There are many commonly used small instruments and equipment in the laboratory. If you are not sure how to operate them properly, there may be errors in the analysis data, and in severe cases, the instruments may malfunction and be scrapped. Here are 6 common operating precautions for instruments, recommended for all experimenters to collect and understand!

01 Drying oven

Sample placementSamples should not be placed at the bottom of the studio, and samples on partitions should not be placed too tightly to avoid affecting indoor airflow circulation

Use safetyFlammable and volatile samples, organic solvents, etc. cannot be dried in a general air drying oven, and an explosion-proof air drying oven should be selected

continuous operationIt is not recommended to operate the air drying oven for a long time at extreme temperatures, as it can accelerate instrument aging and increase safety risks

regular inspectionRegularly inspect the ventilation openings, fans, temperature controllers, heating pipes, etc. of the air drying oven for any damage or abnormalities

Customized modificationFor samples with high moisture content, it is recommended to use a drying oven with larger ventilation openings to avoid water vapor accumulation or instrument water ingress

02 Ultra clean workbench

Preheating in advance:Before use, it is necessary to turn on the device 1 hour in advance and turn on the UV sterilization lamp for 30 minutes

Airflow protection:Avoid storing miscellaneous items in the operation area to prevent interference with the clean airflow pattern

Temperature limit:The temperature in the operating area should not exceed 60 ℃ to avoid damaging the high-efficiency filter

‌Filter maintenanceRegularly check the high-efficiency air filter and replace it if the wind speed is less than 0.32m/s

Operating standardsAvoid rapid arm movement and reduce airflow disturbance

03 Centrifuge

‌Balanced symmetryCentrifugal tubes should be placed symmetrically after being balanced in pairs to prevent vibration of the machine body

Check consumablesBefore use, confirm that the centrifuge tube has no cracks or aging to avoid rupture

Natural cessationAfter centrifugation, wait for the rotor to naturally stop rotating and do not force braking

Adapt to the rotorSelect the appropriate rotor and speed range based on the sample type

Urgent handlingIf there is any abnormal noise or vibration during operation, stop the machine immediately for inspection

04 High pressure sterilizer

Container selectionWhen sterilizing liquids, they should be bottled in hard heat-resistant glass bottles, and it is recommended not to exceed 3/4 volume

Safe useChemicals that come into contact with steam media and are prone to explosion or sudden pressure rise should not be used in high-pressure sterilizers

Residual steam emissionsAfter the sterilization liquid is finished, steam cannot be released immediately. The residual gas can only be discharged after the pressure gauge pointer returns to zero

Usage environmentKeeping the high-pressure sterilizer clean and dry on a regular basis can extend its service life to a certain extent

Parts replacementRubber sealing gaskets will age over time and should be replaced regularly

05 muffle furnace

Oven useWhen the muffle furnace is used for the first time or after a long period of disuse, it must be baked again

Open the door for samplingWhen collecting samples, the opening time of the furnace door should be as short as possible to extend the service life of the electric furnace

Furnace crackingCracking of the furnace during the heating process is a common and normal phenomenon, which does not affect the use of the instrument

Instrument cleaningRegularly keep the furnace clean and promptly remove oxides and other substances from the furnace

safe operationDo not suddenly pull out the thermocouple at high temperatures to prevent the shell from exploding

06 Rotary evaporator

Water bath temperatureControl the water bath temperature to be 10-20 ℃ lower than the boiling point of the solvent

Speed regulationAdjust the rotational speed according to the viscosity of the sample to avoid boiling or splashing

Feeding quantity controlThe liquid content of the flask should not exceed 50% to prevent the liquid from being sucked into the vacuum pump

Shutdown sequenceStop rotating first, then release pressure, and finally turn off heating

Maintenance and upkeepRegularly clean glass components and lubricate rotating shafts