Waters ACQUITY RDa Operating manual

ACQUITY RDa Detector
Overview and Maintenance Guide
715005003
Version 04 (Previously released as Revision C)
Copyright © Waters Corporation 2021
All rights reserved

General information
Copyright notice
© 2021 WATERS CORPORATION. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND IN
IRELAND. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DOCUMENT OR PARTS THEREOF MAY NOT BE
REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed
as a commitment by Waters Corporation. Waters Corporation assumes no responsibility for any
errors that may appear in this document. This document is believed to be complete and accurate
at the time of publication. In no event shall Waters Corporation be liable for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with, or arising from, its use. For the most recent revision
of this document, consult the Waters website (www.waters.com).
Trademarks
ACQUITY™ is a trademark of Waters Corporation.
RDa™ is a trademark of Waters Corporation.
THE SCIENCE OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE™ is a trademark of Waters Corporation.
UNIFI™ is a trademark of Waters Corporation.
Victrex PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex PLC.
Viton® is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Elastomers LLC.
Waters™ is a trademark of Waters Corporation.
waters_connect™ is a trademark of Waters Corporation.
Waters Quality Parts™ is a trademark of Waters Corporation.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Customer comments
Waters’ Customer Experience and Knowledge Management organization invites you to report
any errors that you encounter in this document or to suggest ideas for otherwise improving it.
Help us better understand what you expect from our documentation so that we can continuously
improve its accuracy and usability.
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We seriously consider every customer comment we receive. You can reach us at
[email protected].
Contacting Waters
Contact Waters with enhancement requests or technical questions regarding the use,
transportation, removal, or disposal of any Waters product. You can reach us via the Internet,
telephone, fax, or conventional mail.
Contact method Information
www.waters.com The Waters website includes contact
information for Waters locations worldwide.
iRequest Request technical support for your Waters
instruments and software. iRequest is a free
and secure Web service that allows you to
obtain quick answers from our online
Knowledge Base, request support and service
for Waters instruments and software, or
schedule a planned service activity.
Note: In areas managed by authorized
distributors, iRequest may not be available.
Contact your local distributor for more
information.
Telephone and fax From the USA or Canada, phone
800-252-4752 or fax [phone].
For other locations worldwide, phone and fax
numbers appear in the Waters Local Offices
information.
Conventional mail Waters Corporation
Global Support Services
34 Maple Street
Milford, MA 01757
USA
Legal manufacturer
Waters Corporation
34 Maple Street
Milford, MA 01757
USA
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Safety considerations
Some reagents and samples used with Waters instruments and devices can pose chemical,
biological, or radiological hazards (or any combination thereof). You must know the potentially
hazardous effects of all substances you work with. Always follow Good Laboratory Practice
(GLP), and consult your organization’s standard operating procedures as well as your local
requirements for safety.
Safety hazard symbol notice
The symbol indicates a potential hazard. Consult the documentation for important
information about the hazard and the appropriate measures to prevent and control the hazard.
Considerations specific to the device
Power cord replacement hazard
Warning: To avoid electric shock, observe these precautions:
• The power cord functions as the safety disconnect device. Position the equipment
so that you can reach the power cord easily.
• Use SVT-type power cords in the United States and HAR-type power cords, or
better, in Europe. For requirements elsewhere, contact your local Waters distributor.
• Do not replace power cords with inadequately rated power cords.
• Inspect the power cords for damage and replace them if necessary.
• Connect each module of a system to a common ground.
• Power-off and unplug a system module or stand-alone device before performing
any maintenance operation on it.
Flammable solvents hazard
Warning: To prevent the ignition of flammable solvent vapors in the enclosed space of
a mass spectrometer’s ion source, ensure that these conditions are met:
• Nitrogen flows continuously through the source.
• A gas-fail device is installed to interrupt the flow of LC solvent should the nitrogen
supply fail.
• The nitrogen supply pressure does not fall below 400 kPa (4 bar, 58 psi) during an
analysis requiring the use of flammable solvents.
