Sorvall WX 100 Ultra, Instruction Manual, Page: 31 / 131

Operation
Basic operating procedure
Thermo Scientific WX Ultra Series 2-15
Zonal operation
Zonal operation is a mode of operation using a zonal rotor or continuous flow rotor for density
gradient centrifugation with large amounts of sample or continuous sedimentation of particles from a
large volume sample.
The following zonal rotors are available for operation in the Sorvall WX Ultra series ultracentrifuges:
TZ-28 sealed zonal rotor
TCF-32 continuous flow zonal rotor
The TZ-28 can only be operated in a sealed zonal mode. Dynamic loading/unloading or continuous
flow operation
IS NOT allowed.
The TCF-32 zonal rotor can be operated in a continuous flow mode requiring dynamic loading and
unloading. The rotor comes with a kit to modify the Sorvall WX Ultra series.
The continuous flow zonal operation consists of the following three stages:
1. Centrifugation at low speed, called the zonal speed *, the gradient or sample being loaded in this stage.
2. Acceleration to set speed and separation of the sample, or
3. Centrifugation at zonal speed, the sample and or gradient being unloaded in this stage.
Figure 2-8
Zonal operation mode
* Zonal speed: The zonal speed is one that is required for loading and unloading the sample.
The zonal speed is normally set at 3,000 rpm, but it can be set in the range from 2,000 to 3,000 rpm in
increments of 100 rpm to obtain the required speed. For details of how to change zonal speed, see
Section
User Customizations .
The following explains how to perform a zonal run.
* Zonal speed
Time
Speed
WARNING When operating the centrifuge with the door open and the rotor spinning,
eliminate all possibility of contact with the rotor. Remove any objects not essential to
operating procedures which could either catch on or drop into the spinning rotor (that is,
neckties, rings, bracelets, watches, long sleeves, or any loose articles in breast pockets).
Step Operation and keystrokes Unit operation and considerations
1 Install the zonal rotor on the drive spindle. >> See zonal rotor manual.
• The characters ZONAL
are displayed in the
message display field on
the screen and the zonal
operation mode is set.