PE Graphite Furnace AAS Instructions

Start-up instructions for the PE Graphite Furnace AAS
Preliminary steps (often these steps will be completed by the CABR ITI prior to use)  -

• Turn on argon gas supply.  Locate the argon gas cylinder next to the instrument and open the main valve by rotating CCW two to three full turns.  Ensure the first regulator gauge has at least 400 psi pressure.  If below 400 order a new argon gas cylinder.  This regulator should not have to be adjusted and should be set between 50-58 psi on the second gauge.
• Check rinse reservoirs.  Locate the rinse reservoir on the right hand side of the auto-sampler and ensure there is enough 1% nitric acid rinse solution for your analysis.  Locate the waste reservoir on the left of the auto-sampler and empty it if necessary. 
• Turn on the GFAAS.  Turn on the instrument at by flipping the power switch on the lower left front of the instrument.  Wait one or two minutes for the instrument to initialize before starting the software. 
• Power up the Computer.  Turn on the GFAAS computer. If already on log in to the computer and locate the "WinLab32 for AA" icon on the desktop.  Double click this icon to start the software.  Wait for several minutes for the software to communicate to the three modules of the instrument.
• Load workspace for operation.  If you have not already prepared a customized workspace open the "mra" workspace as a default.  This will load the most common windows for an analysis.
• Turn on the lamp for analysis.  On the WinLab32 software locate the "Lamps" tab and click it to open the lamp selection and turn on window.  Select the lamp you wish to use and double click the line in the table that identifies that lamp.  This should turn on the lamp and adjust the gain and current settings automatically.  The AA lamps require sufficient warm up time before analysis.  Usually the time required to set up the auto-sampler is sufficient.    
• Set up the Autosampler for Analysis .  The steps involved in preparing the auto-sampler for analysis must be performed each time the instrument is started up.  As these steps are too numerous to be included in the start-up guide please follow the THGA Graphite Furnace Users Guide pages 2-15 to 2-24.  The Users Guide is located in the top drawer near the instrument.
• The instrument is ready for loading samples, editing the sample info file, method development, and your analysis. Refer to the WinLab32 on-line help, and Users Guide if needed.

• Turning off the GFAAS.  To power down the GFAAS, flush the auto-sampler three times with 1% nitric acid from the flush reservoir, then replace the 1% nitric acid container with a bottle of UPW and flush the system another three times.  Close the software, wait a few moments for the WinLab32 software to close, then power down the instrument at the switch on the lower left of the instrument, and close the argon gas cylinder tank main valve by turning it CW until closed.