6
Care and maintenance
N.B. Before commencing any maintenance, cleaning or fault
finding the equipment should be isolated from the
mains electricity supply. These operations should only
be carried out by suitably qualified personnel.
Only spare parts supplied or approved by Bibby Scientific Ltd or its
agent should be used. Fitting of non-approved parts may affect the
performance or safety of the equipment.
Cleaning
Over a period of operation scale will build up inside the boiler. To
obtain optimum performance this scale should be removed on a
regular basis.
Please note that scale can build up both in the neck and main
body of the boiling chamber.
The time span between cleaning depends greatly on the hardness of
the water and the amount of use. Frequently used stills in hard
water areas may need descaling once a week whereas in a soft
water area several weeks may elapse before descaling is necessary.
N.B. Heavy scaling will reduce distilled water quality and can
shorten the life of the heating element.
It is possible to descale the Distinction Water Still without
dismantling the glassware by following these instructions in
conjunction with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
regulations (COSHH) 1988:
1. Switch off the electricity supply to the still and allow it to cool
completely.
2. Turn off the cooling water supply.
3. Open the stopcock on the constant level control and allow the
boiler to drain completely. Close stopcock.
4. Turn on the cooling water supply and allow the boiler to fill to
approximately half way to its normal operating level. Turn off
the water supply.
5. Into the open funnel of the constant level control carefully add
about 100ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid.
WARNING!
ALWAYS HANDLE STRONG ACIDS WITH GREAT CARE.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, GLOVES AND FACE-MASKS
SHOULD BE WORN DURING THE DESCALING OPERATION.
REMOVE ANY ACID SPILLS IMMEDIATELY.
Turn on the water supply and fill the boiler to the normal
operating level. The water will flush the acid into the boiler. The
water supply should be turned off when the level in the boiler
is slightly below the overflow.
6. Leave the acid in the boiler to dissolve the scale. This may take
some time depending on the severity of the build-up.
7. Open the stopcock and allow the boiler to drain.
Note: If the acid in the boiler has not been completely
neutralised the liquid flowing to drain may be highly
acidic. All necessary safety precautions should be
observed around the drain and any effluent control
procedures followed.
8. Close the stopcock, turn on the water and allow the boiler to
fill with cold water. Turn off the water, re-open the stopcock
and allow the boiler to drain.
Repeat this procedure three times.
9. The Distinction Water Still may now be restarted by referring to
the instructions given under “Operation” in this manual.
Note:
The stand and outer surfaces of the glassware should be
cleaned using a damp cloth and a mild detergent solution.
Heater replacement*
1. Isolate the Still from the electricity supply.
2. Clean the heater and boiler if they are heavily scaled by
following the cleaning instructions given in this manual.
3. It will be found easier to replace the heater by working with
the boiler “on the bench”.
Therefore:
❖
Drain the boiler via the stopcock.
❖
Remove the end panel.
❖
Disconnect the heater cable.
❖
Disconnect all water hoses.
❖
Remove the condenser.
❖
Remove the boiler, complete with heater, from the stand.
❖
Unscrew the 3 bolts securing the heater and
withdraw the heater from the boiler.
❖
Remove the aluminium plate and silicone rubber
ring from the heater.
4. Now fit a new heater as described in assembly instruction
number 4.
N.B. Examine the silicone ring and replace if not in good
condition.
5. Re-assemble the Still by following the assembly instructions.
*Note:
Heater is
not
covered by the 3 year warranty.
It is only guaranteed for up to 1000 hours in use.
Summary of Contents for Distinction D4000
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