Waters iKey - Manual (Page 10)

10
[ CARE AND USE MANUAL ]
iKey
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Don’t assume the iKey is to blame:
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Investigate cause of iKey failure;
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Monitor backpressure;
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Examine mobile phase age, bacterial contamination, mobile phase precipitation, etc.;
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Examine sample quality;
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Examine injection solvent strength.
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Do not prepare excessive amounts of mobile phase:
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To reduce the chances of mobile phase contamination or degradation, prepare enough mobile phase to last for 3–4 days.
Alternatively, store excess bulk quantities in a refrigerated environment.
b. Troubleshooting Questions
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What is the age of your 100% aqueous mobile phase?
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Is the mobile phase filtered through a 0.2 µm membrane?
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Was the mobile phase prepared fresh or topped off?
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Is the water source of adequate quality?
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When was the last time the water system was serviced or was the bottle of water unopened?
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Is bacterial growth a possibility?
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If a neat standard is prepared in the initial mobile phase conditions and injected, are the problems still observed?
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If the sample is additionally filtered/purified (i.e., SPE, filtration, etc.) is the problem still observed?
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Has the quality of the samples changed over time?
c. Good Practices
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Do not operate at pressures that exceed 10000 psi (690 bar).
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Do not apply electrospray potential to the emitter for an extended period of time without mobile phase flow.
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Do not immerse in liquid.
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Do not touch any part of the iKey other than the handle.
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Do not freeze.
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Flush with acetonitrile and store at room temperature when not in use.
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Use the iKey sheath to protect device when not in use.
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Do not bend or pull the capillary connection tubing at the ionKey source coupling.
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Avoid excess voltage (>4.0 kV) which can erode emitter over time.