Lithium contamination (7850)

Question

We unfortunately analyzed a client sample with 100000ppb Lithium and we can't seem to rinse it out of 7850. Any suggestions? We have cleaned the cones, lens, all tubing, new torch. Our matrix is 2%nitric. Is there anything else we can do? It is slowly washing out however its been several days and we would like to move this along.

cschulz · Answer

Hi, 
 Set Up a Rinse Solution with 5% HNO3 and 5% HCl and rinse the System in Standby for (just turn on the peri pump) 
 If you use the T-Piece for the internal standard, do not forget to clean it as well. 
 Turn on the Plasma and have a look in signal monitor about the Li Counts in the 2% HNO3 rinse, if they are still high, introduce the 5% HNO3/HCl solution. 
 The counts should decrease faster but have in mind that excessive use of HCl will damage your cones, so i recommend doing this only several minutes.

if it looks like this, it is too much Lithium ;-)

Lithium contamination (7850)

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