Caring for the MICROLAB 500
This page contains instructions on routine maintenance
procedures for the MICROLAB 500, including the following
topics:
Deciding when to clean the MICROLAB 500
Cleaning the fluid path
Cleaning syringes and tubing
Cleaning the exterior of the system
Storing the system
Replacing batteries while saving stored methods
Chemical compatibility of the system
Troubleshooting
Deciding When to Clean the MICROLAB 500
How often you clean the MICROLAB depends upon how you use the instrument and
what you use in it.
We recommend that, if you use the instrument daily, the tubing and syringes should
be purged and primed at the end of each experiment and each work shift. Clean the
system by flushing it with Hamilton Syringe Cleaner, ethanol, or a with a 10%
chlorine bleach and deionized water solution.
Avoid using caustic or acidic cleaning solutions.
*Important Leave the syringes and tubing filled with deionized water overnight. This is important if you are using buffers or other salt solutions which could accumulate or crystallize in the system. If buffers or other salt solutions are left in the fluid path overnight, crystals
may form and damage the syringe plunger tip.
*See "Cleaning the Fluid Path of MICROLAB 500" for complete details on cleaning
the fluid path. If you still have questions, please use our contact page.
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Cleaning the Fluid Path of the MICROLAB 500
Clean the MICROLAB 500's fluid path before using it for the first time. Use
Hamilton Syringe Cleaning Solution to clean the fluid path.
To clean the fluid path, follow these steps:
- Prepare a reservoir of cleaning fluid and place the fill tubing in the cleaning
fluid reservoir. Use a tubing clip to secure the tubing to the side of the reservoir.
- Place the hand probe into the cleaning fluid reservoir or a waste container.
- Press the Step/Prime switch on the drive unit to start the priming cycle.
- Continue the priming cycle until the fluid path is clean. The number of cycles
needed to clean the fluid path will depend on the sizes of the syringes and the
dirtiness of the system.
- When the fluid path is clean, press the Step/Prime switch back to the middle
position to stop the priming cycle.
- Move the inlet tubing from the cleaning fluid reservoir and place it into a
reservoir of deionized water.
- Press the Step/Prime switch to continue the priming cycle.
- Continue the priming cycle until the fluid path is free of all cleaning fluid.
Dispense the rinse fluid into a waste reservoir.
- Press the Step/Prime switch to the inactive position to stop the priming cycle.
- Press the Step/Prime switch to the Step position and advance the syringe drive
arm to the Home position.
- The system is now clean and ready for use.
Note: When priming reagent after a deionized water rinse,
dispense the first shot into a waste container, since it will contain
a certain amount of the water droplets that remained in the tubing
line.
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Cleaning Syringes and Tubing
Warning! Follow your laboratory's safety procedures if you use
the MICROLAB 500 system to handle hazardous
materials.
When tubing and syringes come in contact with contaminated or hazardous samples,
follow safe laboratory practices in selecting and using a cleaning fluid to flush out
the tubing and syringes. Purge, clean, and decontaminate the MICROLAB 500 by
thoroughly flushing out all portions of the tubing and syringes.
Use a cleaner that is compatible with the fluids previously run through the system.
Depending on the sample that is being run, you may want to use de-ionized water,
urea, ethanol, or a 10% chlorine bleach and deionized water solution as a cleaning
fluid.
Clean syringe plunger tips by soaking them in Hamilton Syringe Cleaning Solution.
If you still have questions, contact us here.
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Cleaning the Exterior of the MICROLAB 500
Warning! Follow your laboratory's safety procedures if you use
the MICROLAB 500 system to handle hazardous
materials.
The MICROLAB 500 housing is moderately inert to chemical exposure. However,
some chemicals may discolor the surface of the unit.
If a spill occurs on the instrument's exterior, wipe the surface immediately. Wash
the surface using a damp cloth with water and soap or use a SANI-CLOTH™. Then
dry the area. Take care that liquids do not enter the interior of the MICROLAB
500.
To disinfect the exterior surface, wipe it down with a 10% chlorine bleach and
deionized water solution. Then dry the area.
