RapidStill II
MODEL 65200
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Product designs are subject to change without notice
© 2002 Labconco Corporation
65441 REV. B / ECO A631
Printed in U.S.A.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Components Shipped 1
General Description 2
Performance 3
Component Identification 4
Installation 4
Location 10
Electrical Connection 10
Water Connection 10
Drain Connection 11
NaOH Pump Connection 11
Optional Water Inlet Kit 12
Rear View of Standard RapidStill II 13
Rear View of RapidStill II w/Optional Water Inlet Kit Installed 14
Safety Precautions 15
Normal Operation
Standard Operating Procedure 16
Routine Maintenance 17
Expendables 18
Cleaning 19
Servicing the RapidStill II
Fuse Replacement 20
Removing the Boiler 20
Heating Element Replacement 21
Condenser Extension Replacement 21
Timer Replacement 22
NaOH System Service 22
Replacement Parts 24
Dimensions 26
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Specifications 27
Wiring Diagram 28
Troubleshooting 29
References 31
Warranty 32
Shipping Claims 33
Accessories 34
Contacting Labconco 35
INTRODUCTION
Components Shipped
Carefully check the contents of the carton for damage that might have occurred in transit. Do not
discard the carton or packaging material until all components have been checked against the
following component list and the equipment has been installed and tested.
As shipped, the carton should contain the following:
Part Number Description
65200 RapidStill II
65441 Instruction Manual
Installation Kit (Contains hoses and fittings)
1
INTRODUCTION
General Description
The Labconco RapidStill II is designed specifically for the determination of macro concentrations
of nitrogen. The RapidStill II performs rapid steam distillation from sulfuric acid digest prepared
from nitrogen-bearing materials such as food products, feeds, grains, soils, plant tissue, wastewater
effluent, organic wastes, etc. Sample digestions are accomplished using Labconco’s Rapid
Digestor systems, described in the Accessories section of this manual.
Figure 1
2
INTRODUCTION
Performance
The RapidStill II produces steam by heating a 1 liter flask (boiler) with a 1200 watt heating
element. Activation of the heater, the addition of water to the boiler, and the addition of NaOH to
the sample are all controlled by switches on the front control panel of the unit. An electric timer
on the control panel allows the distillation time to be set from 0 to 15 minutes. Typical distillation
times range from 5 to 10 minutes.
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INTRODUCTION
Component Identification (Figure 2)
(1) Boiler Water Switch. This momentary contact switch fills the boiler with water. It is
interlocked to prevent its operation during the heating of the boiler. Water should
never be added to the boiler when it is hot and low on water (less than ¼ full) or dry.
Allow the boiler to cool before adding water.
(2) Boiler Heater Switch. The boiler heater switch activates the boiler heating element.
The Boiler Heater should never be turned on when the boiler is dry or low on water.
(3) NaOH Addition Switch. This momentary contact switch activates the NaOH pump to
pump caustic from a user-supplied vessel into the digestion tube. The switch is
interlocked to operate only when the boiler heater is on. At the end of every day, the
NaOH pump lines must be rinsed with purified water.
(4) Digestion Tube Clamping Device. The clamping device quickly and securely locates
the digestion tube against the connection stopper.
(5) Safety Door. The safety door surrounds the digestion tube and is designed to protect
the operator. The door should always be in the closed position during operation of the
RapidStill II.
(6) NaOH Delivery Tube. This tube is used to dispense the user-supplied caustic directly
into the digestion tube.
(7) Connection Stopper. The Viton* stopper located on the bottom of the distribution
head seals the digestion tube to the head. The connection stopper should be inspected
and cleaned after every operating session of the unit.
(8) Distribution Head. This distribution head acts as a junction for the steam and NaOH
delivery tubes. The central part of the distribution head acts as a trap by preventing the
NaOH from entering the receiving flask.
(9) Steam Inlet Tube. The steam inlet tube is PTFE (Teflon*) and dispenses steam
directly into the digestion tube.
*Viton is a registered trademark of E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.
*Teflon is a registered trademark of E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.
4
Component Identification
INTRODUCTION
Figure 2
5
INTRODUCTION
Component Identification (Figure 3)
(10) Condenser Extension. The condenser extension is a replaceable glassware fitting that
connects the condenser and distribution head.
(11) Condenser. The RapidStill II is equipped with a combined Allihn and spiral condenser
for efficient recovery of the distillate.
(12) Ventilation Valve. The ventilation valve prevents the distillate from being aspirated
back into the condenser after the distillation is completed. If the valve sticks closed,
remove it and wash out any material accumulated inside the valve.
(13) Safety Screen. The plastic safety screen is designed to protect the operator. The screen
should always be in the closed position during operation of the RapidStill II.
(14) Boiler Viewing Slot. Looking through this slot the operator can easily inspect the water
level in the boiler. Low and high water level marks are on the boiler flask to ease the
inspection and addition operations.
(15) Distillate Outlet Tube. This tube carries distillate from the condenser to the solution in
the receiving flask. The bulb of the tube must be totally immersed in the receiving
solution.
(16) Distillation Timer Switch. The infinitely adjustable 0-15 minute timer controls the
dispensing of steam into the digestion tube. It is interlocked to function only when the
boiler heater is on. As an additional safety measure, NaOH cannot be dispensed into
the digestion tube when the timer is in operation.
(17) Spillage Tray. The spillage tray is designed to collect spilled reagents and overflow.
The tray is removable and may be cleaned with ordinary soap and water.
6
Component Identification
INTRODUCTION
Figure 3
7
INTRODUCTION
Component Identification (Figure 4)
(18) Heater Cup Assembly. The heater cup assembly consists of the heater cup to support
the boiler, and the heating element itself.
(19) Boiler. The 1 liter boiler contains the boiling water that is the source of steam for the
distillation.
(20) Water Fill Valve. The valve dispenses water into the boiler when it is energized. The
inlet of the valve is equipped with a filter screen, to prevent fouling with particulate
matter.
(21) Plastic Check Valves. These valves function as vacuum breaks, preventing negative
pressurization of the system after it is shut off.
(22) Steam Control Valve. The steam control valve directs steam from the boiler to the
drain pipe during standby, or the steam delivery tube during distillation. The valve is
controlled by the timer switch.
(23) Drain Pipe. The drain pipe acts as a condenser for the steam not used in the distillation
and as a drain for the condenser cooling water. DO NOT restrict the discharge from the
drain pipe or its hose. The RapidStill II may be damaged by high water pressure.
(24) Flow Restrictor. The flow restrictor prevents the cooling water flow rate from
exceeding 1.0 gallon per minute. This minimizes water usage and prevents damage to
the unit.
(25) NaOH Pump. The peristaltic pump dispenses a user-supplied caustic solution from its
container directly into the digestion tube. The pump inlet and outlet are equipped with
quick connects to reduce the possibility of spillage during maintenance. The pump
must be rinsed with purified water at the end of every work day to prevent damage to
the pump or its fittings.
(26) Water Inlet Fitting. The water inlet fitting is a push-on style fitting designed to
connect tot the feed water line supplied in the installation kit.
(27) Electrical Connector. The electrical connector mates with the power cord supplied in
the installation kit.
(28) Fuse. The 15 amp fuse protects the RapidStill II from an electrical overload. Replace
this fuse with the appropriate replacement part. NEVER attempt to install a fuse with a
higher amperage rating.
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