Mettler Toledo SC30 Operating Instructions Manual
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METTLER TOLEDO
SC30
Sample Delivery and Cleaning Unit
SC30
Operating Instructions
Table of contents
Introduction1 5
Safety Measure2 6
Layout of the Instrument3 7
Installing SC304 9
Operating of the SC unit5 23
Care and Maintenance6 32
Disposal 7 35
The Instrument3.1 7
Terminal3.2 8
Installing the Power Purge Unit (PPU)4.1 13
Sample Vials4.2 14
Connecting SC unit with the Density Meter (DM)4.3 16
Connecting the SC unit with the Refractometer (RM)4.4 17
4.5 19
4.6 21
Connecting the SC unit with the Density Module (DX) combined
with the Refractometer (RM)
Connecting the SC unit with the Refractive Index Modules (RX)
combined with the Density Meter (DM)
Registering the SC unit in the measuring instrument 5.1 23
Activating additional equipment5.2 23
Useful settings for the measuring instrument5.3 23
Setting up the SC unit5.4 24
Adjusting the measuring instrument5.5 26
Entering an Adjustment method in the measuring instrument5.5.1 26
Performing an adjustment5.5.2 27
Performing the Cell Test (with air) for the Density Meter5.6 28
Entering a measuring method5.7 28
Performing an Offline Cleaning5.7.1 28
Activating Automatic Error Detection5.7.2 28
Setting the Sampling Speed5.7.3 29
Running a pre-defined sample series5.8 29
Defining series5.8.1 30
Using viscosity correction5.8.2 30
Performing a instrument test with a known liquid standard5.8.3 31
Using error detection5.8.4 31
Daily Performance Check6.1 32
Periodic Performance Check6.2 33
Adjusting the Sampling Mechanism6.3 33
Error Messages and Malfunctions8 36
Technical Specifications9 37
Standard Equipment10 38
Connection tubes10.1 40
Optional Accessories11 41
Table of contents 3
1Introduction
The Sample Delivery and Cleaning Unit turns your METTLER TOLEDO Density Meter DM40 / DM45 DeltaRange /
DM50 or Refractometer (RM40 / RM50) or combined with the Refractive Index Modules (DM/RX) or Density
Modules (RM/DX) into a fully automated measuring system for the quality control of liquid samples.
Such a measuring system is capable of
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measuring series of samples as well as adjusting and checking the instrument automatically at the push of
a button.
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detecting measuring errors automatically or ruling them out in advance:
•
The samples are pushed and not aspirated (as is often the case in other systems) into the measuring
cell. In most cases this will exclude erroneous measurements due to air bubbles.
•
The sampling nozzle is completely cleaned and dried inside and out after each measurement, depending
on the sequence settings. Sample carryover can be safely ruled out.
•
Before measurement, the samples can be stored in sealable sample vials. The vials are opened by the
Sample Delivery and Cleaning Unit only just before the measurement takes place. A change in the sam
ple's properties due to evaporation or contamination is, therefore, not possible.
•
The most frequent sources of error in measuring refractive indices and densities are air bubbles, inhomo
geneous samples, solvent residues in the system, or scattered light caused by solid particles. These are
automatically recognized by the system and the user is warned accordingly.
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performing multiple measurements of the samples automatically, and directly displaying and printing the
mean and standard deviation of individual results.
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preventing permanent contamination of the measuring cell. The measuring system can be rinsed automati
cally with up to two solvents: the first solvent removes the sample; the second solvent is a solvent of high
vapor pressure in order to dry the entire system. Both solvents are mixed with air and pumped through the
system at high speed. The resulting pulsating flow causes a mechanical and thus very effective cleaning.
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fulfilling special requirements:
•
The SC unit is able to handle very highly viscous samples. The high pressure built up by the peristaltic
pump used to move the sample into the measuring cell and back into the vial makes it possible to mea
sure samples with a viscosity of up to 30'000 mPa·s.
•
The sampling speed of the SC unit may be adjusted very accurately. If small vials are used for the sam
ples it is possible to perform density or refractive index measurements of samples that are available in
small quantities only.
•
By equipping the SC unit with a highly corrosion resistant sampling nozzle made of Hastelloy (option),
the system is able to handle very aggressive samples such as concentrated hydrochloric acid.
