Because buffer salts and high concentration samples can cause blockages, you must clean the ion sweep cone, the ion transfer tube, and the spray cone on a regular basis.

If the pressure in the ion transfer tube and RF lens region (as measured by the Source Pressure gauge) drops below the pressure listed in the following table, the ion transfer tube is probably blocked, and you might need to replace it.

Source Pressure gauge reading that indicates the ion transfer tube might be blocked

Model

Pressure reading

TSQ Altis Plus , TSQ Altis, and TSQ Quantiva

<2 Torr

All other models in the TSQ Series II product line

<1 Torr

Clean the following external components of the API source interface at the same time:

  • Ion sweep cone
  • External surface of the spray cone
  • Ion transfer tube

Replace the ion transfer tube if the cleaning procedure does not remove the blockage.

CAUTION

To prevent corrosion, do not use nitric acid to clean metal parts.

TIP

You do not have to vent the system to remove the ion sweep cone or ion transfer tube. You do not need to remove the spray cone to clean its external surface.

To maintain the ion sweep cone, the ion transfer tube, and the spray cone, follow these steps:

  1. Remove the ion sweep cone
  2. Remove the ion transfer tube
  3. Clean the spray cone
  4. Clean the ion sweep cone and the ion transfer tube
  5. Reinstall the ion transfer tube
  6. Remove the ion sweep cone
  7. Verify the cleaning process for the external components of the API source