[DIYbio] Firing up a mass spec

Hi all,

I just stumbled upon a PE Sciex API 150EX single quadrupole mass spec
and am in the process of getting it running. I have some questions
that I think anyone familiar with mass specs may be able to answer:

1. It has separate pump connectors for a "backing pump" and "interface
pump". Can I use a single vacuum pump connected to both connectors?

2. Planning to just get a gas cylinder for the nitrogen UHP curtain
gas, but it also requires "zero air" and "source exhaust air". Some
specs:

- "Zero air is air that is clean, dry and oil-free. One line of zero
air must be supplied to the instrument at 100-105 psi for "gas 1" and
"gas 2" with flows of 22.5 L/min."
- "Source exhaust air needs to be oil-free and between 55 and 60 psi
with flows of 6 L/min. It is used to suck source waste out of the
instrument. Source exhaust air can be UHP nitrogen or zero air, but it
can also be oil-free air from a separate supply. If the gas is from a
separate supply, one line of oil-free air must be provided for the
instrument."

Where do I get zero air, can this be obtained from a compressor? Same
thing for source air - using zero air for it sounds cheaper than UHP
nitrogen, but maybe something even easier?

3. Source exhaust - the manual says: "During operation, solvent vapors
are exhausted from the ion source by the Source Exhaust Pump to a 1.27
cm ID barbed fitting at the rear of the instrument. These vapors pass
through a trap which then must be vented to a fume hood, or outside
port. The diameter o the trap exhaust port is 1.27 cm. It is the
responsibility of the customer to provide the proper plumbing from
this trap to the ventilation point.". I found the barbed fitting, but
not sure what I need to do. Just run a tube to the outside, or install
some sort of trap? What would that be?

4. I need to get a roughing pump (or 2) but the manual doesn't say
anything about the requirements of such pumps. Any suggestions on what
is required?

Thanks,

-Josh

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