Solvent evaporation – two different solutions for the organic chemistry laboratory

Analytix offers two contrasting techniques for solvent evaporation for the laboratory - rotary evaporators and concentrator systems. Both techniques provide similar results but differ in the functionality offered.

Rotary evaporators

Rotary evaporators are must-have systems for any organic chemistry laboratory as they provide an ideal solution for routine evaporation processes. A range of LabTech rotary evaporator systems is available from Analytix that have multiple built-in safety features including flask autolift in the event of a power failure, bath auto shutdown in the event of low water level, and an innovative bath design to prevent corrosion and splashing.

The evaporators are available with a wide range of glassware and flask sizes with vertical or diagonal condensor – plastic coated for additional safety. An integral colour digital display monitors and controls temperature and rotation speed from 20–300 rpm. Systems incorporate a motorised vertical lift, capability for evaporation flasks up to 3 litres, and on-line sample addition.

The separate heating bath is suitable for both water or oil and features self-calibration with a temperature range from ambient to 230°C. The digital rotation speed control and bath temperature display ensure accurate and stable system operation. Options include a range of chillers and vacuum pumps.

Concentrators

Concentrators (nitrogen blowdown concentrators) are becoming increasingly used as an alternative to rotary evaporators due to both the speed of evaporation and space saving in the laboratory. Solvent evaporation is accelerated by decreasing the partial vapour pressure of the solvent just above the surface of the liquid. The systems use a heated water bath or dry block heating with programmable temperatures and a nitrogen purge to provide high speed evaporation. The nitrogen purge and evaporated solvent are removed safely using either an integral exhaust system that can be connected to the laboratory extraction system or fume hood or can be used in a fume hood.

A range of four Labtech laboratory concentrators is available from Analytix that provide solvent evaporation from 6, 10, 64 samples with a wide variety of volumes up to a system for 96 position well plates.

MultiVap 6

The MultiVap 6 is a basic, cost effective concentrator with 6 independent channels. The nitrogen flow rate of each channel can be adjusted independently and the flow needles can be adjusted up and down for optimum evaporation.

The aluminium alloy heating block guarantees temperature uniformity for all samples and has a temperature range ambient to 120°C. The system can be used for samples up to 40ml with parallel concentration and an option for 2ml vials.

MultiVap 10

The new MultiVap 10 is an automatic parallel system that supports simultaneous evaporation for 10 samples with 50 and 200ml cups and an automatic detection of liquid endpoint with infrared sensors. The system can evaporate to a solid state or concentrate into a fixed end-point volume.

The liquid bath provides uniform and precise heating with a temperature range ambient to 70°C. The system has a vortex nitrogen purge with adjustable location and direction of needles and a digital regulator to control nitrogen flow and evaporation speed. The system includes touch screen control with alarm for endpoint of each evaporation sequence

MultiVap 64

The new MultiVap 64 is a multi-channel and multifunctional parallel instrument with up to 64 channels.  Optional racks offer concentration in a wide variety of vials from 2ml GC vials, 10ml, 15ml, 40ml, up to 50ml vials with an automatic adjustment of needle according to sample volume reduction.

The liquid bath ensures uniform heating from ambient to 100°C and the touch screen control includes low level alarm. With an integrated vapour extraction facility, the system can be used outside the fume hood.

MultiVap 96

The MultiVap 96 is designed for 96 position well plates for sample concentration with high throughput. The system includes advanced direct nitrogen heating technique so samples can be heated up quickly to the evaporation point and operates from ambient to 80°C

For further information please contact us.