Droplet SP2 Manual instruction

Set-up and Operation Manual
SP2 with Auto Sampler
Operator Manual
DOC-0318, Rev A-1
2400 Trade Centre Avenue
Longmont, CO 80503 USA
A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D

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General Information
In no event will Droplet Measurement Technologies, LLC (DMT) be liable for direct, indirect, special,
incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect or omissions in this manual.
DMT reserves the right to make changes to this manual and the products it describes at any time,
without
notice or obligation. Revised editions are found on the manufacturer’s website.
All DMT product names and the Droplet Measurement Technologies Logo are trademarks of Droplet
Measurement Technologies, LLC.
All other brand and product names are trademarks, or registered trademarks, of their respective owners.
Software License
DMT licenses its software only upon the condition that you accept all of the terms contained in this
license agreement.
This software is provided by DMT “as is” and any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited
to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. Under
no circumstances and under no legal theory, whether in tort, contract, or otherwise, shall DMT or its
developers be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages
(including damages for work stoppage; computer failure or malfunction; lossof goodwill; loss of use, data
or profits; or for any and all other damages and losses). Some states do not allow the limitation or
exclusion of implied warranties and you may be entitled to additional rights in thosestates.
Warranty
The seller warrants that the equipment supplied will be free from defects in material and workmanship
for a period of eighteen months from date of shipment or 12 months from the date of either installation
or first use whichever comes first. When returning the equipment to DMT for warranty or service
procedures, the equipment owner will pay for shipping to DMT, while DMT will pay the return shipping
expense. Consumable components, such as tubing, filters, pump diaphragms, and Nafion humidifiers and
dehumidifiers are not covered by this warranty.

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Contents
Part I: Setting up the System........................................................................................... 6
1.0 Unpacking ......................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Preparing the Nebulizer.........................................................................................................6
2.0 SP2 Set-up......................................................................................................... 7
3.0 Nebulizer Set-up................................................................................................ 9
3.1 In-Flow Connections..............................................................................................................9
3.2 Out-Flow Connections.........................................................................................................12
4.0 Auto Sampler Set-up ....................................................................................... 14
4.1 Power Supply and Serial Communications..........................................................................14
4.2 Sample Flow Components...................................................................................................15
5.0 Peristaltic Pump Set-up ................................................................................... 17
5.1 In-Flow Connections............................................................................................................18
5.2 Out-Flow Connections.........................................................................................................20
Part II: Turning the System On and Off .......................................................................... 21
6.0 Turning on the System..................................................................................... 21
7.0 Turning off the System .................................................................................... 34
Figures
Figure 1: Removing Nebulizer Cover................................................................................ 6
Figure 2: Removing the Nebulizer's Cardboard Insert ...................................................... 7
Figure 3: Connecting SP2 and SP2 Pump Exhaust Valves .................................................. 7
Figure 4: The "Tee" Connector on the SP2 Purge Port ...................................................... 8
Figure 5: Connecting SP2 Purge Valve and Drying Cartridge ............................................. 8
Figure 6: Connecting SP2 Pump Purge and Drying Cartridge............................................. 8
Figure 7: Inserting "Tee" Connector into SP2 Inlet ........................................................... 9
Figure 8: Nebulizer In-Flow ............................................................................................. 9
Figure 9: Alicat Connections.......................................................................................... 10
Figure 10: Connecting the Inline Filter to the Nebulizer ................................................. 11
Figure 11: Waste Tubes Exiting Nebulizer ...................................................................... 12

