Operational Tips for the Agilent Sample Introduction Pump System SIPS 10/20

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent SIPS 10/20

Issue

Operational tips for the Sample Introduction Pump System (SIPS) 10/20.

Background

SIPS is an integrated, efficient dilution system for flame AA and is suitable for use with most Agilent (flame) atomic absorption spectrometers. See Figure 1 for SIPS 20; Figure 2 for flow path on SIPS 10; Figure 3 for flow path on SIPS 20.

Figure 1. SIPS 20

Figure 2. Illustration of flow for SIPS 10

Figure 3. Illustration of flow for SIPS 20

Steps to Follow

Tips: For maintenance information on the SIPS 10/20 see: SIPS 10/20 Maintenance

Operational Tips:

• Never run the tubing dry. It will collapse and the accuracy will be affected. 
• Regularly check the diluent in the Mariotte vessel to ensure there is enough solution in the bottle. 
• Check accuracy every 50–60 samples by measuring a diluted standard. 
• Ensure that the bulk standard has been accurately prepared. Accurate preparation of the standard will determine the accuracy of your calibration and your sample results.
• Ensure that the calibration covers an extended Absorbance range, approaching 1 Abs. This will give a wider dynamic range and a better curve fit.
• As with all AA instruments, it is a good practice to operate the flame for approximately 30 minutes to thermally equilibrate the system.
  • During that time, also run the SIPS pumps for 15–30 min to condition the pump tubing. 
• Edit the SpectrAA Configuration under the SIPS heading to specify the SIPS Pump Delay (in seconds) Figure 4.
  • Setting the correct SIPS Pump Delay allows the solution flow to stabilize after starting the pump or changing pump speeds. This delay must be long enough to allow solution to move from the T-piece to the nebulizer.
  • Recommended settings are 8 seconds for manual sampling and 12 seconds for use with an autosampler. 
    

    
    
    Figure 4. SpectrAA SIPS Configuration menu
    
    

Tips: Whenever new pump tubes have been installed it is necessary to condition the tubing before analysis, otherwise signal drift may be observed as the tubing settles in during operation. See How to Replace and Condition the SIPS Pump Tubing to condition new tubing after it has been installed.

Condition previously used pump tubing before each use with the following procedure:

1.  Prepare the rinse solution of 0.01% (mass/volume) Triton X-100.
2.  Dip the inlet tube for the pump in the rinse solution.
3.  In the Analysis page of a worksheet, select Condition Pump Tubes from the Instrument menu. Set the time limit to 15 minutes and click OK (Figure 5).
4.  Pump this solution until the time has lapsed. The SIPS unit is now ready for regular operation.
   

   
   
   Figure 5. Analysis Page of Worksheet in SpectrAA
   
   

   Tips: This procedure can be completed while waiting for the hollow cathode lamp and burner to warm up and stabilize.