Perkin Elmer AA800 Opera1on Guide for Flame Atomiza1on Updated 2 Nov 2011
Ca Analysis for Chem 105
1. Just before your lab starts, turn on the instrument and warm up the lamp (the lamp must warm up for a minimum of 30 minutes before use).
Turn on computer if it is off • User-‐name and password are ‘aauser’,
all lowercase. • Turn on the Flame AA. Power switch is
at the front of the instrument on the lower leR.
• Open WinLab32 soRware. This will take several minutes to open • Double-‐click here.
Set up the lamp. • Click on the lamp icon in the WinLab32 toolbar.
The lamp should be turned on and allowed to warm up for 30 minutes prior to using it or you may not get linear data!
Make sure the current is set to 15 mA
• Type 15 in here. • Click ‘Apply’
Choose the correct lamp for Ca analysis • Click on the ‘Lamp 2’ box • It will set up and op1mize itself • A message will show ‘Lamp Setup
Complete’ (this will take a few minutes). • Energy level should be in the mid-‐70’s
When you are done, you MUST close the Lamp Setup Window to con1nue.
A few minutes before the first group of students is ready with their samples, finish se^ng up the instrument.
Click on the ‘Method’ icon
Or, go to File > Open > Method > Ca_Flame_Chem105.
Choose Ca_Flame_Chem105 Click ‘OK’
Click on the ‘Sample Info:’ icon
Or, go to File > Open > Sample Info File > Ca_Flame_Chem105.sif
Scroll to the right and select ‘Ca_Flame_Chem105.sif’ Click ‘Open’.
Then, you will need to set up the sample info file. This may need to wait un1l your students are ready with their samples.
Click on the SamInfo icon on WinLab32 toolbar
Type in the loca1ons of the samples and their names. • Names should be unique for each group. • Make sure that the autosampler loca1ons are
correct for each groups’ samples.
When the first group is ready, light the flame
• A few things to remember – Never leave the flame running unless someone is standing there to watch it
– Be sure that the pump on the side of the autosampler is running at all 1mes when the flame is on
– Acetylene is limited -‐-‐-‐ DO NOT leave the flame running if you are not running samples
– Keep an eye out for clogs in the aspirator tube.
Prep the acetylene for the flame
• DO NOT turn on the flame un1l the first group has entered their data into the sample info editor.
Make sure that the acetylene tank is turned ALL THE WAY ON
Only touch the handle on the top of the tank!
The acetylene pressure needs to be between 13 and 15 psi when the flame is lit.
There MUST be at least 85 psi in the tank before you start.
Turn on the pump on the side of the autosampler!
Click on ‘Op1ons’ and then select ‘Autosampler’
Click on ‘Pump always on’ and then click ‘OK’. The pump on the side of the autosampler should start running. If not, try again.
Select the ‘Flame’ icon in the WinLab32 soRware toolbar.
Light the flame by clicking on the toggle switch icon and wait for the flame to light automa1cally. This process may need to be repeated to get flame igni1on.
Keep an eye on the drainage tube leading away from the burner head– make sure liquid drips slowly out. MAKE SURE WATER IS ASPIRATING AT ALL TIMES!
Have your students run their samples.
Click on the ‘Auto’ icon.
Check that the Set Up screen op1ons match those to the leR. If they do, click on the ‘Analyze’ tab.
Click ‘Rebuild List’ to update the sample informa1on and loca1on for your students.
Click ‘Analyze All’ and automated analysis will proceed to comple1on.
Click on the ‘Results’ icon on the toolbar to see the results as they appear.
If a group comes in while other samples are running:
• Click on the ‘SamInfo’ icon
• Type in the sample loca1on and ID • Close the window. • When the first group’s samples have finished running:
– Click on the ‘Auto’ icon – Click on the ‘Analyze’ tab – Click ‘Rebuild List’ – The samples should populate and be in line for analysis.
When a group has finished:
• If there is no other group ready to run – TURN OFF THE FLAME
When ALL groups are finished
• TURN OFF the flame • Turn off the autosampler pump – Go to Op1ons > Autosampler > Pump Always off – Click OK
• Turn off the acetylene – Turn only the top knob on the acetylene tank
When ALL groups are done, con’t.
• Bleed the gases. – Click on the ‘Flame’ icon on the toolbar – Click on ‘Bleed Gases’ – Check that the regulator has zeroed.
• Turn off the lamp • Close the soRware • Turn off the instrument • Remove all samples from the autosampler tray
Things to Remember #1
• Acetylene – Be sure the acetylene tank has at least 75 psi of pressure
– When it gets below 100, see Emily and/or Jacy – Turn off the acetylene when everyone is finished – Be sure to bleed the lines
Things to Remember #2
• Flame: – Make sure the autosampler pump is running before you light the flame.
– Make sure that the autosampler pump is running whenever the flame is lit
– Make sure that the RO water for the autosampler pump is at least half full
– Do NOT leave the flame running if someone is not there to watch the instrument
Things to Remember #3
• Samples: – Be sure that the samples are all labeled – Be sure your students remove their test tubes/samples when their run is over • If they do not, YOU have to do this
Things to Remember #4
• There is more prin1ng paper in the drawer under the printer. – If that is out, see Jacy or Emily
• Fill in the logbook