•
The SC unit is able to handle samples which contain particulate material of a small grain size. If the grain
size exceeds 0.4 mm, however, the SC unit needs to be equipped with an external drain valve
(ME51327346).
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returning the samples to the vial after the measurements. This setting is a must when using the heated ver
sion, to ensure that the sample doesn’t leave the heated area (risk of solidification). The built-in sample
recovery function pushes the samples back into the vials after the measurements (the shortest and quickest
way to empty the cell!).
Thus, the SC unit helps you to reduce the workload associated with measuring densities and refractive indices,
to ensure reliable results and to increase safety in the workplace.
5Introduction
2Safety Measure
These instruments have been tested for the applications documented in the appropriate operating instructions.
However, that does not absolve you of the responsibility to check for yourself the suitability of the products sup
plied by us for the procedures and purposes for which you intend to use them. You should therefore observe the
following safety measures.
Measures for your protection
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Ensure that you plug the supplied power cable into a socket that is grounded! In the
absence of grounding, a technical fault could be lethal.
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Only use the power supply which was supplied with the device.
Risk of electric
shock
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Never work in an environment subject to explosion hazards! The housing of the
instrument is not gas tight (explosion hazard due to spark formation, corrosion
caused by the ingress of gases).
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Risk of explosion
Test highly combustible, poisonous or corrosive substances under an extractor
hood and follow the normal laboratory rules and precautions.
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Wear safety glasses and other items for personal safety (protective gloves and
clothing) when working with the equipment. The samples, the rinsing liquids and
the air are under pressure when working with the system. A splashing out of liquids
may therefore not be excluded.
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Be especially careful when measuring highly viscous samples. The overpressure
created in the vial during sampling may cause the sample to splash out if the sam
pling nozzle is quickly moved out of the membrane.
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Never work without having the protective cover mounted on the equipment. The
movable parts of the equipment may hurt you.
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When using chemicals and solvents, comply with the manufacturer's instructions
and the general lab safety rules!
Risk of corrosion
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If the instrument is not going to be used for a longer period of time, clean the diaphragm pump and tubing
connections by rinsing the instrument with water (for more information about rinsing the instrument, refer to
"Manual operation: Automation> Action: Rinse" in your Operating Instructions of your measuring instru
ment).
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We recommend storing the instrument in the cardboard box in which it was delivered.
Only have the instrument serviced by an authorized METTLER TOLEDO Service agent!
6 Safety Measure
3Layout of the Instrument
PPU
PPU IN
PPU
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METTLER TOLEDO
SC30
3.1The Instrument
SC30 Overview
A Peristaltic pump .
To build up the overpressure for sampling and sample recovery
B Protective cover
The cover protects the user from movable parts (sampling nozzle).
7Layout of the Instrument
C Sampling nozzle
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METTLER TOLEDO
D Rinsing liquid 1 (solvent capable of dissolving the samples, e.g., water)
E Rinsing liquid 2 (highly volatile solvent, e.g., acetone)
F Turntable for 30 samples
G Transportation pin for turntable
This pin is eccentric and allows adjustment of the turntable.
H Foot (height adjustable)
I Protective cover for power switch and ventilator
J Rinsing pot
This is where the sampling nozzle is cleaned and dried after the measurements.
K Potentiometer to adjust the sampling speed
L Air filter
M Power switch
To switch the SC30 and the connected instrument on and off.
O Terminal
P Desiccator
To dry the measuring cell and the tubing. After a measurement and before an adjustment air is
pumped through the system. This air is drawn in through the desiccator (filled with silica gel) and
thereby dried.
Q Power supply
Connect the power cable here. The instrument automatically adjusts to the mains voltage of your
country if this lies between 100 and 240 V.
R Power cable to connect the power supply of the measuring system.
T Serial interface
For connecting the measuring instrument with SC30.
V Connector for the waste tube
3.2Terminal
Buttons Description
Reset Stops all actions of the SC unit and aborts the running task on the main instrument
(emergency stop).
Setup The Setup menu is used to detect the SC unit at the measuring systemTo leave the "Set
up" menu, press Setup again.
Enter Confirms settings in the Setup dialog.
Selects the menu items in the "Setup" menu.
Step Rotates the turntable. If this key is pressed quickly, the turntable rotates one position
forwards (clockwise). If this key is pressed for more than 2 seconds, the turntable
rotates until position 1 is at the sampling position.
