Agilent Technologies 5500t User manual

Agilent 5500 Series
FTIR
Operation Manual

2 Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2008–
2013
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Manual Part Number
0020-401
Edition
Fifth edition, September 2013
Printed in Malaysia
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
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Contents
Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual 3
Contents
1. Introduction 5
2. Getting Started 9
Unpacking 9
Agilent 5500t FTIR packing list 10
Agilent 5500a FTIR packing list 10
Connecting power 11
Power cord selection 13
Connecting the computer 14
Turning on the instrument 15
Power switch LED 15
Starting the software 16
Logging on to MicroLab PC for the first time 16
Performance verification 17
Diagnostic values 18
Performance validation 20
3. Analyzing Samples 23
Lube samples with the Agilent 5500t FTIR 23
Cleaning the TumblIR accessory 25
Collecting a background spectrum 26
Measuring a sample 26
Agilent 5500t FTIR with a TumblIR 28
Cleaning the accessory 29
Collecting a background spectrum 30

Contents
4 Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual
Measuring a liquid sample 31
Agilent 5500a FTIR with an ATR 33
Cleaning the accessory 36
Collecting a background spectrum 36
Collecting a sample spectrum 37
Agilent 5500 DialPath FTIR 39
Cleaning the DialPath accessory 41
Collecting a background spectrum 43
Measuring a liquid sample 43
4. Spare Parts 47
5. Specifications 49
Environmental conditions 50
Electromagnetic compatibility 50
ICES/NMB-001 51

Introduction
Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual 5
1. Introduction
The Agilent 5500 Series FTIR instruments are small sized, mid-
infrared region spectrometer platforms specifically designed to
provide the capabilities of much larger, traditional FTIR
spectrometers, but without the complexity, maintenance
requirements or cost. The instrument dimensions are only 20.3 x 20.3
x 11.4 centimeters (8.0 x 8.0 x 4.5 in) high and it is very lightweight
(3.6 kg; 8 lb). Although the hardware platforms are in many ways the
same, the Agilent 5500t FTIR system is designed specifically for
onsite oil analysis, and the Agilent 5500a FTIR system is designed for
sample analysis in challenging, multi-user environments. Both
platforms provide versatility for use in a traditional analytical
chemistry laboratory, a temporary field laboratory or even in the
field. However, it is primarily intended for indoor use and is not
designed for water-resistance or other extreme outdoor conditions.
WARNING
Fire Hazard
5500 Series FTIR systems are NOT intrinsically safe. Use the system only in
atmospheres that have been tested for flammable materials. If the equipment
is used in a manner not specified in this manual, the protection provided by
the equipment may be impaired.

Introduction
6 Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual
The 5500 Series FTIR systems use technology known as Fourier
transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which is the current state-
of-the-art technique for molecular compound identification and
quantification. FTIR uses an infrared (IR) light source to pass
through the sample and onto a detector, which precisely measures
the amount of light absorbed by the sample. This absorbance creates
a unique spectral fingerprint that is used to identify the molecular
structure of the sample and determine the exact quantity of a
particular compound in a mixture.
The heart of the Agilent FTIR spectrometer system is a patented,
rugged Michelson interferometer, field-proven for onsite and mobile
use. This proprietary design is the key to successfully making FTIR
technology compact, lightweight, rugged and field-portable.
The 5500 Series FTIR instruments are controlled using an external
computer running a Microsoft® Windows® XP (32- or 64-bit) or
Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit) operating system. The computer must have
at least a Pentium® IV 3 GHz processor with 1 GB of memory and at
least 40 GB hard disk capacity. The laptop computer is offered as an
option, which provides the flexibility of supplying it yourself or
purchasing from Agilent.
The 5500 FTIR system is available in a number of different sampling
configurations to accommodate the analysis of a range of liquids,
powders, pastes and gels. The optimal use of the various
configurations of the 5500 FTIR system are:
Agilent 5500t FTIR TumblIR System: For the rapid chemical
analysis of liquids under ambient conditions.
Agilent 5500a FTIR ATR System: For the chemical analysis of
liquids, powders, pastes and gels. The attenuated total
reflectance (ATR) system is available in single reflection (most
common), three reflection and nine reflection versions. The nine
reflection version has an optional flowcell configuration.
The Agilent 5500 DialPath FTIR is for the rapid chemical analysis of
liquids under ambient conditions that require multiple pathlengths.

Introduction
Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual 7
The 5500t FTIR system is a TumblIR liquid cell accessory-based
instrument specifically designed for onsite oil analysis. This system is
an ideal tool for oil analysis of diesel generators, wind farms, off-
shore applications or marine applications.
Both systems are equipped with a software user interface that is
intuitive, simple to use and requires no specialized technical training.
With the touch of a button, the system provides valuable information
about the identity and amount of chemical substances present in a
material.

Introduction
8 Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual
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Getting Started
Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual 9
2. Getting Started
Unpacking 9
Connecting power 11
Connecting the computer 14
Turning on the instrument 15
Starting the software 16
Performance verification 17
Unpacking
To unpack your spectrometer system:
1After receiving the Agilent 5500 Series FTIR delivery, do not
immediately open the shipping container. Instead, place the
shipment in a room-temperature environment and allow several
hours for the contents of the container to reach the room
ambient temperature. This is to avoid unnecessary condensation
on the components prior to the initial setup and installation
process.
2The shipping enclosure should contain the items listed below.
Inspect the enclosure closely to make sure all items have been
removed from the shipment packaging. Also ensure that all the
items in the packing list below have arrived undamaged and are
in good working condition. Contact Agilent immediately if any
items are found to be missing in shipment or damaged.
NOTE Keep all original packing material for storing, shipping and transporting the
system in the future.

Getting Started
10 Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual
3Remove the 5500 Series FTIR system from its shipping case and
place it on a flat, stable surface. The instrument must be kept
away from hot surfaces and any sources of electromagnetic
interference.
Agilent 5500t FTIR packing list
One Agilent 5500t FTIR mid-IR spectrometer system, including
TumblIR sampling accessory
One Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual
One power cord
One USB cable
One installation disk
One shipping container
Options
Although the spectrometer system comes standard as shown above,
there are a number of options available, including:
Laptop computer
Surfactant kit
Extra cords
Agilent 5500a FTIR packing list
One Agilent 5500a FTIR mid-IR spectrometer system, including
appropriate sampling accessory
One Agilent 5500 Series FTIR Operation Manual
One power cord
One USB cable
One installation disk
One shipping container