Markes International HiSorb Agitator U-HSAG-20 User manual

HiSorb™Agitator
Instruction for use
QUI-1124
Version 2
August 2019
www.markes.com
Product reference:
HiSorb Agitator, with 16 × 20 mL vial block U-HSAG-20

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Contents
1. Introduction ............................3
2. Notices ....................................4
2.1 Warranty .............................. 4
2.2 Regulatorycertications .... 4
3. Safety warnings ......................4
3.1 Symbols ............................... 4
3.2 Mains voltages/External
power supply ....................... 5
3.3 Liquid handling.................... 5
3.4 Pressure .............................. 6
3.5 Spillage prevention ............. 6
3.6 Spillage cleaning ................. 6
3.7 High temperatures.............. 7
3.8 Agitation .............................. 7
4. Technicalspecications ........8
4.1 HiSorb Agitator.................... 8
4.2 Power supply ....................... 8
4.3 PC......................................... 9
5. Environmental operating
conditions................................9
5.1 Operating conditions .......... 9
5.2 Storage and shipping
conditions............................ 9
6. Instrument operation .......... 10
6.1 Vialblocktting/removal . 10
6.2 Setting the agitator........... 11
6.3 Activating the agitator ......12
6.4 Temperature display ......... 13
6.5 Error states........................ 13
7. Instrument cleaning............ 14
7.1 General points................... 14
7.2 Cleaning the touchscreen 14
7.3 Cleaning the cover ............ 14
7.4 Cleaning the vial block......15
8. Contact details .................... 15

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1. Introduction
The HiSorb Agitator is a laboratory agitation unit for 20 mL, 10 mL or 2 mL vials,
with control of speed, incubation temperatures and agitation time. The HiSorb
Agitator can be used in conjunction with Markes’ HiSorb probe technology for
sorptive sample extraction, and as a stand-alone unit for general laboratory mixing
of liquids or solid suspensions.
The key parts of HiSorb Agitator are labelled below. They will be referred to
throughout this manual.
Vial block
(16 × 20 mL shown)
USB port (for
updates only)
Power
switch
Power
inlet
Touchscreen
Front view
Rear panel schematic

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2. Notices
2.1 Warranty
The HiSorb Agitator is designed for laboratory use only. It is not intended for use in
domestic establishments or establishments directly connected to a low-voltage
power supply network that supplies buildings used for domestic purposes.
WheretheHiSorbAgitatorisusedinaeldenvironment,caremustbetakento
ensure that it is not exposed to detrimental conditions, i.e. rain, wind, or sun.
Exposure may diminish the performance, cause damage to the instrument, and/or
cause the instrument to become unsafe to the user.
Iftheinstrumentisnotusedinawayspeciedbythemanufacturer,theprotection
provided by the instrument may be reduced. System failures arising from such use
may not be covered in standard warranty and service contract documents.
2.2 Regulatorycertications
The instrument is designed and manufactured under a quality system registered to
ISO 9001.
3. Safety warnings
3.1 Symbols
Make sure you follow the safety notices presented in this manual and follow warning
symbols on the product. Markes International assumes no liability for the failure to
comply with these requirements. The following terms are used in this manual:
WARNING This highlights actions that could cause personal injury.
CAUTION This highlights actions that may cause damage to hardware or software,
render test results invalid, or result in non-optimal performance.
NOTES  Thisemphasisesimportantinformationaboutaspecictask.

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3.2 Mains voltages/External power supply
WARNING Ensure that the plug (electrical isolator) can be easily and
quickly accessed during equipment use.
WARNING The instrument must be suitably earthed.
WARNING The internal parts of the HiSorb Agitator are all low-voltage.
However, the external power supply will contain potentially
dangerous voltages (even if the power switch is off) –
never remove the cover of the external power supply.
CAUTION To reduce risk of damage, position the power supply unit
away from the agitator and any liquids.
3.3 Liquid handling
WARNING Flammable and/or explosive liquids must not be used with
the agitator. Use of these substances will render safety
approval of the agitator invalid, and may cause serious
injury and/or damage.
WARNING To avoid injury, observe safe laboratory practice when
handling solvents and samples, and observe company
policy on safety at all times.
WARNING Before using hazardous substances, know the physical
and chemical properties of the solvents you use, and read
the hazard indications and information reported in the
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) supplied by the
manufacturer referring to the relevant CAS (Chemical
Abstract Service) number. Any safety requirements must
be followed at all times.
WARNING In laboratories where samples with potential biological
hazards are handled, it is the user’s responsibility to label
any equipment (or parts thereof) that may become
contaminatedwithbiohazardousmaterial,andtofullthe
mandatory requirements as determined by the hazard.

