Techne Sample Concentrator User Manual

Sample

Concentrator

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Issue 10

8/08

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 2

Warning 2

Operator safety 3

Specification 3

Installation 3

Diagram of Sample Concentrator 4

Guarantee 5

OPERATION 6

Preparation 7

Operation 8

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 9

User maintenance 9

Solvent evaporation temperatures 10

Diagram of gas chamber 12

Replacement parts 13

1

INTRODUCTION

Please read all the information in this user manual before using the Sample Concentrator.

The Techne Sample Concentrator has been designed to provide a quick and convenient method of
accelerating the concentration by evaporation of solvents from samples prior to analysis. It is designed to
work in conjunction with Techne DB-3, DB-3A or DB-3D Dri-Block

®

heaters*.

The Sample Concentrator consists of a gas chamber mounted above a Dri-Block

®

heater into which
vessels containing samples are placed. Hyperdermic needles carry the gas down from the chamber into
the test tubes. The samples are heated from below by the heater and the flow of gas directed over the
surface of the samples displaces the evaporated solvent from above the liquid’s surface. This significantly
increases the rate of sample concentration.

The unit provides accurate and reproducible control over the positioning of the needles. The gas chamber
can be removed from its stand to provide easy access to the samples, and it can be replaced quickly. The
whole unit is compact enough for convenient use in a fume cupboard.

WARNING

HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DANGEROUS: they can cause serious burns and ignite combustible material.
Users should pay attention to the following points:

• USE CARE AND WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES TO PROTECT HANDS;

• DO NOT put hot objects on or near combustible objects;

• DO NOT place any liquid directly into your Dri-Block

®

heater;

• At all times USE COMMON SENSE.

*The Dri-Block

®

heater is not provided and must be purchased separately.

2

SAFETY ADVICE BEFORE USE

OPERATOR SAFETY

All users of Techne equipment must have available the relevant literature needed to ensure their safety.

It is important that only suitably instructed personnel operate this equipment, in accordance with the
instructions contained in this manual and with proper safety standards and procedures.

SPECIFICATION

Maximum vertical travel 320 mm

Maximum gas pressure 2 psi

Maximum gas usage 15 litres/min

Gas Any inert gas (often nitrogen)

Needle positions Variable to suit Techne Dri-Blocks

®

Gas Intake Nozzle Diameter 6.35 mm (1/4")

Height 530 mm

Width 240 mm

Depth 295 mm

Weight 3.5 Kg

INSTALLATION

For packing purposes the Sample Concentrator is supplied unassembled in three parts; the base board,
the column and carriage, and the gas chamber. The unit is re-assembled as follows:

1. Unscrew the column fastening knob from the column support bracket already fixed to the base
board. Locate the column on the two pins in the support bracket. Screw the fastening knob through
the rear of the column and tighten firmly.

2. Insert the locating pin on the rear of the gas chamber into the front of the carriage aligning the
indent in the chamber with the positioning pin on the carriage. Tighten the locking knob.

3