FAQ

-Smart Evaporator-

Q1：What is the Smart Evaporator?

A1： This is the evaporator that evaporates the solvent from the sample. In conjunction with the vacuum pump, the sample is concentrated by suction under the reduced pressure, but our proprietary plug “Spiral Plug” dedicates to the concentration without bumping.

Q2：How does that work?

A2： Our evaporator applies the world’s first concentration method “vacuum vortex concentration”. It’s a simple way that the Spiral Plug with the groove is set on the container mouth, and started suction by the vacuum pump. The air entering from the groove at the time of vacuum suction generates vortex air in the container, the sample is stirred by the force, and the increased surface area effectively accelerates the solvent evaporation.  This page will also be helpful for you to understand further.  (How does the Smart Evaporator work? )

Q3：How can it be “bumping free”?

A3： Since the groove is engraved on the Spiral Plug surface, and the inside of the container is kept at a low vacuum, so the pressure does not decrease enough to make solvents boiled. Also the air flowing in from the groove generates spiral airflow and stirs the sample strongly. Therefore, the risk of bumping is minimized. Bumping will not occur unless the solvent is heated to a temperature close to the boiling point.  This page will also be helpful for you to understand further.  (How does the Smart Evaporator work? )

Q4：Anything to prepare to start evaporation?

A4： The sample containers for evaporation, the vacuum pump and the vacuum hose. Set up those with the Smart Evaporator, and it’s ready to start.

Q5：What are the applicable containers?

A5： Containers with the mouth inner diameter of 4-32mm and the height of 120mm or less. You may also want to use the micro tubes or the vials, so you don’t have to transfer the samples between containers. The containers should be prepared separately on your own.

Q6：Can I evaporate under the nitrogen environment?

A6：Yes. This evaporator is capable for nitrogen purging. The nitrogen source should be separately prepared on your own.

Q7：Where can I purge the nitrogen gas?

A7： There is a connecting port for the gas tube on the back side of the Smart Evaporator. The gas tube with the outer diameter of φ6 mm can be used as a standard, but please contact us if you want to use the other sized tubes.

Q8：Do we need the nitrogen for evaporation?

A8：No. The Smart Evaporator enables to evaporate without the nitrogen supply. In that case the normal air condition flows in along the groove on the Spiral Plug to stir the sample. Please select the evaporation condition as preferred.

Q9：Do I have to use the heater for evaporation?

A9：No. Because the power supply of the heater and the pump are separated, the evaporation can be operated without adding heat. However, during the concentration the condensation occurs when the solvent temperature gets lower due to vaporization heat, so in order to increase the concentration efficiency, it is recommended to keep warming the solvent temperature above the room temperature.

Q10：How do I use the heater?

A10：Put the included aluminum beads in the heater pot on the main unit.　　Plug in the power cable on the back into the power outlet and set the temperature with the temperature control panel. The display indicates the temperature of the bottom of heater pot, so it is different from the bead’s surface temperature.

Q11：What should I do if the tube gets spoiled?

A11：You can replace that with the new one. We provide the new tubes as consumable items (sold separately), and this videos will be helpful to find how to replace the tube.

Q12：What kind of devices are in your line-up? What are the corresponding optional items?

A12：Currently there are five different types of the Smart Evaporator. In the respective product pages, you can check their optional items.

Q13：Evaporation does not start.

A13：

– Check if the tubing is appropriately connected. Wrong connection, or damaged tubing could be a cause for inappropriate vacuuming.
– Check the hexagon nut. If turning the valve does not control the flow (e.g. the sample is not stirred), or the valve feels idling, the cause could be looseness of the hexagon nut behind the flow control valve – in such a case, tighten the hexagon nut.
– If there is a possibility that solvent or solid sample had been sucked directly into the pump, it could be that unwanted substance has been adhered inside the tubing or the unit or the vacuum pump causing improper suction. 

Q14：Could evaporation speed be increased?

A14：It depends on the container, quantity and type of the solvent used, and other conditions of the experiment.  However the evaporation speed could be improved by checking the following points:
– Set the temperature of the heater higher: the temperature indicated on the device is not the liquid temperature. The liquid temperature could be lower than the indication because of the vaporization. By setting the temperature higher, the vaporization could be accelerated.  (The temperature can be set at between room-temperature and 100 Celsius.)
– Operate under inert atmosphere: by using inert atmosphere (e.g. nitrogen, argon) or dry gas, the moisture in the air that could delay evaporation is decreased and the vaporization could be accelerated. *Only possible with box-type units (e.g. C1)
– Check the vacuum pump used: in the case the vacuum pump used is not appropriate, the evaporation speed could be lowered. By using an appropriate vacuum pump as shown below, the vaporization speed could be accelerated. *The condition may change depending on the container used.