ICP-MS Water Flow or Water Valve Errors

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent ICP-MS systems (7700/7800/7850/7900/8800/8900)

Issue

Error messages related to water flow or water valve issues can cause the plasma to shut off or disable plasma ignition. While a warning message will still allow the plasma to light and stay on, it is necessary to correct the issue.

Requirements

This troubleshooting procedure is applicable for the following warnings/errors:

• 1006 Execution Error: Cooling water (IF) flow rate is too low.
• 1029 Execution Error: Water valve sensor and/or water valve malfunction.
• 1400 Error: Cooling water (IF, RF) flow rate is too low.
• 1440 Error: Cooling water (IF) flow rate is too low. Spray chamber temperature control has been turned off.
• 2400 Warning: Cooling water (IF) flow rate is low.

Add the following meter to the ICP-MS MassHunter software

• Water RF/WC/IF

Items Required

Agilent Cool Clear (p/n 5799-0037)

Steps to Follow

1. Power off the ICP-MS System, wait 10 minutes, then power on the ICP-MS System.
2. Check and clean the ICP-MS Water Strainer. If the strainer is dirty, check the condition of the Agilent Cool Clear in the water recirculator and replace if necessary.
3. Check that the recirculator delivery pressure is between 33 and 50 psi.
4. Check the fluid level in the water recirculator and top off with Agilent Cool Clear if the level is low.
   • For the G3292A Chiller or G1879B Heat Exchanger, check the fluid level indicator on the rear of the unit (Figure 1, Item 1). If necessary, remove the reservoir cap (Figure 1, Item 2) and add Agilent Cool Clear until the level is within the minimum and maximum. 

           
     
     Figure 1. Rear of G3292A Chiller or G1879B Heat Exchanger
     1. Fluid level indicator 2. Reservoir fill port with cap removed
     
     

   • For the G8496A Chiller, observe the fluid level indicator icon at the top-left corner of the Chiller screen. If the fluid level is low (Figure 2, Item 2 or 3), remove the reservoir cap (Figure 2, Item 4) and add Cool Clear until the level indicator icon is blue (Figure 2, Item 1).

     
     
     Figure 2: G8496A Chiller
     1. Fluid level OK (blue), 2. Fluid level low (orange), 3. Fluid level extremely low (red) 4. Reservoir fill port with cap removed
     

5. Locate the Water RF/WC/IF meter in the I CP-MSMassHunter Software. With the ICP-MS in Standby mode, and the water recirculator ON, there should be no water flow through the ICP-MS (Water RF/WC/IF = 0 L/min). If the meter indicates water flowing through the system in Standby mode, the water valve may be stuck open. Try the following instructions to toggle the valve and retest.
   
   
6. Access the Sample Introduction Maintenance menu from  Dashboard > Sample Introduction > Maintenance (Figure 3).

               
   
   Figure 3. Dashboard > Sample Introduction > Maintenance
   

7. Select the check box next to Enable Temperature Control to open the water valve (Figure 4, Item 1), allowing water to flow through the ICP-MS. Monitor the Water RF/WC/IF and Water Temp meter (Figure 4, Item 2). The Water RF/WC/IF value should be above 0.85 L/min when the check box is selected. If the flow is above 0.85 L/min, retry plasma ignition.

   
   
   Figure 4: Sample Introduction Maintenance Menu
   1. Enable Temperature Control check box selected, 2. Water RF/WC/IF meter reading
   

8. If the valve is not opening or closing as expected (the Water RF/WC/IF value should be above 0.85 L/min when the check box is selected, and 0 L/min when the check box is cleared), toggle the Enable Temperature Control check box (select/clear) three cycles.
9. If the issue remains, contact Agilent Technical Support.

Learn how to effectively troubleshoot your Agilent ICP-MS System:  Agilent 7800/7850/7900 ICP-MS with MassHunter Agilent 8900 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS with MassHunter e-learning courses available from Agilent