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NOTES If the agitator comes in contact with hazardous materials, whether they
are biological or chemical, do not return it to Markes or any of Markes’
distributors without a valid returns number.
3.4 Pressure
NOTES Only sample vials manufactured from high-quality glass should be used
with the agitator.
CAUTION Depending on the application conditions, high pressure can build up in
the vial. Whenever a temperature greater than 60°C is applied, consider
the vapour pressure of the solvent used, and ensure that no excessive
pressure builds up. Be aware that solid materials can also contain
volatile compounds such as water (humidity) which could cause build-up
of pressure.
CAUTION Do not reuse headspace vials. During the washing process, micro-cracks
can form, which will weaken the glass and increase the chances
of breakage.
3.5 Spillage prevention
CAUTION Vials should never be prepared in the agitator.
CAUTION  Donotoverllsamplingvials,andconsiderthesamplingdevicethatis
to be used.
CAUTION If sampling is to take place from vials positioned on the agitator, care
must be taken when adding/removing the sampling device.
3.6 Spillage cleaning
CAUTION If liquid does spill onto the agitator cover or heater plate, immediately
turn off the power (even if the agitator appears to be functioning
properly), and contact technical support.
NOTES If spillage occurs inside the vial sampling block (e.g. from a damaged
vial), turn off the power to the instrument and disconnect the power lead
before removing the liquid.

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NOTES If spillage occurs onto the user interface, turn off the power to the
instrument and disconnect the power lead before removing the liquid.
NOTES All users should be trained on how to react if a spill
situation including how to disconnect power from
the agitator.
3.7 High temperatures
WARNING Several parts of the agitator can be operated at high
temperatures, and consequently represent a burn hazard.
These zones include:
■The vial block
■The vial block heat plate (exposed when the vial block
is removed).
These zones are labelled with ‘burn hazard’ labels similar
to the one shown.
CAUTION Always allow the vial block to return to room temperature
before removing it from the heat plate,
CAUTION Always ensure that the heating function is off when no vial block
is present.
3.8 Agitation
WARNING The vial block will agitate during use, and care should always be taken to
avoid injury. In particular, the cover may represent a pinch hazard.

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4. Technicalspecications
4.1 HiSorb Agitator
The HiSorb Agitator does not require any additional space around its exterior. All
movementsarecontainedwithintheproleoftheinstrument,andthereareno
vents. However, the external power supply requires space (see below).
■Height: 14 cm (to top of agitator)
18cm(totopofagitatorttedwithaheatedblockfor16×20mL
vials; other sizes may vary)
■Width: 35 cm
■Depth: 19 cm
■Weight: 5 kg
4.2 Power supply
■Manufacturer: Meanwell
■Model: GS220A24-R7B
■Mains voltage: 100–240 Vac
■Mains current: 4.0 A (max.)
■Voltage output: 24 V
■Power: 221 W (max.)
■Output current: 9.2 A (max.)
■Inrush current: <120 A (cold start)
■Frequency: 50–60 Hz
■Symbols:
■Standards: ANSI/UL 60950-1 CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1 2007
EN 60950-1:2006
■ULlenumber: E183223
■Height: 5 cm
■Width: 9 cm

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■Depth: 21 cm
■Mains lead length: 100 cm
■Low-voltage lead length: 100 cm
4.3 PC
No PC is required to operate the HiSorb Agitator. The USB port is for updates only.
5. Environmental operating conditions
The performance of the agitator can be affected by variation in environmental
conditions caused by heating, air conditioning systems, or drafts.
CAUTION After exposure of the instrument to extremes of temperature or
humidity, allow 2 hours to ensure that the conditions have returned to
the recommended ranges before switching the instrument on.
5.1 Operating conditions
■Recommended temperature: 15°C to 30°C
■Recommended relative humidity: 5–95% (non-condensing)
■Altitude: Up to 2000 m (6561 ft)
NOTES  Higheraltitudesinvalidatethesafetycerticationandperformance
specication.
5.2 Storage and shipping conditions
Allowable temperature: –40°C to 70°C
Allowable relative humidity: 5–95% (non-condensing)

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6. Instrument operation
6.1 Vialblocktting/removal
The vial block locates onto two pins on
the heater plate, and is secured using
xingscrews.Looseningthescrewsand
lifting the block will remove it from
the agitator.
Tottheblock:
[1] Place the vial block onto the heater
plate, locating the pins in the holes
on the underside of the vial block.
NOTES  Thevialblockcantin
any direction.
[2] Tighten the screws in each corner to secure the block to the heater plate.
NOTES During tightening, ensure the block is level (i.e. don’t overtighten
onecornerrst).
WARNING The vial block must be secured to heater plate at all times during use.
Failure to do so may cause injury and/or damage during use.
Step [2]: Securing the vial block on the heater plate.
Corner
screws
Step [1]: Fitting the vial block on the agitator.

