How to Run the CASPiE GCMS

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Joshua Price
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1 How to Run the CASPiE GCMS A GCMS (gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer) can be used to separate and identify complex mixtures. You will use the CASPiE GCMS to acquire the mass spectrum of your anitviral drug candidate. Please Note: DO NOT make any changes to the instrument that are not instructed in this document. Others will use the instrument after you. Be courteous to your fellow students and leave them a usable instrument! Important Note: You must have the Citrix client installed on your computer to proceed! 1

2 Load the CASPiE Instrument Site To open the GCMS remote control software launch your web browser and navigate to the CASPiE instrument website at Enter your account information to login. 2

3 The GCMS Control Software The software used to control the GCMS instrument is called GCMS Remote Control. You will only have access to the GCMS instrument for remote control during your scheduled hours. You will also see the icon for GCMS data processing. You will always have access to the GCMS data processing software during a CASPiE module. 3

4 The GCMS Camera While you are using the GCMS you can view the actual instrument live via an internet camera. (Note that Java is required for loading the camera image.) The camera is accessed via the link labeled View Instruments next to the camera icon. When you click the link another browser window will open. 4

Note that the same camera is used for two different instruments.

5 The GCMS Camera In the Instrument Cameras Available browser window (a) click on the Shimadzu GCMS QP-2010 & GC QP link to load the camera image. Note that the same camera is used for two different instruments. To control the camera position click on the Start Control button (b). You may have to click it twice. (a) (b) (b) 5

6 The GCMS Camera Presets When you have control of the camera there will be a green countdown clock above the Start Control button. Click on the - select camera presets drop down and select one of the presets to move the camera to a different position. Only preset positions are available for viewing. The GC/FID presets are for a different instrument. The GCMS presets are the ones you can use to view the CASPiE GCMS. 6

click once on the GCMS Remote Control icon.

7 Launch the GCMS Remote Control Software To launch the GCMS control software go back to the CASPiE Web Interface browser window (a) and click once on the GCMS Remote Control icon. A login window will appear (b). Use the user ID Student. No password is required. (a) (b) 7

The monitor settings will change as the sample runs to reflect the current state of the instrument.

8 Instrument Monitor The status of the instrument is displayed in the instrument monitor on the right side of the screen. When the instrument is ready for a run the GC and MS status bars will be green and say ready. The monitor settings will change as the sample runs to reflect the current state of the instrument. The pressure and oven temperature in particular will change as the sample runs. Status Bars He Pressure and Flow Heated Zone Settings: SPL1 = Injector Oven = Column I/F = Interface to MS IonSrc = Ion Source Vacuum Level 8

9 Open Method File Open the method file by selecting File Open Method File (a). Select the Antiviral.gcm file and open it (b). The method file contains all the instrument settings necessary to run your sample. (a) (b) 9

10 Download Instrument Parameters Download the information in the method to the instrument by selecting Acquisition Download Instrument Parameters (a). The appropriate instrument parameters will be set. (b). (a) (b) 10

11 Sample Login Click on the Sample Login icon located on the left side of the screen (a). The Sample Login window will open (b). (a) (b) 11

12 Select Tuning File Click on the file open icon to the right of the Tuning File box (a). Select the only file available in the window (b). It will have a different name than shown below. (a) (b) 12

13 Complete Sample Login Window Enter a sample name (1), sample ID (2), and data file name (3) of your choosing. Enter the vial number where you or your instructor placed your vial in the autosampler tray (4). You must know where your sample is and enter the correct location. CASPiE lab staff do not have this information! Keep the default values for the injection volume and multiple injection times. Do not change these. Double-check your entries then click OK. 13

Click on the green start icon to begin the run (b).

14 Instrument Standby, Start Run Click on the Standby icon (a). When the start icon turns green the instrument is ready. Click on the green start icon to begin the run (b). After the run is started the instrument will take a few seconds to prepare the sample for injection. (a) (b) 14

15 Run Start After the sample is injected, the GC and MS status bars will be blue, and read Run. The retention time status will reflect the elapsed time after injection. Data collection will start after 2 minutes. Please be patient. Run Time Status 15

16 Acquisition Window The chromatogram window will display the real time progress of the run. The mass spectrum window will display the mass spectrum at any given time. During the run you can use the scaling tools shown to increase or decrease the scale. Chromatogram Window scaling tools Mass Spectrum Window 16

17 Data Collection After 2 minutes the data are displayed in the window. It will take 9 minutes to finish data collection. An example data collection is shown here. (1) (3) (2) 17

18 Run Complete At the end of the run the status will read not ready as the instrument returns to the start settings. The data file will be saved automatically to your CASPiE file folder. 18

19 Close Application You will not be able to process your data with the GCMS remote control program. Data processing is done with another application that is not attached to the instrument. Instructions for data processing will be available from your instructor and on the CASPiE website. Exit the GCMS Real Time Analysis (remote control) software. 19

Agilent GC/MSD Instructions

Agilent GC/MSD Instructions GC/MS SAMPLE PREPARATION: Sample Components to Avoid Completely: The following should never be injected: metals, strong acids or bases, salts, oligomeric and polymeric material.