8 Layout of the Instrument
4Installing SC30
Enter
Setup
Reset
Step
METTLER TOLEDO
SC30
PPU IN
PPU
The Sample Delivery and Cleaning Unit can be connected to all METTLER TOLEDO Density Meters (DM40/
DM45 DeltaRange/ DM50 Density Meters) and Refractometers (RM40/ RM50).
In the following there are instructions for installing the SC unit and to connect it to your measuring instrument.
SC unit front view
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Put the protective cover (I) for the power switch and the ventilator in the designated holder.
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Put the turntable (F) on the SC unit.
Make sure that the transportation pin (G) is located in the oval hole of the turntable.
SC unit rear view
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Install the desiccator (P) on the SC unit.
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Connect SC unit with the provided power cable (Q).
The power cable R can be used to connect your measuring system (see below).
9Installing SC30
Rinsing
liquid 1
Rinsing
liquid 2
t1
t2
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t1 / t2
Prepare the rinsing liquids.
Fill one bottle (rinsing liquid 1) with a solvent capable of dissolving your samples (e.g., water if you are
measuring aqueous solutions) and the other (rinsing liquid 2) with a highly volatile solvent (e.g., acetone).
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Place the bottles in the holder.
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Push the tubes for the rinsing liquids (t1 and t2) through the bottle's covers and install the filters (a). Screw
the covers onto the bottles.
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Connect the tubes for the rinsing liquids to the SC unit (t1 to input "RINSE 1"; t2 to input "RINSE 2") and
screw them tight by hand.
10 Installing SC30
PPU IN
PPU
t6
SC pump compartment view
/
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Put an appropriate waste receptacle (e.g., a plastic canister, not included) under the lab table.
•
Put the screw and the plastic seal (ring) onto the thick waste tube (t10).
•
By hand, screw tube (t10) tightly onto the "DRAIN" connector.
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Place the other end of the tube in the waste receptacle.
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Caution! The waste receptacle may not be hermetically sealed! The air used for pumping and drying must
be able to escape unhindered!
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Place an empty vial in a position before the vial holder.
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Using the step key, position the vial just right of the sampling needle.
The sampling nozzle will not move when no vial is detected at this position!
Sampling nozzle
Prepare the sampling nozzle as follows:
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Switch on SC unit.
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Press the -key.
- The sampling nozzle is going up.
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Note: An audio-signal will sound if no vial is detected at the current position.
Press Reset as soon as the sampling nozzle is up between the rinsing pot and the turntable.
Completely screw the locknut (e) onto the tube (t5).
By hand, screw the tube (t5) clockwise into the sampling nozzle and tighten the locknut clockwise
Connect the other end of the tube (t5) to the "TO NOZZLE" port on the SC unit (see figure above: "SC pump
compartment view").
11Installing SC30
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By hand, tighten the connection well in the clockwise direction.
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Place the seal (c, a white Teflon washer) into the thread above the sampling nozzle. The system will leak if
that Teflon washer is missing!
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By hand, tighten the inlet tube of your measuring system (t3) on the sampling nozzle well in the clockwise
direction. Then tighten the locknut (d) well by hand in the clockwise direction.
Before the measurement the sampling nozzle is pressed onto the sample vial, and the sample vial is sealed
with a perfluoroelastomer seal. Air is pumped into the vial through a collar and the sample, due to the pressure
build up, is pressed into the measuring cell of the attached measuring instrument. If the sample recovery func
tion is activated, the sample is pushed back into the vial after the measurement. The sampling nozzle moves to
the rinsing pot where it is cleaned and dried inside and out.
Vial holder orientation
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The horizontal orientation of the sample vial holder is adjusted with 2 screws (x).
Adjust the turntable
1 Close a vial with a cap and put it onto the turntable one position before the sampling position.
2 Press Step on the SC unit.
The vial moves into the sampling position.
3 Press the -key.
The sampling nozzles moves to the vial.
4 Press Reset before the needle of the sampling nozzle touches the membrane of the vial.
5 Verify the correct adjustment of the turntable by repeating the steps a) to d) above for at least 2 vials.
Repeat the adjustment if necessary.
