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
4
3. Connect the intake nozzle at the rear of the gas chamber to a suitable supply of gas via a pressure
reducing valve. The gas pressure should be adjusted as required at the reducing valve but should not
exceed 2 psi. Pressure in excess of 2 psi will cause gas to be vented and wasted.
4. Place the Techne Dri-Block
®
heater onto the base of the Sample Concentrator. It is positioned by
means of two spigots on the base board which align with two centrally located screw heads on the
underside of the Dri-Block®unit.
DIAGRAM OF SAMPLE CONCENTRATOR
Carriage
Column
Fastening
knob
Location
spigots
Needles
Baseboard
Gas
chamber
Intake
nozzle
Locating
pin
Locking
knob
Positioning
pin
5
GUARANTEE
This instrument is guaranteed against any defect in material or workmanship for a period as specified on
the enclosed guarantee card. This period is from the date of purchase, and within this period all defective
parts will be replaced free of charge provided that the defect is not the result of misuse, accident or
negligence. Servicing under this guarantee should be obtained from the supplier.
Notwithstanding the description and specification(s) of the units contained in the user manual, Techne
hereby reserves the right to make such changes as it shall see fit to the units or to any component of the
units.
This user’s manual has been prepared solely for the convenience of Techne customers and nothing in this
manual shall be taken as a warranty, condition or representation concerning the description,
merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise of the units or the components.
OPERATION
Preparation
1. Place the aluminium insert blocks to be used into the Dri-Block
®
unit. The blocks should touch each
other and be positioned centrally.
2. Loosen the locking knob on the carriage. Remove the gas chamber, disconnecting the gas pipe if
necessary, and lay the chamber upside down on a suitable work surface.
3. Insert the hyperdermic needles in the pattern to suit the test tubes to be placed in the heater.
The needle guide holes are labelled with a letter corresponding with the type of insert block used in the
heater. These are listed in the following table. As an example if you use the block for twelve 15mm test
tubes (block number F3506) you would place a needle in all the holes labelled C and all holes labelled D.
Only Sample Concentrators with the part number FSC496D or a replacement head part number 6104202
will have the 96 well array.
Tube size Insert block Hole label
& number number
6mm x 30 F3502 A
10mm x 20 F3503 B
12mm x 20 F3504 B
13mm x 20 F3505 B
15mm x 12 F3506 C & D
16mm x 12 F3507 C & D
19mm x 8 F3508 D, E & F
25mm x 6 F3509 D & E
9mm x 10 F4461 A
7mm x 20
24mm x 6 F4462 D & E
26mm x 6 F4463 D & E
1.5ml x 20 F4464 B
0.5ml x 30 F4465 A
6
7
96 well hole array (12 x 8 matrix as above)
Press each needle firmly, pointed end first, through the guide holes and through the sealing pad behind
so that it is held firmly in position. Build up the desired pattern of needles to suit the arrangement of test
tubes to be used. Do not put a needle in any position which will not have a corresponding sample to be
concentrated as this will only waste gas. The needles may be removed and replaced many times as the
pad is self sealing.
INSERTING THE NEEDLES
4. Replace the gas chamber onto the carriage and tighten the locking knob. Re-connect the gas pipe if
necessary.
C
C
C
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
A A
A
A A A A A A A A
A
A A A
B B B B B B B B B B B B
B B B B B B B B B B B B
B B B B B B B B B B B B
B B B B B B B B B B B B
B B B B B B B B B B B B
A A A A A A AAA A A A
A
A A
A A A A A A A A A A A
A
A A A
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
D D
D
D
D
D
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
C C C C C C C C C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
F
E E E E E E
F
D
D
D
D
D
D
C
F
F
C
C
F
F
A
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
D
C
C
E
D
A
8
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.
9
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
User maintenance
1. Cleaning
Your Sample Concentrator can be cleaned by wiping with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Ethanol and
formaldehyde may also be used. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
2. 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.
3. To replace the 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:
• Remove the gas chamber from the carriage, disconnect the gas pipe and place upside down on a
suitable work surface.
• Remove the four nuts securing the matrix plate.
• Lift off the matrix plate leaving the four spacers in position.
• Lift off the sealing pad. Ensure that the support strip underneath the sealing pad and the four spacers
remain in place.
• Replace the sealing pad with the new one. Reassembly is the reverse of the above procedure.
For any other servicing requirements please contact your supplier or Techne’s service department.
