Environmental Express MicroBloc User Manual
MicroBlock™ Distillation System
Operation & Instruction Manual
MicroBlock-V
System with
Cyanide
Glassware
MicroBlock-R
System with
Ammonia
Glassware
Call 800.343.5319 or 843.881.6560 • www.environmentalexpress.com
Copyright Environmental Express, Inc, July 2013
MicroBlockTM: Operation and Instruction Manual Contents
Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for purchasing a
MicroBlock from Environmental
Express. We pride
ourselves on providing
innovative products
designed to improve
accuracy, efciency,
and safety in your
laboratory. Please take
some time to read your product
manual before using your MicroBlock.
As always, our Technical Sales
and Technical Support Teams are
available to assist with any questions
you have regarding our products.
Best Regards,
Contents:
General Information
Warranty 1
Safety Information 2
Getting Started
Parts Included 3
MICROBLOCK
TM
Glassware, Parts and Systems 4
Unpacking and Setup 5
Instrument Controls and Description 6
Wiring Diagram 7
Simplied Temperature Controller Instructions 8
Manual and Automatic Operation 9
MicroBlock™ Distillations:
Total Cyanide Method 10-12
Al Jurgela
Chief Executive Ofcer
Environmental Express, Inc.
Cyanide Glassware Illustration 10
Total Ammonia Method 13-14
Ammonia Glassware Illustration 13
Total Recoverable Phenolics 15-17
Phenolics Glassware Illustration 15
Troubleshooting 18
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MicroBlock™: Operation and Instruction Manual General Information
Limited Warranty
The MicroBlock from Environmental Express, Inc. is guaranteed to heat, hold temperature, and adequately perform
specied laboratory distillations for a period of one year from the date of shipment. This warranty extends to parts, labor, and
any approved transportation charges. This warranty applies only to damage or failure caused by normal laboratory use.
Environmental Express, Inc. makes no other warranty, expressed or implied for this product with respect to merchantability,
tness for a particular use or any other matter. Environmental Express, Inc. is not liable for any consequential or compensatory
damages arising from use of, or in conjunction with this product. The maximum liability shall be the invoice price of this
product.
Repair Policy
Under Warranty Repair
If the MicroBlock should fail to operate within the warranty period (one year from date of shipment) Environmental
Express, Inc. will repair and ship it back to the customer at our expense. The remainder of the warranty period will be honored
from the original ship date. Environmental Express, Inc. will bear the cost of ground transportation both to and from the
customer’s location, and bear the cost of any parts, labor and cleanup required.
However, if it is determined that the damage to the MicroBlock was caused by negligence or improper use, this warranty
will not apply. The warranty is also void if the system is used beyond its intended purpose or in the event of any unauthorized
repair. In such cases, reasonable and customary repair charges will apply. Repair charges will be quoted prior to work being
done.
Note: This warranty does not apply to any glassware associated with the MicroBlock.
Out of Warranty Repair
If the MicroBlock fails after the warranty period has lapsed, the repair procedure is as follows:
First, notify an Environmental Express, Inc. customer service representative of product’s failure and place an order for
repair. Whenever possible, our customer service technician will walk you through possible troubleshooting scenarios which may
enable you to repair your block on site.
If on-site repair is not possible, the customer may return the non-working unit to Environmental Express, Inc. using
appropriate shipping containers and insurance. Repair charges will be assessed and estimated prior to work being done.
Repair charges will include all freight costs as well as reasonable and customary charges for parts and labor. A loaner MicroBlock
MAY be available during the repair period. There are only a limited number of these units. A reasonable charge for “cleanup”
will be charged if a loaner is issued. The customer will be responsible for all shipping charges associated with a loaner unit.
800.745.8218 / 843.576.1147 / www.environmentalexpress.com Environmental Express • 1
MicroBlockTM: Operation and Instruction Manual General Information
MicroBlockTM Safety Information
1. The Environmental Express MicroBlock should be set up and operated in a chemical fume hood with a face
velocity of not less than 100 CFM.
2. Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suitable for use with caustic and corrosive materials.
3. Do not operate the MicroBlock in the vicinity of combustible material.
4. Be certain the MicroBlock power cord is properly grounded by consulting your in-house electrician.
5. During operation the surfaces around the heater assembly will get HOT. Do not touch the outer surface.
6. Do not move the MicroBlock system while hot.
7. Do not attempt to operate the MicroBlock system over 190°C.
8. Allow the MicroBlock to cool for 20 minutes before removing glassware. Separation of the “hot” glassware
components could result in bumping, boil over, and/or spraying of hot corrosive/caustic materials.
9. Review Material Safety Data Sheets for all materials used or generated during the operation of the MicroBlock.
Avoid breathing any vapors that may come off of the MicroBlock system, they may be harmful or fatal.
10. Water and vacuum (if used) should be continued until the MicroBlock has cooled down to prevent boil over. The
electric cord should be kept plugged into its outlet until the unit has cooled down.
11. If boil over does occur during operation of the MicroBlock operation, immediately wipe the system down with
neutralizing solution, such as a mild solution of sodium bicarbonate.
