Daniel,


it must be carbon...we had the same thing several times when we tried to 
clean our desolvating system with diluted isopropanol...that stuff went 
clean but cones were black...hard to remove even by sonicating...after all, 
fine alumina oxide powder and very gentle mechanical removal were the best 
combination to get a clean cone again...with citranox sonicating in the 
final step...


Best,

Tomas

___________________________________________

Dr.sc.nat. Tomas Magna

Institut für Mineralogie
Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Corrensstrasse 24
D-48149 Münster
Germany
Tel.: +49-251-833 3461
Fax: +49-251-833 8397
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Daniel Fischer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 11:12 AM
Subject: Re: Cone Cleaning (again...)


Dear All,
We have a shiny, black buildup on the skimmer cone. Any idea, what this
might be? Carbon? We measure organic samples, but most samples are rich in
calcium.
By the way, we clean the platinum tip in a sonic bath for about 5 minutes
in eighter 5% HNO3 or for the black residue in a common sonic bath
detergent like citranox (2%). So far, no harm done to the platinum.
Best regards
Daniel

Strength. Performance. Passion.
--
Daniel Fischer
Holcim (Schweiz) AG - http://www.holcim.ch
Manufacturing Services Central Europe
Central Laboratory
Zementweg 1
CH-5303 Wuerenlingen
Phone: +41 58 850 55 07 | Fax: +41 58 850 55 70

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             rube_epond
             <[log in to unmask]>
             Gesendet von:                                              An
             "PLASMACHEM-L:             [log in to unmask]
             Analytical                                              Kopie
             Chem.(ICP's,
             DCP's, MIP's)."                                         Thema
             <PLASMACHEM-L@LIS          Re: Cone Cleaning (again...)
             TSERV.SYR.EDU>


             13.01.2010 09:23


              Bitte antworten
                    an
              "PLASMACHEM-L:
                Analytical
               Chem.(ICP's,
              DCP's, MIP's)."
             <PLASMACHEM-L@LIS
              TSERV.SYR.EDU>






Hello Steve and Adam,

There's a comprehensive manufacturer's guide available as a
565-KByte PDF file download in the Spectron web site at :

http://www.spectronus.com/resources.php

Look for the link   'SI Cone Cleaning Guide'  under the heading
'Technical Notes towards page bottom.

It distinguishes several methods used for various types of cones.

Good reading,

Alan

--------------------------
Alan 'Rube' Eastgate
EPOND SA
CP 389
CH-1800  Vevey
Switzerland

tel. +41 21 921 2941
fax +41 21 921 4408

http://www.e-pond.biz

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
On Wednesday 13 January 2010 03:04:41 you wrote:
> As an aside to his topic, take care sonicating cones-especially for
> extended periods of time.
>
> One test for whether your ultrasound bath is working properly is to put
> a piece of Al foil into the bath and sonicate for 5 min.  An effective
> bath will actually perforate the foil.  The bath we use (Soniclean
> brand) turns the foil into lacework
>
> We've observed that skimmer cone orifices quickly become distorted (40X
> microscope) when sonicated (same principle as for the Al foil?).  This
> may contribute to shorter cone lifespans/decreased performance....
>
> -Steve
>
> Steve Money (PhD)
> Department Head-Inorganic Chemistry
>
> Watercare Laboratory Services
> 52 Aintree Avenue
> Airport Oaks
> PO Box 107 028
> Auckland
> New Zealand
>
> Email:     [log in to unmask]
> Phone:   +64 (0)9 539 7768
> Mobile:  +64 (0)21 947 768
> Fax:       +64 (0)9 539 7620
>
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> -----Original Message-----
> From: PLASMACHEM-L: Analytical Chem.(ICP's, DCP's, MIP's).
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adam Subhas
> Sent: Wednesday, 13 January 2010 12:19 p.m.
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Cone Cleaning (again...)
>
> Hey all,
>
> After running a high concentration carbonate sample on our ICP-MS, it
> has come time to clean the cones.  I've followed the advice in the
> previous cone cleaning thread on citranox, and did a 30-minute citranox
> solution (pH 3) sonication followed by a 30-minute DIW sonication.
> Quite a bit of the matrix was removed; however, under the microscope it
> looks like there is still a fair amount of buildup on the sample cone,
> and noticeable buildup on the skimmer cone as well.  I've heard success
> stories with EDTA, but am wondering about the concentrations - I'm sure
> EDTA acid would be too acidic to use on its own; perhaps a mixture of
> EDTA acid and the EDTA salt?  Anyone have any experience using EDTA as a
> cone-cleaning agent?  What's a ballpark pH to shoot for with the
> mixture?  I'm afraid to resort to straight acid...Thanks in advance for
> any advice!
>
> --
> Adam Subhas
> Research Technician
> Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences California Institute of
> Technology
=