Note: The cleaning guidelines presented here are meant as
guidelines only. If your particular applications require different
cleaning solutions, contact Microlab Technologies here.
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Storing the MICROLAB 500
For long-term storage, prime and purge the system with methanol to facilitate
drying. Remove the tubes and syringes. Cover the instrument to protect it from
damage. Store syringes in their original containers.
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Replacing Batteries
You can replace the batteries in the MICROLAB 500 and yet save all methods
stored in memory. To change batteries while saving stored methods, follow these
instructions:
Important Read all the following instructions before replacing
batteries. You MUST follow these steps to save
stored methods.
- Make sure the controller is plugged into the base unit. The controller must
remain plugged into the base unit to save stored methods.
- Make sure the base unit is powered on. The base unit must remain powered on to
save stored methods.
- Turn over the controller. Remove the single screw from the battery cover and set
the cover and screw aside.
- Pull out the two old batteries and replace them with two new AA batteries. Be
sure to match the positive-negative symbols on the batteries and on the
controller.
Important - Make sure you install the batteries correctly,
according to the positive and negative symbols. If
you reverse the batteries' positions and power off the
base unit, all stored methods will be lost.
- Replace the battery cover and secure it with the screw.
- You may now power the instrument off, if desired.
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Chemical Compatibility
The MICROLAB 500's fluid path consists of PTFE-based materials and
borosilicate glass. These materials are resistant to a wide variety of acids and
bases at room-to-moderate temperatures. Most chemicals do not affect PTFE at
normal operating temperatures.
Important Do not use the MICROLAB 500 for prolonged periods
at high temperatures with aromatic or highly
halogenated compounds. These compounds may
cause the MICROLAB 's fittings to swell, adversely
affecting performance and reducing the life of system
components. Below is a chemical compatibility chart
If you have any questions about chemical resistance to specific compounds, please
contact Microlab Technologies here. ; check out any unusual or reactive compounds before
using them with your MICROLAB 500 system.
The following table contains information about chemical reactivity with the
MICROLAB 500 system at room temperature.
Legend
- = No data available
0 = No effect, excellent
1 = Minor effect, good
2 = Moderate effect, fair
3 = Severe effect, not recommended
|
 |
| Solvent |
PTFE |
|
KEL-F |
|
|
| Acetaldehyde |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Acetates |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Acetic Acid |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Acetic Anhydride |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Acetone |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Acetyl Bromide |
0 |
|
- |
|
|
| Ammonia |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Ammonium Hydroxide |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Ammonium Phosphate |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Ammonium Sulfate |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Amyl Acetate |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Aniline |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Benzene |
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
| Benzyl Alcohol |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Boric Acid |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Bromine |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Butyl Alcohol |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Butyl Acetate |
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
| Carbon Sulfide |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Carbon Tetrachloride |
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
| Chloracetic Acid |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Chlorine, liquid |
0 |
|
2-3 |
|
|
| Chlorobenzene |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Chloroform |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Chromic Acid |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Cresol |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Cyclohexane |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Ethers |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Ethyl Acetate |
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
| Ethyl Alcohol |
0 |
|
- |
|
|
| Ethyl Chromide |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Formaldehyde |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Formic Acid |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Freon |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Gasoline |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Glycerine |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Hydrochloric Acid |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Hydrochloric Acid (conc) |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Hydrofluoric Acid |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Hydrogen Peroxide |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Hydrogen Peroxide (conc) |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Hydrogen Sulfide |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Kerosene |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Methyl Alcohol |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Methylene Chloride |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Naptha |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Nitric Acid |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Nitric Acid (conc) |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Nitrobenzene |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Phenol |
0 |
|
- |
|
|
| Pyridine |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Silver Nitrate |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Soap Solutions |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Stearic Acid |
0 |
|
- |
|
|
| Sulfuric Acid |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Sulfuric Acid (conc) |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Sulfurous Acid |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Tannic Acid |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Tanning Extracts |
- |
|
- |
|
|
| Tartaric Acid |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Toluene |
0 |
|
1 |
|
|
| Trichloroethylene |
0 |
|
3 |
|
|
| Water |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
| Xylene |
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
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|
