Technical Note

Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

1. Checklist for Regular Maintenance Task.

Graphite Furnace Maintenance Checklist

No

Part

Maintenance plan

Graphite tube

Graphite
contacts
(HGA Contact
Set)

Once the tube is contaminated,

because of dirt deposit/accumulate
around the injection hole on the
integrated platform, it is can be clean
up but it is more recommended to
replace the tube to reduce the sample
measurement risk (accuracy).
Normally after hundred (>500) of
sample measurement the tube will
have potential to get pitted and
cracked, as well as the niobium
coating also was already not work
well, replacement of graphite tube is
important before this happen.
Perform a monthly visible check, to
see if any pitted and crack on the
contact cylinder surface
Every time that the furnace is opened,
remove any particles/dirt from inside
the contacts using a small vacuum
cleaner or a cleaning swab.
Replace the contact cylinder for every
6000 measurement (include duplicate
measure)
Table 1: Maintenance checklist

Estimate
Time
After 400
measuremen
t
(Weekly)

Part
Number
BO 070699

After 6000
measuremen
t

BO 128495

2. Standard procedure
2.1 Graphite furnace replacement
2.2 Graphite contacts replacement (contact cylinder)

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Technical Note
Version : 1

2.1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

Graphite furnace replacement

To open the furnace to install/ change graphite tube and also to clean inside the graphite
contacts
2.1.1 Make sure furnace surface is cool enough to start the maintenance work
2.1.2 Carefully remove both of furnace lenses (window), without touch the surface of lens
with the finger. (clean them if necessary)

Figure 1 : Open close furnace lens.

2.1.3 In standby furnace position, In the Furnace Control window, click on Open/Close,
then the furnace opens and the graphite tube is accessible
2.1.4 Remove the graphite tube and also the Graphite shield ring at the left contact
cylinder (clean them if necessary)

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

Figure 2 : Remove Graphite Tube & Shield Ring

2.1.5 Before install the new graphite tube we need to clean the surface/wall of the
contact furnace as normally there many deposited burn sample (fat) accumulate on
the surface.

Figure 3 : Clean furnace.

2.1.6 Install back the new graphite tube, by putting it into the hole of contact cylinder
with the correct alignment as showed on figure 4 (using tube alignment tool)

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

Figure 4: Graphite tube installation

2.1.7 In the Furnace Control window, click on Open/Close, then the furnace will
automatically close, and back to the standby position.

2.1.8 After that, again in the Furnace Control window, click on Condition tube,
recommend that to run the graphite tube conditioning program every time, we
change the graphite tube or platform. The conditioning procedure removes
adsorbed gases and surface contamination from the graphite, and ensures
reproducible performance.
At this stage the system uses a special furnace program to heat the tube to
successively higher temperatures
2.1.9 By using the niobium method (select this method) run the niobium sample to coat
the new graphite tube installed earlier. Niobium able to protect the graphic tube for
the shelf life purpose.

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

Figure 5 : Niobium Coating

2.1.10
In the Furnace Control window, click on Align auto sampler, to Align
back the auto sampler. Furnace system ready for the next sample measurement.
(done)

2.2

Graphite contacts replacement (contact cylinder)

Change the graphite contacts when one or both contacts are badly contaminated or
show visible pits and small cracks. Always change both contacts at the same time.
Summary standard procedure

Open the furnace and remove the graphite tube

Remove the right-hand contact
Remove the left-hand contact

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

Install a new left-hand contact

Install a new right-hand contact
Insert the graphite tube and close the furnace
Procedure 2.1.1 until
Condition the graphite tube
2.1.10
Align the auto sampler

Special tools to change the contacts are provided with the furnace. These are used in
different configurations for different procedures as depicted in the following illustrations.

Open the furnace and remove the graphite tube

2.2.1 Carefully remove both of furnace lenses (window), without touch the surface of lens
with the finger. (clean them if necessary)
2.2.2 In standby furnace position, In the Furnace Control window, click on Open/Close,
then the furnace opens and the graphite tube is accessible
2.2.3 Carefully push the black locking ring of the connector into the connector and pull
the tube out of the connector
2.2.4 Pull the right-hand furnace block, the graphite tube is now accessible. Remove the
graphite tube do not touch the graphite tube with bare fingers.
2.2.5 Very carefully, using a small screwdriver, lever the graphite shield ring from the
left-hand contact.

Figure 6 : Remove Graphite Tube & Shield Ring

Remove the right-hand contact

2.2.6 Take the contact installation tool provided and place the dome-shaped extractor on
the bolt. Pass the bolt from the internal side of the furnace through the right
contact cylinder and out through the window cavity the furnace block.
2.2.7 Screw the traction nut with its long side toward the furnace block onto the free end
of the bolt.

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

Figure 7 : Tool to remove right contact cylinder

2.2.8 Carefully turn the bolt clockwise with the ratchet spanner provided to draw in the
traction nut and thus push the graphite contact out of the furnace block.
2.2.9 Disassemble and remove the installation tool.

Figure 8: Removal right contact cylinder

Remove the left-hand contact

2.2.10
Take the contact installation tool provided and place the dome-shaped
extractor on the bolt. Pass the bolt from the internal side of the furnace through the
left-hand contact and out through the window cavity. The lugs on the extractor fit
over the furnace block.

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

2.2.11
Screw the traction nut with its long side toward the furnace block onto the
free end of the bolt. Position the traction nut so that the flat side on the rim passes
under the optical sensor.
2.2.12
Carefully turn the bolt clockwise with the ratchet spanner provided to draw
in the traction nut and thus push the graphite contact out of the furnace block.
2.2.13

Disassemble and remove the installation tool.

Figure 9: Removal right contact cylinder

Install a new left-hand contact

2.2.14
Place the long arm of the plastic alignment gauge and the replacement lefthand (short) contact on the bolt, so that the contact fits in the ring in the gauge.

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

2.2.15
Pass the bolt from the internal side through the left-hand furnace block and
out through the window cavity.
2.2.16
Screw the traction nut with its short side toward the furnace block onto the
free end of the bolt Position the traction nut so that the flat side on the rim passes
under the optical sensor.
2.2.17
Carefully turn the bolt clockwise with the ratchet spanner provided to draw
in the traction nut and thus push the graphite contact out of the furnace block.
Make certain that the contact is not tilted.
2.2.18
Disassemble and remove the installation tool. Take care not to scratch or
damage the contact.

Figure 10: Installation left contact cylinder

Install a new right-hand contact

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

2.2.19
Place the short arm of the plastic alignment gauge and the replacement
right-hand (long) contact on the bolt, so that the contact fits in the ring in the
gauge and the lug in the ring inserts into the sample in the ring inserts into the
sample introduction port of the contact.
2.2.20
Pass the bolt from the internal side through the right-hand furnace block and
out through the window cavity so that the long arm of the alignment gauge rests
against the furnace block.
2.2.21
Screw the traction nut with its short side toward the furnace block onto the
free end of the bolt.
2.2.22
Carefully turn the bolt clockwise with the ratchet spanner to draw the
contact into the furnace block. Make certain that the contact is not tilted.
2.2.23
Disassemble and remove the installation tool. Take care not to scratch or
damage the contact.

Figure 11: Installation left contact cylinder

2.2.24
Slide the graphite shield ring with its large flat face toward the furnace block
over the left-hand contact.

Page 1

Technical Note
Version : 1

Date: 24 April 2011

Instrument: AAS (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 700)

Graphite Furnace System Maintenance Changing
Contact Cylinder & Graphite Tube

Figure 11: Install back cleaned shield ring

Page 1