Processing of Samples
Warning
- remember high temperatures are dangerous. The heater, insert blocks, sample
vessels, needles and samples may be very hot. Always take the precautions listed earlier in this manual.
1. By turning the carriage handle, on the right hand side, counter clockwise raise the gas chamber to take the
needles well away from the heater.
2. Place the sample vessels in the insert blocks and lower the chamber so that the tips of the needles enter the
test tubes. Position them at the required height above the liquid surface.
3. Set the heater to the required temperature and adjust the gas flow to the desired rate. Remember not to
exceed 2 psi.
4. To increase the rate of concentration the chamber may be lowered as evaporation takes place so that the
needles follow the level of the samples in the tubes. Using the scale on the column fine adjustments are easily
made.
5. On completion switch off the gas flow and raise the chamber out of the way.
6. For operation of the Dri-Block
®
see the user's manual supplied separately.
Maintenance
Cleaning and care
With proper care and operation, the equipment should give reliable service, however contamination or general
misuse may reduce the effective life of the product and could cause a hazard.
Preventative maintenance should include keeping the product clean by protecting it from spillage, contamination
or corrosive environments. If in doubt, please confirm that any intended method of decontamination will not
damage the equipment by contacting Cole-Parmer.
Your Sample Concentrator can be cleaned by wiping with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Ethanol and
formaldehyde may also be used.
NOTE:
Do not use solvents or abrasive cleaners for cleaning any parts of this equipment.
Carriage friction
Height adjustment is by means of a friction drive. To allow for wear the friction pressure may be increased by
tightening the 4 screws on the rear of the carriage sufficiently to give adequate grip. Ensure that all four are
tightened equally.
Replacing Sealing Pad
After many repeated needle insertions the self sealing property of the sealing pad may start to degrade.
Spare pads can be obtained from your supplier or from Techne. Replacing the pad is simply accomplished as follows:
v
Remove the gas chamber from the carriage, disconnect the gas pipe and place upside down on a
suitable work surface.
v
Remove the four screws securing the matrix plate.
v
Lift off the matrix plate.
v
Lift off the sealing pad. Ensure that the support strip underneath the sealing pad remains in place.
v
Replace the sealing pad with the new one. Reassembly is the reverse of the above procedure.
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