Document 4400Q902 version 1.02
Page 14 of 18
RX2000 User Manual
3 OPERATION
3.1
Instrument set-up
3.1.1 Positioning the mixing unit and the DuoCell
It is important that the RX2000 mixing unit is placed on a firm horizontal surface next to the spectrometer. Such
an arrangement will facilitate making a smooth drive and avoid placing strain on the DuoCell assembly.
Before operating the RX2000 make sure that the DuoCell is correctly positioned and secured in the cell holder.
Position the DuoCell in the spectrometer cuvette holder with the correct orientation for the desired pathlength (2
or 10 mm depending on orientation).
3.1.2 Temperature control
If constant temperature operation is required, first fill the thermostat bath with water (or whatever medium is to be
circulated) and then connect the inlet and outlet ports to a constant temperature laboratory circulator (the inlet
port is the one located closer to the base).
The temperature of the RX2000 is set by the fluid circulator. For guidance on the use of the circulator, see the
User Manuals provided by the supplier.
To display the temperature of the RX2000 bath, press the
ON
button.
3.1.3 Trigger signal
At the end of a stopped-flow drive, the stopping syringe piston causes the trigger microswitch contacts to close
and this is used to trigger data acquisition by the spectrometer. The trigger cable should be connected to the DIN
socket on the RX2000 and the GP-IO connector on the spectrometer. It will be necessary to activate external
triggering of the spectrometer in the control software before using the RX2000.
3.2
Operation using the manual drive
The following step-by-step procedure describes the use of the syringes and the various valves during reagent
loading, flowline flushing and stopped-flow drives.
1.
Attach the waste reservoir syringe (complete with piston) to the Luer receptacle on the valve adjacent to
the stopping syringe.
2.
The reservoir syringes can be used with or without pistons as preferred. Generally it is more convenient
to fit the barrels of the reservoir syringes to the reagent inlet ports with the pistons removed.
3.
Set the main valves to the loading position (i.e. with each valve top pointing towards the left outside edge
of the thermostat bath) and push the drive syringe pistons fully forward.
4.
Set the exhaust valve to the fully closed position - indicator arrows pointing downwards and to the right
(i.e. away from the stopping syringe and waste reservoir syringe).
5.
Pour the appropriate reagents into the reservoirs.
6.
Load the drive syringes by pulling back the drive syringe pistons.
7.
Set the main valves to the drive position (i.e. with each valve top in line with its drive syringe).
8.
Set the exhaust valve open to the waste reservoir syringe - indicator arrows pointing upwards and to the
right.
9.
Push the drive syringe pistons fully forward to flush out the flow lines.
10.
Check to see if any air bubbles are trapped in the drive syringe or in the DuoCell and repeat the flushing
procedure if necessary.