The gas-fail device for the RDa Detector is the Stop Flow cable connected to the LC. If the
nitrogen pressure falls below 400 kPa (4 bar, 58 psi), the instrument sends a stop-flow signal to
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the LC. You must connect the Stop Flow cable to the LC correctly so that if the gas supply fails,
solvent does not flood the mass spectrometer's source and damage the device.
High temperature hazard
Warning: To avoid burn injuries, exercise care when handling the components of the
source enclosure heated to high temperatures. Wait until the hot components have
sufficiently cooled before you handle them.
Mass detector high temperature hazard
Source components
Source enclosure
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High-voltage hazard
Warning: To avoid electric shock, observe these precautions:
• Do not remove the mass spectrometer’s protective panels. The components they
cover are not user-serviceable.
• When the instrument is in Operate mode, avoid touching the areas marked with the
high voltage warning symbol. To touch external areas marked with the symbol, first
put the instrument in Power Save mode.
Hazards associated with removing an instrument from service
Warning: To avoid personal contamination with biologically hazardous, toxic, and corrosive
materials, wear chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves when performing this procedure.
When you remove the instrument from use to repair or dispose of it, you must decontaminate all
of its vacuum areas. These are the areas in which you can expect to encounter the highest levels
of contamination:
• Source interior
• Waste tubing
• Exhaust system
• Rotary pump oil (where applicable)
The need to decontaminate other vacuum areas of the instrument depends on the kinds of
samples the instrument analyzed and their levels of concentration. Do not dispose of the
instrument or return it to Waters for repair until the authority responsible for approving its removal
from the premises specifies the extent of decontamination required and the level of residual
contamination permissible. That authority must also prescribe the method of decontamination to
be used and the appropriate protection for personnel undertaking the decontamination process.
To avoid contamination by carcinogens, toxic substances, or biohazards, you must wear
chemical-resistant gloves when handling or disposing of used oil.
Bottle placement prohibition
Warning: To avoid injury from electrical shock or fire, and damage to the equipment, follow
these guidelines:
• Do not expose the workstation or ancillary equipment to dripping or splashing liquids.
• Do not place objects filled with liquid, such as solvent bottles, on top of the workstation or
ancillary equipment.
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Electrical power safety notice
Do not position the device so that it is difficult to disconnect the power cord.
Equipment misuse notice
If equipment is used in a manner not specified by its manufacturer, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired.
Safety advisories
Consult the "Safety advisories" appendix in this publication for a comprehensive list of warning
advisories and notices.
Operating the device
When operating the device, follow standard quality-control (QC) procedures and the guidelines
presented in this section.
Applicable symbols
The following symbols can be present on the device, system, or packaging.
Symbol Definition
Manufacturer
Date of manufacture
Confirms that a manufactured product complies
with all applicable European Community
directives
UK Conformity Assessed marking confirms that
a manufactured product is in conformity with
the applicable requirements for products sold
within Great Britain
Australia EMC compliant
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Symbol Definition
Confirms that a manufactured product complies
with all applicable United States and Canadian
safety requirements
Environmentally friendly use period (China
RoHS): indicates the number of years from the
date of manufacture until the product, or
components within the product, are likely to be
discarded or degrade into the environment
Consult instructions for use
Alternating current
Electrical and electronic equipment with this
symbol may contain hazardous substances and
should not be disposed of as general waste
For compliance with the Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)
2012/19/EU, contact Waters Corporation for the
correct disposal and recycling instructions
For indoor use only
No pushing
10kg
max
Indicates the maximum load you can place on
that item (for example, 10kg)
Serial number
REF
Part number, catalog number
Audience and purpose
This guide is for novice users and assumes no knowledge of liquid chromatography or mass
spectrometry principles. It provides an overview of the instrument and explains how to install it,
prepare it for operation, and maintain it.
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Intended use of the ACQUITY RDa Detector
The ACQUITY RDa Detector is a time-of-flight mass detector with an ESI source, and is intended
for use as an analytical tool. It provides accurate mass data with minimal interaction from the
user. The LC/MS ESI instrument is not intended for use in diagnostic applications.
