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Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry
Standard Operating Procedure
INSTRUMENT:
Varian Vista-MPX CCD Simultaneous ICP-OES
INSTRUMENT START-UP:
A. Turn on the exhaust fan (should always be on)
1. The switch for the exhaust fan is located on the first column next to a
fire extinguisher
B. Turn on the LYTRON MCS Modular Cooling System
1. Let the unit run for a minimum of 15 minutes before turning on the
ICP
2. The cooling system is located behind the ICP
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C. Turn on the Argon
1. Make sure the argon gas in on in the gas cylinder storage room
2. Turn the argon gas valve on located on top of the lab bench
3. Turn on the ICP
ICP On/Off Switch
D. Make sure the rollers are in the locked position
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CREATING A METHOD:
A. Open the ICP Expert icon
B. Create a new worksheet
1. Click New
2. Name the file
3. Save the file
C. Turn on the Torch
1. Allow 15 minutes for the flame to heat up
D. Click Edit Method
1. Select the element(s) you are looking for
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2. Select two wavelength ranges in which the element you are looking
for does not overlap with any other elements
Make sure no other
elements overlap the
element you are testing
3. DO NOT change the conditions and QC screen
E. Click the Standards Tab
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Increase or decrease
the number of
standards
1. Verify the calibration mode is Quantitative
2. Enter the number of calibration standards that are required
a. You do not need to enter a blank because a blank is automatically
selected
3. Enter the concentration of each standard
4. Name the standards
a. Right Click in the current name box
b. Select Standard Names
c. Enter the Names
5. Select the units required
a. Click on the required cell
b. Select the units on the drop down menu
6. You cannot change the number of standards after a run has started.
You may want to add an extra standard as a placeholder
F. Select the Sequence Tab
G. Select the standards to be run
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1. The standards selected will be highlighted in Gray. If they are not
highlighted they will not be run
H. Click on the Sequence Editor
1. Set the amount of samples in the Sample Count Field
a. The minimum number of samples is 2
2. Make sure the Begin with Calibration option is selected
3. Make sure to include a blank in the calibration method
I. Click on the Analysis Tab and verify that all standards and samples to be
run are highlighted yellow. If they are not highlighted they will not run.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------RUNNING AN EXPERIMENT:
A. Click on the Green Arrow to start the analysis
B. You will be prompted to run your blank, standards, and samples.
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1. Use a Kim Wipe to wipe off the tubing in between standards and
samples to avoid cross contamination
C. When the samples are done running print the data
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------INSTRUMENT SHUT-DOWN:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Turn off the Torch
Close the ICP Expert Program
Turn off the ICP
Loosen the rollers
Close the argon gas valve at the bench top
Close the argon gas valve in the gas storage room
Turn off the argon cylinder in the gas storage room
Turn off the cooling system
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WASTE CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRUMENTAL CHEMISTRY COURSE:
A. Standards and samples may be disposed in waste container D in the
waste hood
B. Container is denoted by Yellow Label tape
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