TA Instruments Nano ITC Series, Getting Started Manual

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Nano ITC Getting Started Guide Page 33
Cleaning the Nano ITC
A scrupulously clean sample cell is essential in order to obtain meaningful titration data. Because the reac-
tion vessel is non-removable, the filling syringe may be used to repeatedly flush the cell. When a more rig-
orous cleaning is needed, the cleaning adapter (see the figure below) allows you to easily flush large
volumes of fluid through the cell. The Nano ITC Low Volume instrument is shipped with a cleaning tool
that features a shorter needle. In both the Low Volume and Standard Volume ITC instruments, inadequate
cleaning will result if the incorrect cleaning tools are used.
Figure 18 Cleaning adapter
The cell should be cleaned immediately following an experiment, then rinsed with buffer to condition it for
the next experiment. Fill the cells with pure deionized water between experiments to prevent contamina-
tion from drying the cell walls.
The cleaning tool is used as follows:
1 Ensure that the instrument temperature is adjusted to near ambient temperatures (20–30°C) before starting
the cleaning process.
2 Remove the buret assembly and syringe from the top opening of the Nano ITC, and withdraw the cell
contents using the filling syringe.
3 Carefully lower the shaft into the cell opening.
4 Connect the length of 1/16-inch I.D. Manosil silicone rubber tubing provided to the side port of the
cleaning tool, as seen in the figure below.
Figure 19 Tubing connected to cleaning tool.
5 Place the free end of this tube in a beaker of clean deionized or distilled water.
6 Connect another length of tubing to the top port leading to a vacuum flask which is connected to a
vacuum pump or the degassing station, set for cleaning.
7 Apply a vacuum to draw the water through the system and flush the cell.