Calibrating
When calibrating mass spectrometers, consult the instrument’s online Help system for calibration
instructions.
Quality control
Routinely run three QC samples that represent subnormal, normal, and above-normal levels of a
compound. If sample trays are the same or very similar, vary the location of the QC samples in
the trays. Ensure that QC sample results fall within an acceptable range, and evaluate precision
from day to day and run to run. Data collected when QC samples are out of range might not be
valid. Do not report these data until you are certain that the instrument performs satisfactorily.
EMC considerations
FCC radiation emissions notice
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance, could
void the user's authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Canada spectrum management emissions notice
This class A digital product apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-001.
ISM classification: ISM group 1 class A
This classification was assigned in accordance with CISPR 11 Industrial Scientific and Medical
(ISM) instruments requirements.
Group 1 products apply to intentionally generated and/or used conductively coupled radio-
frequency energy that is necessary for the internal functioning of the equipment.
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Class A products are suitable for use in all establishments other than residential locations and
those directly connected to a low-voltage power supply network supplying a building for domestic
purposes.
There may be potential difficulties in ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in other environments
due to conducted and radiated disturbances.
This equipment complies with the emission and immunity requirements described in the relevant
parts of IEC/EN 61326: Electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use —
EMC requirements.
EMC emissions
Do not use the equipment in close proximity to sources of strong electromagnetic radiation (for
example, unshielded intentional RF sources). The radiation can interfere with the equipment’s
proper operation.
Safe disposal
Contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns regarding the proper handling or
disposal.
Dispose of Waters instrumentation products in accordance with applicable requirements and best
practices as described below.
• Follow appropriate procedures for flushing the instrument’s fluid paths of any hazardous
samples or solvents.
• Waters instruments are subject to European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directives. According
to these directives, do not dispose of instruments in the general waste stream. Similar “e-
waste” laws also apply in other jurisdictions. In all cases, ensure that a certified electronics
recycler processes end-of-life instruments.
• Some Waters instruments use batteries, mercury-containing lamps, or other replaceable
components during the life span of the instrument. Handle such materials in accordance with
local laws governing their processing and safe disposal.
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Table of contents
General information........................................................................................................ii
Copyright notice......................................................................................................................................ii
Trademarks.............................................................................................................................................ii
Customer comments...............................................................................................................................ii
Contacting Waters..................................................................................................................................iii
Legal manufacturer................................................................................................................................ iii
Safety considerations............................................................................................................................ iv
Safety hazard symbol notice........................................................................................................... iv
Considerations specific to the device..............................................................................................iv
Electrical power safety notice.........................................................................................................vii
Equipment misuse notice............................................................................................................... vii
Safety advisories............................................................................................................................ vii
Operating the device.............................................................................................................................vii
Applicable symbols.........................................................................................................................vii
Audience and purpose...................................................................................................................viii
Intended use of the ACQUITY RDa Detector..................................................................................ix
Calibrating....................................................................................................................................... ix
Quality control................................................................................................................................. ix
EMC considerations...............................................................................................................................ix
FCC radiation emissions notice.......................................................................................................ix
Canada spectrum management emissions notice.......................................................................... ix
ISM classification: ISM group 1 class A.......................................................................................... ix
EMC emissions................................................................................................................................ x
Safe disposal..........................................................................................................................................x
1 ACQUITY RDa Detector Overview............................................................................15
1.1 ACQUITY RDa Detector Front Panel Overview............................................................................. 16
1.2 Instrument display.......................................................................................................................... 17
1.3 Fluidics System.............................................................................................................................. 19
1.3.1 Fluidics system..................................................................................................................... 19
1.4 ACQUITY RDa Detector leak sensors........................................................................................... 20
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2 Preparing for operation.............................................................................................21
2.1 Software and data system..............................................................................................................21
2.1.1 Calibrating and tuning the instrument................................................................................... 21
2.1.2 Acquisition Modes.................................................................................................................23
2.1.3 ACQUITY RDa Detector health system................................................................................23
2.2 Leaving the instrument in Power Save mode.................................................................................25
2.3 Power-cycling the ACQUITY RDa Detector................................................................................... 25
3 Maintenance procedures.......................................................................................... 26
3.1 Maintenance schedule................................................................................................................... 26
3.2 Spare parts.....................................................................................................................................27
3.3 Replacing fuses..............................................................................................................................27
3.4 Safety and handling........................................................................................................................27
3.5 Preparing the instrument for working on the source.......................................................................28
