Auto EVA-60 Fully Automated Parallel Evaporator

Overview

The Auto EVA-60 Fully Automated Parallel Evaporator is an engineered solution for high-throughput, unattended sample concentration in analytical laboratories. It operates on the principle of combined water-bath heating and precisely regulated nitrogen gas sweep—commonly referred to as nitrogen blow-down evaporation—to accelerate solvent removal while preserving analyte integrity. Designed for reproducible quantitative concentration across diverse matrices (e.g., environmental extracts, food residues, clinical biofluids, and pharmaceutical formulations), the system supports parallel processing of up to 60 samples per run. Its architecture integrates thermal uniformity, dynamic gas delivery, and intelligent motion control to minimize variability in final volume recovery—critical for downstream quantification by GC, LC, or ICP-MS. The instrument complies with core laboratory quality frameworks including ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for method validation and GLP-compliant documentation practices.

Key Features

• Parallel processing capacity of up to 60 samples per batch, with optional configuration supporting up to 100 positions via modular rack expansion;
• Motorized nitrogen needle descent mechanism that tracks liquid level in real time, maintaining optimal distance (typically 5–10 mm above meniscus) throughout evaporation to ensure consistent mass transfer and prevent bumping or splashing;
• Uniform water-bath heating system with PID-controlled temperature regulation (ambient to 100 °C, ±0.1 °C accuracy), minimizing thermal gradients across the sample block;
• Electronic mass-flow-controlled nitrogen delivery: individual channel pressure and flow rate are dynamically allocated and stabilized, ensuring high inter-run reproducibility (RSD < 2% for triplicate standards);
• Integrated “catch-up” evaporation logic: automatically compensates for matrix-dependent boiling point elevation or surface tension effects during late-stage concentration, enabling direct volumetric finishing (e.g., 1.0 mL or 0.5 mL) within the original collection tube;
• Smart pause/resume functionality: nitrogen needles retract to safe height upon interruption; position memory retains both needle Z-coordinate and bath drawer status for seamless continuation;
• Active ventilation system with dedicated exhaust ducting reduces ambient solvent vapor accumulation, meeting OSHA PEL and ACGIH TLV guidelines for volatile organic compound exposure;
• Physically isolated nitrogen module and water-bath assembly eliminate cross-contamination risk and enhance operator safety during maintenance or cleaning.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Auto EVA-60 accommodates standard 13 × 100 mm, 16 × 150 mm, and 18 × 150 mm test tubes, as well as common SPE elution vials (e.g., 15 mL polypropylene, 50 mL centrifuge tubes). Optional interchangeable sample racks support custom vessel geometries—including microtiter plates and deep-well formats—without tooling. All wetted components are chemically resistant (PTFE-coated needles, stainless-steel bath pan, silicone-free gaskets) and compatible with acetonitrile, methanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, and dichloromethane. The system supports audit-ready operation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated LIMS or ELN integration, and includes full electronic log recording (start/stop timestamps, temperature profiles, gas pressure history, error codes, and user actions).

Software & Data Management

Control is managed via a responsive web-based interface accessible from any network-connected device—PC, tablet, or smartphone—eliminating dependency on proprietary software installations. Predefined concentration methods (e.g., “Pesticide Residue”, “PAH Cleanup”, “Pharmaceutical API”) can be stored, versioned, and recalled with one tap. Real-time dashboards display live temperature curves, individual channel flow rates, and remaining runtime estimates. Export options include CSV-formatted logs and PDF summary reports compliant with ISO 17025 clause 7.8.2 (reporting of results). Remote firmware updates and diagnostic telemetry are supported over HTTPS with TLS 1.2 encryption.

Applications

• Environmental analysis: concentration of EPA Methods 508, 525, and 8081 extracts prior to GC-ECD or GC-MS/MS;
• Food safety testing: post-SPE cleanup of multi-residue pesticide screens (SANTE/11813/2017 compliance);
• Clinical toxicology: preparation of urine or plasma samples for LC-MS/MS quantification of drugs of abuse;
• Pharmaceutical QC: residual solvent removal from active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) batches per ICH Q3C guidelines;
• Forensic chemistry: parallel evaporation of seized drug extracts under chain-of-custody protocols.

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended solvent volume per tube?
The system is calibrated for initial volumes up to 80 mL per tube when using standard 100 mm diameter vessels. For higher volumes, custom rack configurations and extended needle travel options are available.
Does the Auto EVA-60 require external compressed nitrogen?
It is compatible with both high-pressure nitrogen cylinders and on-site nitrogen generators (e.g., Auto EVA-G series). Integrated pressure sensors trigger automatic shutdown if supply falls below 4 bar (58 psi).
Can the instrument be integrated into robotic sample preparation workflows?
Yes—RS-232, Ethernet, and dry-contact I/O ports enable synchronization with autosamplers, SPE robots, and LIMS via Modbus TCP or custom API scripting.
Is dry-bath heating an option?
No—the system relies exclusively on water-bath thermal coupling for superior temperature homogeneity; aluminum-block alternatives are not offered due to documented inconsistencies in low-volume evaporation kinetics.
How is calibration verified?
Users may perform in-house verification using NIST-traceable PT100 probes and certified flow meters. Factory calibration certificates (including as-found/as-left data) are provided with each unit shipment.