Cole Parmer Techne FSC400D User manual

Sample Concentrator
FSC400D & FSC496D
Instruction Manual
TECH0002 / Version 1.0

2
Contents
Introduction 3
General Description 3
Important Safety Advice 4
Installation 5
Operation 6
Preparation 6
Processing of Samples 8
Maintenance 8
Cleaning and Care 8
Carriage Friction 8
Replacing Sealing Pad 9
In Case of Contamination 9
Service and Repair 10
Warranty 10
Replacement Parts and Accessories 10
Diagram of Gas Chamber 11
Technical Specication 12
Customer and Technical Support 12
Solvent Evaporation Temperatures 13

3
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Techne product. To get the best performance from the equipment, and for
your own safety, please read these instructions carefully before use.
Before discarding the packaging check that all parts are present and correct.
When unpacking the unit, check that the following have been removed from the packing:
v Base board
vColumn and carriage
vGas chamber
vInstruction manual
v Warranty card
General Description
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 DB100/3, DB200/3, DB-3, and DB-3A 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.
*The Dri-Block®heater is not provided and must be purchased separately.
Important Safety Advice
Users should be aware of the following safety advice:
vDO NOT use combustible substances near hot objects.
vDO NOT use the equipment in hazardous atmospheres.
vHIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DANGEROUS as they can cause serious burns to operators and ignite
combustible material. Users should be aware of the following safety advice:
vUSE CARE AND WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES TO PROTECT HANDS.
vDO NOT apply severe physical stress or use at temperatures above the rated value.
Symbols Dened
WARNING BIOHAZARDHOT
SURFACE

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. Align the threaded hole on the back of the gas chamber with the mounting on the carriage. Tighten the
locking knob to secure the gas chamber in position.
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.
Carriage
Fastening knob
Location spigots
Needles
Base board
Gas chamber
Intake nozzle
Locking knob
Fastening knob
Column
4

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 (e.g.
block number F3506) you would place a needle in all the holes labelled C.
Only Sample Concentrators with the part number FSC496D or a replacement head part number 6106467 will
have the 96 well array.
Tube size & diameter Hole array Hole label
5 x 6 deep 30 A
4 x 5 deep 20 B
3 x 4 deep 12 C
8 hole off-set array, e.g. F4490 D
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.
4. Replace the gas chamber onto the carriage and tighten the locking knob. Re-connect the gas pipe if necessary.
5

FSC400D matrix plate
FSC496D matrix plate
Inserting the Needles
6

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.
Maintenance
Cleaning and care
With proper care and operation, the equipment should give reliable service, however contamination or general
misuse may reduce the effective life of the product and could cause a hazard.
Preventative maintenance should include keeping the product clean by protecting it from spillage, contamination
or corrosive environments. If in doubt, please confirm that any intended method of decontamination will not
damage the equipment by contacting Cole-Parmer.
Your Sample Concentrator can be cleaned by wiping with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Ethanol and
formaldehyde may also be used.
NOTE: Do not use solvents or abrasive cleaners for cleaning any parts of this equipment.
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.
Replacing 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:
vRemove the gas chamber from the carriage, disconnect the gas pipe and place upside down on a
suitable work surface.
vRemove the four screws securing the matrix plate.
vLift off the matrix plate.
vLift off the sealing pad. Ensure that the support strip underneath the sealing pad remains in place.
vReplace the sealing pad with the new one. Reassembly is the reverse of the above procedure.
7

In Case of Contamination
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE IS INTENDED AS A GUIDE. SHOULD SPILLAGE OF A
TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS FLUID OCCUR, THEN ADDITIONAL SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS MAY
BE NECESSARY.
If the equipment has been exposed to contamination, the Responsible Body is responsible for carrying out
appropriate decontamination. If hazardous material has been spilt on or inside the equipment, decontamination
should only be undertaken under the control of the Responsible Body with due recognition of possible hazards.
Before using any cleaning or decontamination method, the Responsible Body should check with the
manufacturer that the proposed method will not damage the equipment. Prior to further use, the Responsible
Body shall check the electrical safety of the unit. Only if all safety requirements are met can the unit be used
again.
NOTE: In the event of this equipment or any part of the unit becoming damaged or requiring service, the item(s)
should be returned to the manufacturer for repair accompanied by a decontamination certificate. Copies of the
Certificate are available from the Distributor/Manufacturer.
At the end of its service life, the product must be accompanied by a Decontamination Certificate.
Servicing and Repair
This product range does not require any routine servicing, instructions for cleaning and decontamination are
included.
In the event of product failure, it is recommended that any repair is only undertaken by suitably qualified
personnel. For advice, please contact Techne quoting the model and serial number.
Only spare parts supplied by the manufacturer or its agent should be used. Fitting of non-approved parts may
affect the performance of the safety features of the instrument.
If in doubt, please contact:
Cole-Parmer Ltd.
Beacon Road,
Stone, Staffordshire,
ST15 0SA, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.coleparmer.com
Warranty
Cole-Parmer Ltd. warrants this equipment to be free from defects in material and workmanship when used
under normal laboratory conditions for the period specified on the enclosed warranty card. In the event of a
justified claim, Cole-Parmer will replace any defective component or replace the unit free of charge.
This warranty does NOT apply if:
v Any repair has been made or attempted other than by the manufacturer or its agent.
vAny minor coating chips or scratches occur during normal use (i.e., wear and tear).
vDamage is caused by fire, accident, misuse, neglect, incorrect adjustment or repair, damage
caused by installation, adaptation, modification or fitting of non-approved parts.
8

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
6101608 Spigot
6101604 Sealing pad
6101605 Support strip
6106410 Standard, three block, matrix plate
6106467 96 well matrix plate
FSC400D Standard, three block, matrix
FSC496D 96 well matrix
Diagram of Gas Chamber
Sealing pad
Support strip
Matrix plate
9

10
Technical 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 (¼")
Height 530 mm
Width 240 mm
Depth 295 mm
Weight 3.5 Kg
Customer and Technical Support
For help and support, contact:
Cole-Parmer Ltd.
Beacon Road,
Stone, Staffordshire,
ST15 0SA, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Customer Services: [e-mail]
Sales: [e-mail]
Technical Support: [e-mail]
Warranty, Repairs and Service: [e-mail]
Web: www.coleparmer.com