3.6 Removing and refitting the source enclosure................................................................................. 28
3.6.1 Removing the source enclosure from the instrument........................................................... 28
3.6.2 Fitting the source enclosure to the instrument......................................................................30
3.7 Replacing or refitting the source enclosure O-ring......................................................................... 31
3.8 Replacing the aperture disc............................................................................................................32
3.9 Cleaning the source components...................................................................................................35
3.9.1 Removing the ion block and restrictor...................................................................................35
3.9.2 Cleaning the source components......................................................................................... 38
3.9.3 Refitting the source components.......................................................................................... 39
3.10 Cleaning the ion guide assembly................................................................................................. 40
3.10.1 Removing the ion guide assembly from the source assembly............................................40
3.10.2 Cleaning the differential aperture........................................................................................44
3.10.3 Cleaning the ion guide assembly........................................................................................45
3.10.4 Fitting the ion guide assembly to the instrument.................................................................46
3.11 Replacing the source enclosure................................................................................................... 50
3.12 Replacing the probe capillary assembly.......................................................................................52
3.13 Cleaning the exterior of the equipment........................................................................................ 55
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3.14 Replacing the air filters.................................................................................................................55
3.15 Replacing the leak sensor............................................................................................................ 57
3.16 Emptying the source exhaust trap bottle...................................................................................... 60
3.17 Maintaining the rotary backing pump's oil.................................................................................... 61
3.18 Replacing the rotary backing pump's filter elements....................................................................63
3.19 Replacing the fluidics tubing.........................................................................................................65
A Safety advisories.......................................................................................................66
A.1 Warning symbols............................................................................................................................66
A.1.1 Specific warnings..................................................................................................................67
A.2 Notices...........................................................................................................................................69
A.3 Bottles Prohibited symbol.............................................................................................................. 69
A.4 Required protection........................................................................................................................69
A.5 Warnings that apply to all Waters instruments and devices...........................................................70
A.6 Warnings that address the replacement of fuses...........................................................................74
A.7 Electrical symbols.......................................................................................................................... 75
A.8 Handling symbols...........................................................................................................................76
B Preparing the system for operation........................................................................ 78
B.1 Rear panel connections................................................................................................................. 78
B.2 Sample Inlet...................................................................................................................................78
B.3 Connecting the probe.....................................................................................................................78
B.4 Preparing the fluidics system......................................................................................................... 80
B.4.1 Installing the reservoir bottles...............................................................................................80
B.4.2 Purging the fluidics............................................................................................................... 81
B.5 Starting the instrument...................................................................................................................81
B.6 Divert valve flow rate considerations............................................................................................. 83
B.7 Stop flow........................................................................................................................................ 83
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C Specifications............................................................................................................85
C.1 Physical specifications...................................................................................................................85
C.2 Environmental specifications......................................................................................................... 85
C.3 Electrical specifications..................................................................................................................86
C.4 Input Output specifications............................................................................................................ 86
D External connections................................................................................................88
D.1 Mass detector: external wiring and vacuum connections.............................................................. 88
D.2 Connecting the Edwards oil-filled backing pump........................................................................... 90
D.2.1 Making the electrical connections to the rotary backing pump.............................................93
D.3 Connecting to the nitrogen gas supply.......................................................................................... 93
D.4 Connecting the source exhaust line...............................................................................................95
D.5 Connecting liquid waste lines........................................................................................................ 97
D.6 Electricity source..........................................................................................................................100
D.6.1 Connecting to a wall electricity source............................................................................... 100
D.6.2 Connecting to a cart's electricity source.............................................................................100
D.7 Connecting Ethernet cables (systems with ACQUITY LC).......................................................... 101
D.8 Input/output signal connectors.....................................................................................................102
D.8.1 Signal connections............................................................................................................. 103
E Materials of construction and compatible solvents.............................................105
E.1 Preventing contamination............................................................................................................ 105
E.2 Items exposed to solvents........................................................................................................... 105
E.3 Solvents used to prepare mobile phases.....................................................................................106
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1 ACQUITY RDa Detector Overview
The ACQUITY RDa Detector is a time-of-flight mass detector with an ESI source, and is intended
for use as an analytical tool. It provides accurate mass data with minimal user interaction.
