert as follows:
  10. Load the clean syringe with a solution of 0.1% formic acid in 50:50 methanol/water (or another appropriate solvent, such as a solution of 0.1% formic acid in 50:50 acetonitrile/water).
  11. Carefully reinsert the syringe needle into the Teflon tube on the syringe adapter assembly.
  12. Slowly depress the syringe plunger to flush the solution through the sample transfer line, sample tube, and spray insert.
  13. Remove the syringe needle from the syringe adapter assembly.