ATR S60 Automatic Concentrator
| Brand | ATR |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | S60 |
| Instrument Type | Automatic Quantitative Concentrator |
| Temperature Range | Ambient to 99°C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±0.5°C |
| Sample Volume Capacity | 0–60 mL |
| Heating Method | Water Bath (Manufactured in Singapore) |
| Power Rating | 800 W |
| Gas Flow Rate | 0–8 L/min |
| Compatible Tube Sizes | 1.5 mL to 50 mL |
| Application Fields | Environmental (EPA), Pharmaceutical (FDA, USP), Clinical (CDC), Food Safety, Academic Research, and Chemical Analysis |
Overview
The ATR S60 Automatic Concentrator is an engineered solution for precise, reproducible solvent evaporation in regulated laboratory environments. Based on controlled nitrogen or inert gas purging combined with uniform water-bath heating, the S60 employs a closed-loop thermal management system to maintain stable temperature profiles across all sample positions. Unlike open-air dry-down systems, its integrated gas dispersion manifold ensures laminar, low-velocity gas flow over each vial surface—minimizing splashing, cross-contamination, and analyte oxidation while maximizing recovery of volatile and thermolabile compounds. Designed for compliance-critical workflows, the S60 operates within a validated temperature range of ambient to 99°C with ±0.5°C stability, making it suitable for residue analysis per EPA Method 502.2, pesticide quantification per AOAC 2007.01, and residual solvent testing aligned with ICH Q3C guidelines.
Key Features
- Quantitative endpoint detection via real-time gas flow modulation and thermal feedback—no manual intervention required
- Water-bath heating system (Singapore-manufactured) delivers superior thermal uniformity vs. dry-block alternatives, reducing hot-spot formation and improving inter-vial reproducibility
- Independent gas flow control (0–8 L/min) with mass-flow sensor calibration traceable to NIST standards
- Programmable concentration protocols supporting time-based, sensor-triggered, or hybrid (sensor + timer) termination logic
- Robust stainless-steel chassis with IP22-rated electronics enclosure for long-term reliability in humid or high-salt environments (e.g., environmental labs)
- Pre-configured method templates for EPA 525.3 (drinking water), FDA BAM Chapter 18 (mycotoxins), and USP <467> (residual solvents)
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The S60 accommodates tubes from 1.5 mL microcentrifuge to 50 mL conical formats, including borosilicate glass, polypropylene, and screw-cap vials with PTFE-lined septa. Its water-bath design enables safe concentration of aqueous matrices, methanol/water mixtures, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane—though chlorinated solvents require optional corrosion-resistant gas manifolds. The instrument meets CE marking requirements under Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD). For GxP environments, audit trail functionality (via optional software module) supports 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, including electronic signatures, user access tiers, and immutable method/version logging. All thermal calibration certificates are issued with ISO/IEC 17025-accredited traceability.
Software & Data Management
The S60 operates standalone via intuitive front-panel controls or integrates with ATR Connect™ PC software (Windows 10/11, 64-bit) for remote scheduling, multi-instrument fleet monitoring, and CSV/PDF report generation. Software modules include GLP-compliant data archiving with SHA-256 hashing, automatic backup to network drives or NAS devices, and customizable pass/fail criteria for final volume verification. Method files store full parameter sets—including ramp rates, hold times, gas pressure setpoints, and sensor thresholds—with version history and change logs. Exported datasets retain metadata tags for LIMS ingestion (ASTM E1578-compliant format).
Applications
- Environmental testing: Pre-concentration of VOCs and SVOCs in drinking water (EPA 524.4, 8260D) and wastewater (EPA 1664B)
- Pharmaceutical QC: Residual solvent removal prior to HPLC/GC analysis per ICH Q3C Class 2/3 limits
- Food safety: Multi-residue pesticide extraction cleanup (QuEChERS) followed by gentle nitrogen blow-down
- Clinical toxicology: Urine drug screening sample prep with minimal analyte degradation (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids)
- Academic research: Metabolite enrichment from cell culture supernatants or tissue homogenates without vacuum-induced denaturation
FAQ
Does the S60 support unattended overnight operation?
Yes—the system includes hardware-level overtemperature cutoff, gas flow loss detection, and auto-shutdown after protocol completion. Optional UPS integration extends runtime during brief power interruptions.
Can the S60 be validated for GMP use?
Yes—ATR provides IQ/OQ documentation packages compliant with ASTM E2500 and Annex 11. Installation qualification covers bath level sensors, temperature probe calibration, and gas flow linearity verification.
Is method transfer possible between S60 and higher-throughput models (e.g., S96)?
Yes—ATR’s unified control architecture ensures identical PID algorithms, gas dispersion physics, and endpoint logic across the S-series platform, enabling direct parameter scaling with <5% RSD deviation in recovery studies.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Water-bath fluid replacement every 6 months; gas filter cartridge replacement every 12 months or 2000 operating hours; annual NIST-traceable temperature and flow calibration.
Does the S60 comply with ISO 17025 requirements for accredited testing labs?
Yes—when used with ATR-certified calibration kits and documented preventive maintenance logs, the S60 satisfies ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4.10 (equipment suitability) and clause 7.7 (result validity).