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Figure 12: Waste Container........................................................................................... 12
Figure 13: Removing Clamp from Nebulizer Aperture .................................................... 13
Figure 14: Attaching Conductive Tubing to the Nebulizer's Glass Aperture..................... 13
Figure 15: Reattaching the Glass Aperture with the Clamp ............................................ 14
Figure 16: Connecting the Conductive Tubing from the Nebulizer to the Tee Connector. 14
Figure 17: Setting up the Auto Sampler ......................................................................... 15
Figure 18: Auto Sampler Tube Connections ................................................................... 16
Figure 19: Tygon Tubing................................................................................................ 16
Figure 20: Sample Transfer Tubing ................................................................................ 17
Figure 21: Removing Outer Cassette from Peristaltic Pump ........................................... 18
Figure 22: Threading Tygon Tubing through the Peristaltic Pump's Cassette .................. 18
Figure 23: Reinserting the Cassette in the Peristaltic Pump............................................ 19
Figure 24: Attaching the Sample Transfer Tubing to Peristaltic Pump............................. 19
Figure 25: Connecting the Peristaltic Pump to the Nebulizer.......................................... 20
Figure 26: Plugging in Power to Alicat Flow Controller................................................... 21
Figure 27: Disconnecting the Nebulizer from the SP2..................................................... 21
Figure 28: SP2 Software Icon......................................................................................... 22
Figure 29: Verifying the Config File on the Config Tab .................................................... 22
Figure 30: Loading a New Configuration File.................................................................. 23
Figure 31: Selecting the Desired Config File ................................................................... 23
Figure 32: Sample Flow Stabilizing................................................................................. 24
Figure 33: Closing the Nebulizer Latch........................................................................... 24
Figure 34: Nebulizer with Latch Closed.......................................................................... 25
Figure 35: Turning on the Nebulizer .............................................................................. 25
Figure 36: Pressing the Nebulizer "Operate" Button ...................................................... 26
Figure 37: Waste Container........................................................................................... 26
Figure 38: Latching the Peristaltic Clamp on the Auto Sampler ...................................... 27
Figure 39: Turning on the Auto Sampler ........................................................................ 27
Figure 40: Inserting Cassette in Peristaltic Pump............................................................ 28
Figure 41: Turning on the Peristaltic Pump .................................................................... 28
Figure 42: Starting Auto Sampler Rinse Sequence.......................................................... 29
Figure 43: Turning on the Laser from the Control Tab .................................................... 30

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Figure 44: Verifying Particle Response........................................................................... 31
Figure 45: Reconnecting the Nebulizer to the SP2.......................................................... 31
Figure 46: Loading the Auto Sampler Rack..................................................................... 32
Figure 47: Configuring "Start Sample #" and "End Sample #" ......................................... 33
Figure 48: Running the Auto Sampler ............................................................................ 33
Figure 49: Running the "A-S Home" Sequence............................................................... 34
Figure 50: Turning the Laser Off .................................................................................... 35
Figure 51: Releasing the Cassette from the Peristaltic Pump.......................................... 35
Figure 52: Unlatching the Peristaltic Clamp on the Auto Sampler................................... 36
Figure 53: Turning off the Nebulizer .............................................................................. 36
Figure 54: Opening the Nebulizer Latch......................................................................... 37
Figure 55: Unplugging the Alicat Flow Controller ........................................................... 37

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Part I: Setting up the System
Unpacking
Unpack the system components and ensure all items are present. For details on unpacking the Auto
Sampler and identifying a good location for the device, see ASX-520 Auto Sampler Operator’s
Manual from CETAC Technologies.
On the nebulizer, you must remove the cover and the cardboard insert as described in the section
below.
1.1 Preparing the Nebulizer
To unpack the nebulizer, unscrew the two screws on the rear panel of the instrument (Figure 1,
left), and then remove the cover (Figure 1, right).
Figure 1: Removing Nebulizer Cover
Next, remove the cardboard insert from the nebulizer. Note: Do NOT discard this insert, as you will
need to reinsert it for shipping the nebulizer.

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Figure 2: Removing the Nebulizer's Cardboard Insert
Connect the power supply for the nebulizer.
SP2 Set-up
1.) Using Polyethylene tubing with ¼” Swagelok fittings (included), connect the exhaust port on the
SP2 to the exhaust in-flow port on the SP2 pump. See Figure 3.
Figure 3: Connecting SP2 and SP2 Pump Exhaust Valves
2.) Attach the “Tee” to the Purge port on the SP2’s back panel. Connect Poly tubing to the “Tee”
with ¼” Swageloks (Figure 4). Note: There are two “Tee” connectors that come with the SP2, but
they are not interchangeable. The proper connector is the one that will fit on the Purge port.

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Figure 4: The "Tee" Connector on the SP2 Purge Port
3.) Connect one of the Poly tubes exiting the SP2 purge port to the Drierite cartridge (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Connecting SP2 Purge Valve and Drying Cartridge
4.) Connect the Drierite cartridge to the out-flow purge port on the SP2 pump (Figure 6).
Figure 6: Connecting SP2 Pump Purge and Drying Cartridge

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5.) Attach the “Tee” connector to the SP2 inlet (Figure 7). Note that the filter on the “Tee”
connector is just a vent, and is not connected to anything.
Figure 7: Inserting "Tee" Connector into SP2 Inlet
6.) Plug in the power supplies for the SP2 and SP2 pump.
Nebulizer Set-up
1.2 In-Flow Connections
The needle should already be connected to nebulizer, as shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8: Nebulizer In-Flow

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1.) One of the Poly tubes exiting the SP2 purge port should not yet be connected to anything.
Connect the end of this tubing to the Alicat flow controller on the “IN” tubing side (Figure 9,
#1).
2.) Connect the ¼” Poly tubing from the Alicat “OUT” port to the inline filter (Figure 9, #2).
3.) Connect the power supply Alicat flow controller (Figure 9, #3).
4.) Connect the Alicat serial port cable to COM 2 on the SP2 (Figure 9, #4).
Figure 9: Alicat Connections
5.) Connect the inline filter to the back panel of the nebulizer (Figure 10).

