Two thermospray probe insert designs that allow clogged probes to be rapidly replaced
T Macmahon1, C W Baker, J C Miller
1East Fishkill Facility, IBM, 12533, Hopewell Junction, NY, USA.
Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
|November 16, 2013
Summary
Two new thermospray probe insert designs reduce clogging and downtime for analytical scientists. A stainless steel design proved more durable than fused-silica, minimizing maintenance for mass spectrometry. Keywords: thermospray, probe insert, mass spectrometry, analytical science, clogging, downtime.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Mass Spectrometry
Background:
- Thermospray is a widely adopted technique in analytical science, often integrated into mass spectrometers.
- A significant challenge with thermospray is the frequent clogging of probe inserts, leading to increased costs and operational interruptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate two novel probe insert designs for thermospray systems.
- The goal was to minimize clogging issues, reduce associated expenses, and decrease instrument downtime.
Main Methods:
- Development and testing of two new probe insert designs: one utilizing fused-silica tubing and another employing stainless steel.
- Comparative analysis of the new designs against the standard Kratos thermospray probe insert, focusing on performance, durability, and ease of maintenance.
Main Results:
- Both new designs successfully minimized clogging and facilitated quick capillary replacement, reducing downtime.
- The fused-silica design exhibited beam instability and tip brittleness, requiring frequent replacement.
- The stainless steel design demonstrated superior performance without the issues observed with the fused-silica insert.
Conclusions:
- The stainless steel probe insert design offers a reliable solution to thermospray clogging problems.
- These advancements enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of thermospray mass spectrometry for analytical scientists.
