How to clean SPS 4 probe?

Hi Shane,

What type of samples are you analysing and what is the matrix?

I typically prefer to rinse with the same matrix as the samples being analysed. This helps to keep the tubing clean. Once a probe is visibly dirty it can be difficult to clean. I would suggest replacing the probe and using a more aggressive rinse. The minimum i suggest is 2% HNO3, although if you are measuring something basic, a different rinse may be more appropriate.

If you want to try to clean the probe running some acid through it may be able to clean it. 10% HNO3 may do what you need. You could use a syringe to connect to the probe to rinse it, or use the autosampler pump. 

Regards,

Peter

Hi Shane,

We have a recommended regeneration procedure for the probe, usually used for ICP-MS to get rid of sticky elements that contribute to the background.  Note this is an aggressive strip and clean that you can only perform about 3-times before you will need to replace the probe.

4-step rinse by pumping ~50mL of:

1. Ammonium Hydroxide 1:1 dilution with Ultrapure water
2. conc Nitric acid 1:1 dilution with Ultrapure water
3. conc HCl 1:1 dilution with Ultrapure water
4. Ultrapure water

Aim to pump 50ml in 30-40 min each (@1.5mL/min)

As Peter mentions suggest relook at your rinse to ensure it is cleaning out your sample matrix sufficiently each time.

Hope that helps.

Rgds, Gareth

Hi everyone, 

Thank you Peter Riles and Gareth Pearson for the brilliant feedback. Prior to your replies managed to clean the probe effectively by using a very dilute detergent (Hellmanex III) in an ultrasonic batch. 

The following method was used:

1. Draw water through the probe into the tubing connected to the probe using a syringe.

2. Submerge the tubing and the probe together into the ultrasonic bath.

3. Ultrasonicate for 15 minutes. 

Following this I noticed that the water alone was sufficient to thoroughly clean the probe itself however a small blockage was still observed in the tubing.

4. Add a very small aliquot of detergent into the ultrasonic bath.

5. Using a syringe again, draw the dilute detergent solution into the probe and tubing and submerge fully in the bath.

6. Ultrasonicate for a further 15 minutes.

No deposits remained on/in the probe or tubing.

I then used Peter Riles advice of using the nitric acid (2%) as a rinse solution and this has functioned well at reducing deposit formation. If the need should arise in the future for an aggressive rinse according to Gareth Pearson's contribution, I will keep the method in mind.

Thank you all!

Regards,

Shane 

Thanks for sharing your experience Shane so we can also learn from you - glad to hear you have had success!

Rgds, Gareth

This could be work for a sample probe of Headspace Autosampler? 

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