12 Installing SC30
z
Power Purge Unit㩷
y
t13
PPU IN
PPU
If the needle of the sample nozzle should not be in the center of the membrane, loosen the screw of the trans
portation pin (G) and turn it until the needle is located exactly in the center of the vial. Make sure not to touch
the turntable while adjusting it in order to avoid a faulty adjustment of the turntable due to the play of its drive.
Tighten the screw of the transportation pin (G).
4.1Installing the Power Purge Unit (PPU)
The Power Purge Unit (PPU) is an external diaphragm pump. It has a considerably higher delivery rate than the
diaphragm pump (P1), which is built-in in the SC unit. The PPU pumps additional dry air to the system during
the first rinsing cycle and the drying procedure. This drastically reduces the time required to complete the clean
13Installing SC30
ing procedure: In general, depending on the viscosity and stickiness of the sample, rinsing times for the first
rinsing procedure are cut by half and the drying time required is cut down to approximately 20%.
The Power Purge Unit is required for cleaning and drying when working with the heated version of the SC unit.
The Power Purge Unit is installed as follows:
1 Remove the plug from the tube connector "PPU IN" of the SC unit.
2 Screw the Connection tube t13 of the PPU into this connector.
3 Test for tightness: Gently pull on the Teflon tube. If you have the feeling that the tube end is still moving ever
so slightly, you need to tighten this screw even more, until the tube end is firmly pressed against its socket.
4 Attach the cable (y) of the Power Purge Unit to the power outlet marked with "PPU"on the SC unit.
5 Install the drying tower (z) on the PPU.
6 Position the PPU in such a way that it is slightly elevated to the SC unit (on the SC unit, on an elevated shelf
behind the SC).
Operating the measuring system is done in the same way, with or without the use of a PPU. However, you
have to consider during the setup of the instrument, that you have to enter appropriate times to specify the dura
tion of drying the measuring cells. The high flow rate of dry air from the PPU results in the Auto Purge function
"Purge Auto" of the sequence to react very slowly. This results in unnecessary long drying times.
Therefore you should always use the setting "Purge Set" for the drying process of the measuring cells. If you
use acetone as second rinsing liquid, please use the following times to specify the duration of the drying proce
dure, independently of the used measuring instrument.
Method for adjustments: "Purge Time": 90 s
Method for measurements: "Purge Time": 30 s
If you use ethanol as the second rinsing liquid, enter in both cases the double span of time for the drying proce
dure.
For special samples, like for example honey (very sticky), or concentrated acids or bases (strongly exothermal
reaction with water) it could be advantageous to adapt the air: water ratio in the rinsing cycle of the SC unit (in
the respective method function of your density meter). You can change this in the Clean function of your mea
suring method: Change the air addition to ‘Low’ or to ‘Very low’.
To use the Power Purge Unit, you have to activate it in the "Setup" of your measuring system (refer to the refer
to the Operating Instructions of you measurement instrument:: "Setup > Hardware > Automation").
4.2Sample Vials
METTLER TOLEDO offers two different types of sample vials suitable for the SC unit Sample Delivery and Clean
ing Unit (see picture).
14 Installing SC30
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20 mL sample vials. These vials are available in borosilicate glass or in PP. They can be used without
cap, or they can be sealed with a cap with built-in membrane. We recommend to close the vials with a cap
for the following cases:
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The membrane prevents the properties of the sample from changing due to evaporation or contamination
prior to the measurement.
•
The sampling nozzle is wiped off after the measurements before it moves to the rinsing pot for cleaning.
Advantage: Less time and cleaning solvent required to clean the sampling nozzle, no drops of the sample
may fall down onto the instrument when the nozzle moves from the vial to the rinsing pot.
•
The sealing of the vial during sampling is better. The sealing is done by the sampling nozzle directly on
the cap. When measuring very highly viscous samples, the time required for sampling is shorter if a
sealed vial is used.
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6 and 9 mL sample vials. These small vials (3, 4) have to be used with an adaptor (5, order no.
51322304) and must always be sealed with a membrane (6, order no. 51322305). Before and after
measurements, these vials may be sealed with a screw cap (order no. 51322306). If you clean and dry
the system after each measurement or if you work with a Heating Option, we recommend you use this type
of vial.
To seal these types of vials, always make sure that the slits in the membrane face down (into the vial). If
this is not the case, a piece of the membrane could be cut by the sampling needle and clog the tubings!
15Installing SC30
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