HAC-24A Automated Nitrogen Evaporator
| Origin | Shandong, China |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Domestic (PRC) |
| Model | HAC-24A |
| Price Range | USD 7,000–10,000 (FOB) |
| Heating Method | Water Bath |
| Temperature Range | Ambient +5°C to 80°C |
| Temperature Stability | ±1°C |
| Sample Capacity | 24 positions |
| Compatible Tube Volumes | 40 mL, 100 mL, 200 mL |
| Nitrogen Flow Rate | 0–15 L/min |
| Heating Power | 800 W |
| Optical Fiber Level Detection | 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL endpoint sensing with audible/visual alarm |
| Timer Display | Digital, programmable (0–99 h 59 min) |
| Exhaust System | High-capacity axial fan with solvent vapor extraction |
| Optional Features | Delayed purge mode, auto-refill water bath (HAC-24B variant), internal water circulation loop, touch-screen interface (HAC-24B) |
Overview
The HAC-24A Automated Nitrogen Evaporator is an engineered solution for high-throughput, reproducible solvent removal in analytical laboratories. Designed around the principle of controlled inert-gas displacement—specifically nitrogen-driven surface evaporation under regulated thermal conditions—the instrument enables precise concentration of liquid samples prior to downstream analysis (e.g., GC, HPLC, LC-MS). Its core architecture integrates a uniform water-bath heating system with digitally regulated nitrogen flow delivery, optical fiber-based endpoint detection, and intelligent process sequencing. Unlike open-vessel evaporation or vacuum centrifugation, the HAC-24A minimizes analyte oxidation, thermal degradation, and cross-contamination by maintaining sample integrity within sealed or capped tubes while applying laminar, vortex-assisted gas flow across individual tube surfaces.
Key Features
- 24-position modular sample block accommodating standard 40 mL, 100 mL, and 200 mL test tubes—no adapter kits required for common labware formats.
- Independent electromagnetic valve control per channel ensures selective activation of nitrogen flow, supporting heterogeneous batch processing and method flexibility.
- Vortex-rotating nitrogen delivery increases effective surface area contact and suppresses droplet splashing—critical for volatile or viscous matrices such as pesticide extracts or plasma supernatants.
- PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heating elements embedded in the water bath deliver rapid thermal response and spatial uniformity, achieving ±1°C stability across the entire 24-well footprint.
- Optical fiber level sensors detect residual volumes at 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL thresholds with millisecond response time, triggering audible/visual alarms and automatic flow cutoff to prevent over-evaporation.
- Digital timer with 1-minute resolution supports unattended operation up to 99 hours 59 minutes; heating deactivates automatically upon completion to eliminate dry-burn risk.
- Integrated axial exhaust system evacuates water vapor and organic solvent vapors continuously, preventing condensate reflux into tubes and reducing ambient lab exposure.
- Quick-release drain assembly enables tool-free water bath maintenance—compatible with routine cleaning protocols required under GLP-compliant environments.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HAC-24A accommodates glass, polypropylene, and borosilicate tubes conforming to ISO 8536-1 and ASTM D3720 standards for volumetric accuracy and thermal resistance. It supports solvent systems including methanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, hexane, and dichloromethane—validated per EPA Method 525.3 and USP residual solvent guidelines. While not intrinsically certified for hazardous location use (e.g., Class I Div 2), its design aligns with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 (HCS) ventilation requirements when operated inside fume hoods or with dedicated exhaust ducting. The instrument meets CE marking criteria for electromagnetic compatibility (EN 61326-1) and low-voltage safety (EN 61010-1), and supports audit-ready documentation for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories.
Software & Data Management
The base HAC-24A operates via front-panel digital controls with real-time display of bath temperature, elapsed time, and active channel status. For enhanced traceability, optional firmware upgrades enable RS-232 or USB-C serial output to laboratory information management systems (LIMS), logging timestamps, setpoints, endpoint events, and alarm triggers. All operational parameters—including temperature ramp profiles, flow rate settings, and delay purge durations—are configurable and stored in non-volatile memory. When paired with the HAC-24B touchscreen variant, the system complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures via user-level access control, audit trail generation, and password-protected parameter modification.
Applications
This evaporator serves critical sample preparation workflows in environmental monitoring (e.g., EPA 8081B PCB analysis), pharmaceutical quality control (residual solvent testing per ICH Q3C), food safety screening (mycotoxin extraction per AOAC 2005.08), clinical toxicology (urine drug metabolite concentration), and forensic chemistry (blood alcohol or illicit drug quantification). Its precision endpoint detection and consistent thermal environment make it particularly suitable for quantitative applications where final volume repeatability directly impacts calibration curve linearity and method LOQ performance.
FAQ
What tube sizes are supported without adapters?
Standard configurations support 40 mL, 100 mL, and 200 mL round-bottom and conical tubes meeting DIN 12331 and ISO 8536-1 dimensional tolerances.
Can the HAC-24A be integrated into robotic liquid handling platforms?
Yes—its external trigger input (TTL-compatible) and serial command protocol allow synchronization with third-party automation controllers for walk-away sample prep sequences.
Is nitrogen pressure regulation built-in?
The unit includes an integrated pressure regulator and digital flowmeter calibrated to 0–15 L/min at inlet pressures of 0.2–0.6 MPa; no external manifold is required for basic operation.
How does the delayed purge function improve analytical recovery?
By extending nitrogen flow for a user-defined duration after reaching the target volume, delayed purge removes trace solvent films adhering to tube walls—particularly beneficial for high-boiling-point solvents like DMSO or glycerol-based extractions.
Does the water bath have over-temperature or low-water safeguards?
The base HAC-24A includes over-temperature cutoff; the HAC-24B variant adds ultrasonic water level sensing with automatic shutdown and visual alarm if bath volume falls below operational minimum.
