Replacing and Adjusting the 5000 Series ICP-OES Peristaltic Pump Tubing

This Information Applies To: Agilent 5000 Series ICP-OES (5100, 5110, 5800, 5900) 

Issue

Pump tubing that has lost its elasticity will not deliver the sample to the nebulizer correctly. When the pump tubing appears limp or flattened or does not require stretching to fit over the pump rollers, it should be replaced with new pump tubing.

Peristaltic pump components

Figure 1 shows the peristaltic pump components.

Figure 1:  Peristaltic pump components

1. Pump rollers 2. Pressure bar 3. Pressure bar tensioner screw 4. Pressure bar tensioner 5. Spray chamber to waste 6. Sample to nebulizer

Warning: The peristaltic pump has moving parts that can damage hands or fingers caught underneath the clamps during operation. Keep hands away from the peristaltic pump while it is running.

Steps to follow

To install peristaltic pump tubing: 

1. Install drain pump tubing.
2. Install sampling pump tubing.
3. Adjust drain flow rate.
4. Adjust sampling flow rate.

Tip: Agilent pump tubing, PVC tubing and connector barb sizes vary with application. Some sized tubing will not require a connector barb. Always ensure that the drain tubing has a greater internal diameter than the sample tubing. To reduce the dead volume and maximize sample throughput, cut and remove excess pump and PVC tubing. Leave at least 10 mm outside the tags on ends of the pump tubing. Use the Agilent tube cutter (part number 8710-19300) for a clean cut with no damage to the tube end (Figure 2). Damage may cause flow rate problems.

Figure 2: Agilent tube cutter

 Install drain pump tubing

Figure 3 shows how to connect drain pump tube to the spray chamber and waste.

Figure 3: Connecting the drain pump tubing

1. Attach a piece of PVC capillary tubing to the spray chamber drain.
2. Attach a connector barb to each end of a drain pump tube. 
3. Wrap the drain pump tube around the rollers and place the tube tabs into the top and bottom tube retainer positions. 
4. Connect the pump tube in the bottom retainer position to the spray chamber drain capillary tube. 
5. Connect the pump tube in the top retainer tube position to a length of tubing that runs to a waste collection vessel. 

 Install sampling pump tubing

Figure 4 shows how to connect the sampling pump tubing to the nebulizer and sample delivery tube.

Figure 4: Connecting the sampling pump tubing

1. Wrap the sampling pump tube around the rollers and place the tube tabs into the top and bottom tube retainer positions. Note: Barbs adaptors are not normally required for sampling pump tubing. The sampling and the nebulizer capillary tubing will insert directly into the sampling pump tubing. 
2. Connect the tube in the top retainer position to the nebulizer capillary tubing.
3. Connect the tube in the bottom retainer position to a length of capillary tubing long enough to sit in the sampling solution. Alternatively, if you are using an autosampler, attach the capillary to the autosampler tubing. 
4. Place the capillary tubing in the solution for uptake. 

Adjust drain flow rate

Figure 5 shows how to adjust the drain pump flow rate.

Figure 5: Adjusting the drain flow rate

1. Turn on the pump.
2. Turn the pressure bar tensioner screw counterclockwise to release the pressure.
3. Push the pressure bar towards the drain tubing.
4. Push the pressure bar tensioner down until the peg at the end of the pressure tensioner sits firmly against the pressure bar.
5. Gradually tighten the pressure tensioner screw clockwise until the flow through the drain tubing is smooth.

   Tip: To help see the flow, introduce some air bubbles into the capillary by lifting the sample tubing in and out of the sample bottle.

Adjust sampling flow rates:

Figure 6 shows how to adjust the sampling pump flow rate.

Figure 6: Adjusting the sampling flow rate

1. Disconnect the sample capillary (6 in Figure 1) from the nebulizer and place the end into a suitable container to catch the waste liquid.
2. Turn on the pump.
3. Turn the pressure bar tensioner screw counterclockwise to release the pressure.
4. Push the pressure bar towards the drain tubing.
5. Push the pressure bar tensioner down until the peg at the end of the pressure tensioner sits firmly against the pressure bar.
6. Gradually tighten the pressure tensioner screw clockwise until the flow through the sampling tubing is smooth

   Tip: To help see the flow, introduce some air bubbles into the capillary by lifting the sample tubing in and out of the sample bottle.

Recommended maintenance: Agilent recommends daily inspection and weekly replacement of pump tubing.

Learn more on how to effectively maintain your ICPOES:  ICPOES-5110-1200e - Agilent 5110 ICP-OES Instrumentation Overview ICPOES-5900-1200e - Agilent 5800/5900 ICP-OES with ICP Expert Instrumentation Overview e-learning course available from Agilent education