EXPEC 520 Parallel Nitrogen Evaporator
| Brand | EXPEC |
|---|---|
| Origin | Zhejiang, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | EXPEC 520 |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The EXPEC 520 Parallel Nitrogen Evaporator is an engineered sample preparation workstation designed for high-throughput solvent removal via controlled nitrogen gas flow combined with precise water-bath heating. It operates on the principle of accelerating solvent evaporation by disrupting the vapor–liquid equilibrium above sample surfaces—leveraging laminar nitrogen purge across multiple vials while maintaining uniform thermal energy transfer through a thermostatically regulated water bath. This system is purpose-built for laboratories requiring reproducible, scalable, and operator-safe concentration of volatile organic solvents in analytical workflows, particularly prior to chromatographic or mass spectrometric analysis. Its architecture adheres to fundamental principles of heat and mass transfer, ensuring minimal analyte degradation and consistent recovery across diverse matrix types.
Key Features
- High-capacity parallel processing: Simultaneous concentration of up to 60 samples standard; expandable to 80 positions using optional modular racks (e.g., 36-position and 80-position compatible configurations).
- Optimized nitrogen efficiency: Integrated flow control valves and low-dead-volume gas distribution manifolds reduce nitrogen consumption by up to 35% compared to conventional open-system evaporators—verified under ISO 5167-compliant flow calibration conditions.
- Real-time visual monitoring: Triple-sided transparent evaporation chamber with unobstructed bottom-view access; integrated LED illumination enables direct observation of meniscus recession and endpoint detection without interrupting operation.
- Intelligent thermal management: Fully enclosed water bath with PID-controlled heating (range: ambient +5 °C to 99 °C, ±0.5 °C stability) and built-in exhaust ducting to evacuate solvent vapors—designed to meet OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs) for common organic solvents.
- Human-centered interface: Touchscreen HMI with intuitive navigation; one-touch automated water fill/drain cycle initiation; password-protected method storage supporting up to 99 user-defined protocols.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The EXPEC 520 accommodates standard 10–15 mL conical-bottom glass tubes, 13 mm × 100 mm test tubes, and 16–20 mm OD vials with optional adapter inserts. It supports aqueous, methanolic, acetonitrile-, and ethyl acetate-based extracts without modification. The unit complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory electrical safety and incorporates leak-tested gas pathways meeting ISO 8573-1 Class 4 compressed air purity requirements (adapted for nitrogen supply). While not certified for GMP environments out-of-the-box, its audit-ready software logs (including timestamped temperature setpoints, gas flow duration, and operator ID) align with GLP documentation expectations per OECD Series on Principles of Good Laboratory Practice.
Software & Data Management
The embedded firmware records all operational parameters—including bath temperature history, total nitrogen exposure time per channel, and method execution timestamps—in non-volatile memory. Data export is supported via USB 2.0 to CSV format for integration into LIMS or ELN platforms. Optional PC-based software (EXPEC PrepSuite v2.1) provides remote monitoring, multi-user role assignment (admin/operator/auditor), and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures when paired with validated Windows OS configurations.
Applications
- Food safety testing: Concentration of veterinary drug residues (e.g., sulfonamides, tetracyclines), pesticide multiresidue extracts (QuEChERS), and food additive solutions prior to LC–MS/MS analysis.
- Environmental analysis: Pre-concentration of PAHs, PCBs, and organochlorine pesticides from soil leachates and aqueous environmental matrices (EPA Methods 3510C, 3550C).
- Pharmaceutical & forensic toxicology: Sample cleanup in biofluid analysis (urine, plasma); extraction of illicit drugs and metabolites under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited workflows.
- Materials science: Solvent removal from polymer dissolution samples and nanomaterial dispersions where thermal sensitivity and oxygen exclusion are critical.
FAQ
What is the maximum operating temperature of the water bath?
The water bath is calibrated to maintain temperatures from ambient +5 °C to 99 °C, with thermal stability of ±0.5 °C over 8-hour continuous operation.
Can the EXPEC 520 be integrated into automated sample preparation lines?
Yes—via RS-232 or optional Ethernet interface, it supports external trigger signals for start/stop synchronization with autosamplers or robotic liquid handlers.
Is nitrogen pressure regulation built into the instrument?
No; external pressure-regulated nitrogen supply (recommended range: 0.1–0.3 MPa) is required. The system includes inline flow meters and individual needle-valve controls per position.
Does the device support validation documentation packages?
Factory-issued IQ/OQ documentation templates are available upon request; PQ protocol development assistance is provided for site-specific qualification under ISO/IEC 17025 or FDA guidance.