10
IUPAC Name Common Name Boiling point (°C) at Pressure (mbar) at
1013 mbar pressure which b.p is 40°C
2-propanone Acetone 56 556
1-pentanol Pentyl alcohol 137 11
Benzene Benzene 80 236
1-butanol Butyl alcohol 118 25
2-methyl-2-propanol Tert-butyl alcohol 83 130
Chlorobenzene Chlorobenzene 132 36
Chloroform Trichloromethane 61 474
Cyclohexane Cyclohexane 81 235
Ethoxyethane Diethyl ether 35 Atmospheric
1,2-dichloroethane Ethylene chloride 83 210
1,2-dichloroethene Cis-acetylene dichloride 60 479
1,2-dichloroethene Trans-acetylene dichloride 48 751
2-propan-2-yloxypropane Isopropyl ether 68 375
1,4-Dioxane Diethylene oxide 101 107
N,N-dimethylformamide Dimethylformamide (DMF) 153 11
Acetic acid Ethanoic acid 118 44
Ethanol Alcohol 79 175
Ethyl acetate Ethyl ester 77 40
Heptane Dipropylmethane 98 120
Hexane n-hexane 69 335
Propan-2-ol Isopropanol 82 137
3-methyl-1-butanol Isoamyl alcohol 130 14
Butan-2-one Methylethylketone (MEK) 80 243
SOLVENT EVAPORATION TEMPERATURES
Methanol Methyl alcohol 65 337
Dichloromethane Methylene chloride 40 Atmospheric
Pentane Pentane 36 Atmospheric
Propan-1-ol Propyl alcohol 97 67
1,1,1,2,2-pentachloroethane Pentachloroethane 162 13
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane Tetrachloroethane 138 35
1,1,1 -trichloroethane Trichloroethane 75 271
Tetrachloromethane Carbon tetrachloride 76 300
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene Tetrachloroethylene 121 53
Oxolane Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 67 357
Toluene Methylbenzene 111 77
1,1,2-trichloroethene Trichloroethylene 87 183
Oxidane Water 100 72
Dimethylbenzene Xylene (mixed) 137 25
1,2-dimethylbenzene o-xylene 144 34
1,3-dimethylbenzene m-xylene 139 25
1,4-dimethylbenzene p-xylene 138 31
IUPAC Name Common Name Boiling point (°C) at Pressure (mbar) at
1013 mbar pressure which b.p is 40°C
11
SOLVENT EVAPORATION TEMPERATURES
continued
12
DIAGRAM OF GAS CHAMBER
C
C
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
D
D
D
D
D
D
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
F
E
E
E
E
E
E
F
F
F
F
F
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
D
D
D
D
D
D
C
C
C
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Sealing plate
Support strip
Spacer
Matrix plate
13
REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
The following replacement parts and accessories may be obtained from your supplier or from Techne.
Part Number Description
F7209 Pack of 100 x 76mm long needles
F7210 Pack of 100 x 127mm long needles
FSC4NCS Pack of PTFE coated needles, 100 x 76mm long
FSC4NCL Pack of PTFE coated needles, 100 x 127mm long
6101609 Base board
6101608 Spigot
6101604 Sealing pad
6101606 Spacer
6101605 Support strip
Spare and alternative heads complete
6010080 Standard, three block, matrix head
6104202* 96 well holes added to standard matrix
6103824 96 well head off-set for automatic machine
Concentrators with various heads
FSC400D Standard, three block, matrix
FSC496D* 96 well lay-out added to standard matrix
* Can be used with standard blocks or 96 well block but is not easy to differentiate for needle insertion
Bibby Scientific Ltd
Beacon Road Stone
Staffordshire ST15 0SA
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)8449 360234
Fax: +44 (0)8449 360235
email: techne@bibby-scientific.com
www.bibby-scientific.com
Bibby Scientific France SAS
ZI du Rocher Vert - BP 79
77793 Nemours Cedex
France
Tel: +33 1 64 45 13 13
Fax: +33 1 64 45 13 00
e-mail: bsf@bibby-scientific.fr
www.bibby-scientific.com
Bibby Scientific Italia Srl
Via Alcide de Gasperi 56
20077 Riozzo di Cerro al Lambro
Milano Italia
Tel: +39 (0)2 98230679
Fax: +39 (0)2 98230211
e-mail: marketing@bibby-scientific.it
www.bibby-scientific.it
Techne Inc.
3 Terri Lane Suite 10
Burlington NJ 08016
USA
Tel: 800-225-9243
Fax: 609-589-2571
email: labproducts@techneusa.com
www.techneusa.com
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