Hi Paul,

How often do you change the tube?  I routinely replace the tube every 
day, and it only sticks occassionally.  When it sticks I gently 
wriggle it a bit and it has always come loose.  When the tube is 
cool, I pull out the old ash and then use a wire brush to scrape the 
inside as clean as I can.  Also I clean out the slits with the flat 
end of a small spatula (carefully - this can break the tube easily if 
you're not careful and if the tube has been used quite a while).  So 
far, this has worked well.

Lola.





.





At 10:03 AM 2/26/2009, you wrote:
>Listmembers,
>
>I've been having trouble with ash tubes from our EA breaking lately.
>
>We use Elemental Microanalysis C1090, which is open both ends and 
>has slits on the bottom half. I have a small bit of quartz wool at 
>the bottom of the tube, and at the top of the reactor. Typically, 
>the tube is stuck when I try to remove it, and breaks near the top 
>of the ash level when I force it. This occurs regardless of whether 
>I am at full temperature or standby temperature, and I have had the 
>same trouble with tubes that are closed at the bottom.
>
>My best guess is that the slag is seeping through the slits and 
>fusing to the reactor tube. Does anyone have any applicable wisdom?
>
>I'm considering the vacuum removal method at this point....
>
>Paul Eby
>University of Victoria