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6.2 Setting the agitator
[1] Power-on the agitator.
This displays the home
screen, which shows
the current status of the
agitator. From this
screen the method
temperature, agitation
parameters and time
can be set, as
described below.
Step [1]: HiSorb Agitator home screen.
Set
temperature
Set
timer
Temperature
set point
Elapsed time
Method time
Current
temperature
Agitation speed
StartSet
agitation
[2] Navigate to the ‘Set temperature’ screen by
pressing the icon.
[3] Set the desired temperature (between 40°C
and 90°C) using the arrow buttons.
[4] Press <ON> to activate the heaters.
NOTES Before running the method, ensure that
sufcienttimehaselapsedforthevial
block to heat.
NOTES If the HiSorb Agitator needs to be run
at room temperature, then ensure the
temperature is set to <OFF>.
[5] Press <OK> to return to the home screen.
[6] Navigate to the ‘Set agitation’ screen by
pressing the icon.
Step [6]: ‘Set agitation’
screen.
Step [2]: ‘Set temperature’
screen.

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[7] Set the following functions:
■Agitation speed (50–300 rpm)
■Bi-directional time – the time (in seconds) in each direction before stopping
and reversing.
■Delay – the time (in seconds) the agitation pauses between
changing direction.
[8] Press <OK> to return to the home screen.
[9] Navigate to the ‘Set timer’ screen by pressing
the icon.
[10] Set the method time in hours (HH) and
minutes (MM).
NOTES For continuous operation, set both HH
and MM to zero. In this mode, the
agitator, once started, will continue until
the user intervenes.
[11] Once complete, press <OK> to return to the
home screen.
6.3 Activating the agitator
[1] Once all of the required values are set, the
agitator can be started by pressing the icon.
NOTES Time may be required to allow the
temperature to reach set-point.
NOTES Once the agitator has been started, it
will run until the timer reaches zero. Step [1]: Home screen prior
to running.
Step [9]: ‘Set timer’ screen.

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[2] To stop the agitator at any time, press the
icon.
[3] Pressing will resume the timer from this
point, unless the time values have
beenmodied.
6.4 Temperature display
The agitator status display includes a colour-coded
indicator of temperature, to show if the temperature
is at the required set point:
■Below the set point, the value will display
in blue.
■At the set point, the value will display in green.
■Above the set point, the value will display in red.
6.5 Error states
The agitator has built-in safety functions. If a safety function becomes active, an
error message will appear on screen.
NOTES Please make a note of the error message before switching the agitator
off, because the message may be cleared when the agitator is powered-
off. Contact technical support as detailed below.
NOTES If a heater fault is detected, the agitator will continue to agitate until the
time has completed. Alternatively, the agitation can be stopped using
the icon.
Step [2]: Home screen
while running.
Home screen, showing
temperature below the set
point (blue).

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7. Instrument cleaning
7.1 General points
WARNING Before cleaning the agitator, ensure that it is disconnected from the
mains power.
CAUTION Incorrect cleaning/decontamination could result in damage to the
instrument.
NOTES If unsure of the correct procedure, please consult your local agent or
Markes International for information.
7.2 Cleaning the touchscreen
[1] Clean the touchscreen with a lint-free cloth/wipe.
NOTES  Fordifcultmarks,isopropanol(isopropylalcohol,rubbingalcohol)can
beusedinmoderationandonlybriey.
[2] Before connecting the mains supply, ensure that the instrument is
completely dry.
7.3 Cleaning the cover
[1] Soak a sponge or towel in warm, soapy water (household detergent), and then
wring it out until it is damp.
[2] Gently run the fabric over the cover of the agitator.
CAUTION Do not allow liquid to enter the cover, and do not submerge the base
unit in liquid. The base unit houses the electronic motor and control
system for the appliance, and exposure of these parts to moisture will
cause instrument failure.
NOTES  Fordifcultmarks,asoftbrushcanbeused.
[3] Before connecting the mains supply, ensure that the instrument is
completely dry.

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7.4 Cleaning the vial block
[1] Remove the vial block prior to cleaning, and clean away from the base unit.
[2] Soak a sponge or towel in warm, soapy water (mild household detergent), and
then wring it out until it is damp.
[3] Gently run the fabric over the vial block.
NOTES  Fordifcultmarks,asoftbrushcanbeusedonthecover,andastiff
brush can be used inside the sample vial holes. If necessary, moderate
amounts of cleaning solution can be directly applied to the block.
[4] Before replacing the vial block on the base unit and connecting the mains
supply, ensure that the vial block is completely dry.
8. Contact details
Fortechnicalsupport,pleasecontactyoursupplierintherstinstance.Iftheyare
unable to resolve your query, please contact Markes International’s service
department:
E: suppor[email protected]om
T: [phone]
W: www.markes.com
Please provide your serial number, which is located on the rear of the agitator.
No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means (including electronic storage and retrieval or
translation into a foreign language) without prior agreement and written consent from Markes International Ltd.
Please note that the material contained in this document is subject to being changed, without notice, in future
editions. Markes International shall not be liable for errors or for incidental or consequential damages in connection
with the supply, use or performance of this document or of any information contained herein, unless a separate
agreement between Markes International and the user should take precedence.

QUI-1124
L-0139 (160819-2)
HiSorb™is a trademark of Markes International.