TAITEC SR-2EW / SR-2ES Separatory Funnel Shaker

Overview

The TAITEC SR-2EW and SR-2ES Separatory Funnel Shakers are precision-engineered laboratory instruments designed for reproducible, high-throughput liquid–liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction (SPE) sample preparation, oil–water separation in petrochemical analysis, and lipid extraction using Soxhlet apparatus. These shakers operate on a patented SS-type silent rocking mechanism—eliminating sliding rails, rolling bearings, or vertical reciprocating components—to deliver stable, low-vibration oscillation with acoustic output limited to ≤45 dB(A), comparable to ambient noise in a quiet library. Unlike conventional orbital or rotary shakers, the SR-2 series employs a controlled reciprocal motion with fixed 40 mm amplitude, ensuring uniform energy transfer across heterogeneous mixtures without splashing or emulsion instability. The system supports dual-mode operation: vertical oscillation (SR-2EW, SR-2DW) and 90°-rotatable horizontal oscillation (SR-2ES, SR-2DS), enabling compatibility with both standard separatory funnels and specialized extraction vessels such as Soxhlet thimbles when paired with optional platforms.

Key Features

• SS Silent Rocking Mechanism: Frictionless, gear-driven rocking motion ensures mechanical stability, minimal wear, and consistent torque delivery across full speed range (50–300 rpm); eliminates resonance-induced drift during prolonged operation.
• Ergonomic Ratchet-Type Funnel Clamping System: Four-point screw fixation enables rapid, tool-free installation of separatory funnels ranging from 50 mL to 2 L; clamping force is uniformly distributed regardless of funnel geometry (pear-shaped, spherical, or double-cone).
• Triple Timing Modes: Digital timer supports continuous oscillation, interval oscillation (e.g., 30 min ON / 5 min OFF cycles), and delayed-start programming—enabling unattended overnight extractions with automatic termination and audible alert.
• Dual-Side Load Configuration: Standard SR-2EW accommodates up to 10 funnels (5 per side); SR-2ES allows horizontal orientation with identical load capacity, facilitating integration into fume hood workflows or benchtop Soxhlet setups.
• Modular Platform Architecture: Interchangeable mounting interfaces support over 15 accessory platforms—including HE-series funnel holders, A/C/C½ tube racks, B-type Erlenmeyer stands, and E-type spring-grid trays—ensuring adaptability across ISO/IEC 17025-compliant analytical workflows.
• Robust Structural Integrity: Cast-aluminum chassis and reinforced steel frame prevent lateral displacement under maximum load (7.5 kg per side); non-slip rubber feet maintain positional fidelity on laminar flow benches or vibration-sensitive surfaces.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SR-2 shaker family meets fundamental mechanical and operational requirements for regulated sample preparation in environmental, food safety, and pharmaceutical testing laboratories. While not intrinsically temperature-controlled, its mechanical design supports protocols aligned with EPA Method 3510C (liquid–liquid extraction), AOAC Official Method 996.06 (fat extraction), and ASTM D2240 (polymer solubility testing). All accessories—including HE-3, HE-5, FU-1R, and B-type flask adapters—are manufactured to ISO 9001-certified tolerances, ensuring repeatable positioning and seal integrity during phase separation. The absence of electronic heating elements renders the unit suitable for use in Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations where thermal ignition risk must be minimized. No firmware or embedded software requires FDA 21 CFR Part 11 validation; however, timing logs generated via external data loggers may be incorporated into GLP/GMP audit trails when configured with timestamped CSV export.

Software & Data Management

The SR-2EW and SR-2ES operate via an embedded microcontroller with no onboard operating system, network interface, or cloud connectivity. All timing parameters—including setpoint duration, elapsed time, interval cycles, and start delay—are displayed on a dual-line LCD panel with LED backlighting. Timekeeping accuracy is maintained within ±0.5% over 99-hour intervals, traceable to internal quartz oscillator calibration. For laboratories requiring electronic record retention, optional RS-232 or USB-to-serial adapters (sold separately) enable real-time logging of run metadata—including date/time stamps, speed settings, and cycle completion status—to external PCs running validated LIMS or ELN systems. No proprietary drivers or closed-format databases are employed; raw output follows ASCII-delimited plain-text conventions compatible with Python pandas, MATLAB, or LabArchives ingestion pipelines.

Applications

• Pesticide residue analysis in soil and plant matrices per EN 15662:2018, where consistent agitation prevents analyte degradation during dichloromethane–water partitioning.
• Fat quantification in dairy and meat products using AOAC 991.36 methodology, with SR-2ES horizontal mode enabling direct coupling to Soxhlet extractors for continuous reflux-assisted lipid mobilization.
• Heavy metal speciation in wastewater via chelation-based liquid–liquid extraction, where low-noise operation minimizes cross-contamination risk in shared analytical suites.
• Preparative-scale purification of natural product isolates, leveraging HE-5W adapter compatibility with 200–500 mL pear-shaped funnels for scalable partition coefficient determination.
• Quality control of surfactant formulations in cosmetics manufacturing, where interval oscillation allows controlled bubble dissipation prior to centrifugation—reducing interfacial artifact formation in HPLC sample vials.

FAQ

Can the SR-2ES perform true horizontal orbital shaking?
No—the SR-2ES rotates its entire drive assembly 90° to convert vertical reciprocal motion into horizontal plane oscillation. It does not generate circular or elliptical trajectories; motion remains linear and bidirectional at fixed 40 mm amplitude.
Is the 7.5 kg load rating per funnel or total per side?
The 7.5 kg rating includes the mass of all mounted funnels, adapters, and platform hardware combined per side. Overloading may compromise amplitude consistency and accelerate bearing fatigue.
Are HE-series adapters compatible with legacy SR-2S/SR-2W units?
Yes—mechanical mounting dimensions and bolt patterns remain unchanged across SR-2 generations, ensuring backward compatibility with all HE-3, HE-5, and FU-series accessories.
Does the shaker meet IP rating requirements for wet-lab environments?
The unit carries no formal IP classification; however, its sealed motor housing and elevated PCB layout provide resistance to incidental splashes. It is not rated for immersion or continuous high-humidity exposure (>80% RH).
Can interval timing be programmed to synchronize with autosampler injection schedules?
While the internal timer lacks external trigger inputs, the audible end-of-cycle beep and visual LED indicator allow manual initiation of downstream instrumentation. Integration with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) is feasible via optional dry-contact relay modules.