12. Unplug the MicroBlock from the outlet prior to cleaning exterior surfaces. Wipe with damp sponge or towel after
each use, rst with mild sodium bicarbonate or similar solution followed by Dl or distilled water. Avoid solutions
on or near the controls.
13. If a MicroBlock system with a vacuum is used, install an excess gas trap in the vacuum line to remove excess
vapors.
14. Use micro-porous boiling chips in each distillation ask to prevent bumping.
15. It is recommended that a tray or petri dishes be used under the drain outlets to catch any spills from boil over
and/or breakage.
Note: The above list contains some basic recommendations and safety precautions. By no measure
should this list be considered complete. More rigorous enhanced precautions may be necessary
while operating this equipment.
Please consult your Safety Manager and Material Safety Data Sheets prior to operating
this equipment.
Contact Environmental Express Inc. if there are any questions. User assumes all liability for
damages arising from the operation of this equipment.
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MicroBlockTM: Operation and Instruction Manual Getting Started
Parts Included
MICROBLOCK HEATING UNIT
Includes:
Heater Block, Temperature Controller with Timer, Fuse Holder with 15 amp Fuse, Flowmeter, Power Relay,
Fan with Thermostat, Water Manifold with Quick Disconnect Fittings, High Temperature Switch and
Glass Breakage Drain Outlets.
VACUUM FRONT SECTION
Includes:
(if purchased for cyanide operation) Vacuum Valves, Vacuum Barbs and Vacuum Manifold.
If purchased for ammonia/phenol/uoride operation only, vacuum components are not included.
MANUAL
Includes:
Operating Instructions with Wiring Diagram and Temperature Controller Operating Instructions.
COMPLETE TUBING SET
Includes:
20 Water Manifold-to-Cold Finger Tubes with Quick Disconnect ttings, 10 Reaction Flask-to-Absorption Impinger
Tubes (if cyanide glassware purchased), 10 Absorption Flask-to-Vacuum Tubes (if cyanide glassware purchased), 1
Manifold Water Inlet Tube, 1 Manifold Water Drain Tube and 1 Vacuum Tube (if cyanide glassware purchased).
GLASSWARE
Includes:
(if cyanide glassware purchased), 20 Reaction/Absorption Flasks, 10 Distillation Heads, 10 Cold Fingers and 10
Absorption Impingers. Includes (if Ammonia/Phenol/Fluoride glassware purchased), 10 Reaction Tubes, 10 Distillation
Heads, 10 Cold Fingers, 10 Receiver Tubes, 10 Ammonia Outlet Tubes and 10 Phenol/Fluoride Outlet Tubes.
BOILING CHIPS:
Includes:
A small sample of boiling chips, Environmental Express # C5249.
Parts Not Included
TRAY OR PETRI DISHES:
It is recommended that a tray or two petri dishes or equal be used under the drain outlets.
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StirBase: Operation and Instruction Manual Getting Started
MICROBLOCKTM Glassware and Parts
Item No. Description:
C5012 MicroBlcok-V Cyanide Reaction/Absorption Flask
C5012 MicroBlock-V Cyanide Reaction/Absorption Flask
C5210 Cold Finger for Distillation Glassware
C5212 Cyanide Glassware for MicroBlock, 1 Unit w/out tubing
C5213 Ammonia/Phenol Pierced Cap, 10pk
C5214 Ammonia/Phenol Glassware for MicroBlock
C5214B Ammonia/Phenol Reaction Tube
C5216 Cyanide Distillation Head, Style 2
C5217 Absorption Impinger for Cyanide
C5218 PTFE-Faced Septas for Distillation Cap, 20pk
C5219 Ammonia/Phenol Distillation Head
C5221 Tubing & Quick Connect Fittings for 10 Sets Cn Glass
C5222 Tubing & Quick Connect Fittings for 10 Sets Glassware
C5225 Silicon Sealing Ring, 10pk
C5226 Outlet Tube for Ammonia Distillation
C5227 Outlet Tube for Phenol
C5228 Receiver Tube for Ammonia/Phenol Distillation
C5229 Absorption Impinger
C5249 MicroBlock Carbon Boiling Chips, 8oz
C5253 Upgrade Heater Mat Replacement Kit for MicroBlock
C5257 Replacement Fan for Microblock
C5260 Female Quick Disconnect Body for Water Manifold, 2pk
C5261 MicroBlock-V Needle Valve
MICROBLOCKTM Ammonia/Phenol Systems
Item No. Description:
C5203 MicroBlcok-V System with 10 sets Penol/Ammonia Glassware
C5230 MicroBlock R w/ 10 sets Phenol/Ammonia Glassware
C5231 MicroBlock R, Block only
MICROBLOCKTM Cyanide Systems
Item No. Description:
C5200 MicroBlcok-V System with 10 sets Cyanide Glassware
C5200-240 MicroBlock R w/ 10 sets Cyanide Glassware, 240V
C5201 MicroBlock V, Block only
800.745.8218 / 843.576.1147 / www.environmentalexpress.com Environmental Express • 4
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