The ACQUITY RDA Detector is a SmartMS-enabled mass detector with an automatic setup
routine that ensures consistent results and continuously monitors and maintains performance,
providing confidence in your data.
For optimum efficiency, the ACQUITY RDa Detector features self-diagnostic capabilities. If an
error occurs, instructions appear from within the software to help you perform corrective action, or
inform you that a Waters service engineer is required.
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1.1 ACQUITY RDa Detector Front Panel Overview
Figure 1–1: ACQUITY RDa with the instrument door closed
Instrument display Calibration reservoir
bottle
Wash reservoir bottle Air filter
Lock mass reservoir
bottle
Power button
Instrument door handle
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Figure 1–2: ACQUITY RDa with the instrument door open
Divert valve Leak sensor
Source Air filter
1.2 Instrument display
The symbols on the ACQUITY RDa Detector's front panel display the current operating status of
the system and its components:
• Initializing
• Ready
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• Running
• Check
• Call Service
The Initializing LED remains illuminated until instrument setup is complete. When the
instrument setup is complete, the status LED changes to Ready and the instrument is ready for
use.
If the instrument identifies a problem, the status changes to Check and an appropriate icon
illuminates. Instructions will then appear from within the software to help you perform corrective
action.
Figure 1–3: Instrument display
Fluidics Source
Cone Setup
Electronics Communications
Refill fluidics Gas
Exhaust Vacuum
Power button
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1.3 Fluidics System
1.3.1 Fluidics system
Prohibited: To avoid injuries from broken glass, falling objects, or exposure to toxic
substances, do not place containers directly on top of the instrument or on its front
covers. Instead, use the bottle tray.
The divert valve automatically controls the flow of the fluidics in the system, delivering sample
directly to the instrument's source in one of the following two ways:
• From the LC column
• From one of the three integral reservoir bottles:
• The lock mass reservoir, which has a capacity of 250 mL and is used for the lock mass
solution and instrument setup.
• The wash reservoir, which has a capacity of 125 mL and contains solvent for automated
flushing of the instrument’s solvent delivery system.
• The calibration reservoir, which has a capacity of 60 mL and is used during calibration.
The waste reservoir is normally a bottle stored under the instrument bench.
During normal operation, you must keep the instrument door closed.
The following figure shows the only configuration allowed for the divert valve.
Figure 1–4: Divert valve
Connection to the
probe capillary
assembly
Connection from the
LC outlet
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Connection to the
waste line
Connection to the
piston pump
Connection to the
calibration reservoir
bottle
Connection to the
wash reservoir bottle
Connection to the lock
mass reservoir bottle
Note: The divert valve has a total of seven ports, one of which connects to the RDa source via
the probe capillary assembly. The divert valve is fully automated to send the LC flow to either the
source or waste. The flow state function selects the position of the LC flow. When the fluidics are
operating, the flow state is set to waste as the LC flow is diverted to waste.
1.4 ACQUITY RDa Detector leak sensors
A leak sensor in the instrument’s drip tray continuously monitors for liquid leaks. If a leak occurs,
the instrument detects it and the software stops the LC flow to prevent the loss of sample and
any damage to the system. At the same time, the software displays an error message alerting
you that a leak has developed. Check that the divert valve connections from the sample bottles at
the front of the machine are not leaking. If they are, tighten the nuts to stop the leak, or replace
the leaking fitting.
To replace the leak sensor, see Replacing the leak sensor (Page 57).
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