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Figure 10: Connecting the Inline Filter to the Nebulizer

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1.3 Out-Flow Connections
1.) Feed the three ¼” Tygon tubes (Figure 11) exiting the nebulizer into a waste container
(Figure 12).
Figure 11: Waste Tubes Exiting Nebulizer
Figure 12: Waste Container
2.) Remove the clamp on the nebulizer’s glass aperture (Figure 13).

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Figure 13: Removing Clamp from Nebulizer Aperture
3.) Plug in black conductive tubing to glass aperture (Figure 14).
Figure 14: Attaching Conductive Tubing to the Nebulizer's Glass Aperture
4.) Reattach the clamp with the glass aperture and conductive tubing attached to the nebulizer
(Figure 15).

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Figure 15: Reattaching the Glass Aperture with the Clamp
5.) Feed the other end of the ¼” black conductive tubing into the “Tee”connector on the SP2’s
front panel (Figure 16).
Figure 16: Connecting the Conductive Tubing from the Nebulizer to the Tee Connector
Auto Sampler Set-up
1.4 Power Supply and Serial Communications
To set up the Auto Sampler, follow these steps:
1.) Set up the vial racks and vials for sampling. See the Auto Sampler instruction manual for more
information.

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2.) Attach the power supply to the Auto Sampler. Plug in the Power Supply (Figure 17).
3.) Attach one end of the serial cable to Auto Sampler (COM1), and the other end to the SeaLevel
serial port connector. Attach the USB end of the port connector to the USB1 port on the SP2
(Figure 17).
1.5 Sample Flow Components
On the Auto Sampler’s back panel, in the lower right corner, you will find several tube connections.
The rinse tubes should already be connected to the rinsing station.
Figure 17: Setting up the Auto Sampler

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1.) Connect the in-flow tube to a source of distilled water
1
.
2.) Connect the waste tube to a waste container (Figure 12).
3.) Attach a piece of Tygon tubing (Figure 19) to the sample transfer that comes off the Z-axis
slider (Figure 20).
Figure 19: Tygon Tubing
1
De-ionized or purified water can be used in place of distilled water.
Figure 18: Auto Sampler Tube Connections

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Figure 20: Sample Transfer Tubing
Note: If you want to change the Auto Sampler pump speed, consult the ASX-520 Auto Sampler
Operator’s Manual from CETAC Technologies.
Peristaltic Pump Set-up
The peristaltic pump handles the water flow from the Auto Sampler to the nebulizer.

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1.6 In-Flow Connections
1.) The peristaltic pump has four cassettes. Remove the outside cassette from the peristaltic
pump by pinching the cassette together slightly (Figure 21, #1), rotating it (Figure 21, #2),
and removing it.
Figure 21: Removing Outer Cassette from Peristaltic Pump
2.) Thread a piece of Tygon tubing through the cassette (Figure 22).
Figure 22: Threading Tygon Tubing through the Peristaltic Pump's Cassette

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3.) Reinsert the cassette into the pump, making sure it snaps on both sides (Figure
23).
Figure 23: Reinserting the Cassette in the Peristaltic Pump
4.) Connect the Tygon tubing on the in-flow side of the peristaltic pump to the sample transfer
tubing from the auto sampler (Figure 24). Keep the tubing as short as possible to minimize
transfer time.
Figure 24: Attaching the Sample Transfer Tubing to Peristaltic Pump
5.) Plug in the peristaltic pump.

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1.7 Out-Flow Connections
1.) Attach a piece of Tygon tubing to the outflow port on the peristaltic pump.
2.) Fit the other end of the tubing over the needle for the nebulizer.
Figure 25: Connecting the Peristaltic Pump to the Nebulizer
Once the auto sampler, nebulizer, SP2 and various pumps have been connected, turn the system on
as described in the following section. Once you have verified that the system is working properly,
you can replace the nebulizer cover and secure it using the two back-panel screws (Figure 1).