INNOTEG VelaEvap Direct-Blow Nitrogen Evaporator

Overview

The INNOTEG VelaEvap Direct-Blow Nitrogen Evaporator is an engineered solution for precise, reproducible solvent removal in analytical laboratories. It operates on the principle of gentle, controlled nitrogen gas flow directed vertically onto sample surfaces—accelerating evaporation while minimizing thermal degradation and analyte loss. Unlike tangential or vortex-style evaporators, the VelaEvap employs a true direct-blow configuration with programmable vertical needle descent, enabling consistent gas impingement across variable sample volumes and tube geometries. Its dual-heating architecture supports both water bath and dry block (aluminum block) operation, with optional gas pre-heating modules for enhanced evaporation efficiency under low-boiling-point solvent conditions. Designed for routine high-throughput workflows in regulated environments, the system complies with core operational expectations of GLP and GMP-aligned laboratories—particularly where trace-level analyte recovery, inter-sample consistency, and contamination control are critical.

Key Features

• Programmable vertical needle descent: Stainless steel 6 mm guide tubes enable precise, motorized lowering of nitrogen delivery tips; descent speed adjustable in real time to match solvent volatility and sample volume reduction stages.
• Modular nitrogen delivery system: Combines rigid 6 mm stainless steel shafts with disposable pipette tips—eliminating carryover, simplifying maintenance, and ensuring consistent nozzle-to-surface distance (±1 mm positional accuracy relative to tube center).
• Dual heating platform compatibility: Interchangeable water bath and aluminum dry block configurations; optional heated gas module available for elevated gas temperature control (up to 60°C), reducing condensation and improving transfer efficiency for solvents such as dichloromethane or ethyl acetate.
• Tight thermal and pneumatic uniformity: ±1°C temperature deviation across all sample positions; ≤5% flow variation between individual nozzles; optimized flow restrictors maintain stable delivery at 0.3–0.4 L/min per channel—reducing nitrogen consumption by up to 40% versus conventional systems.
• Universal tube support: Adjustable rack system accommodates standard 10–16 mm OD tubes—including culture tubes, GC vials, and conical-bottom centrifuge tubes—without requiring dedicated adapters.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VelaEvap accommodates common laboratory containers used in extraction and clean-up workflows: 1.5 mL, 2 mL, 4 mL, 15 mL, and 50 mL conical or round-bottom tubes. Its design supports residual solvent volumes from 100 µL to 10 mL, making it suitable for post-SPE, QuEChERS, LLE, and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) eluates. From a regulatory standpoint, the instrument’s mechanical repeatability, traceable temperature control (via integrated Pt100 sensor), and absence of consumable internal gas pathways align with routine use in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing labs. While not certified to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, its operational logs (when paired with optional PC interface software) can be configured to meet audit-trail requirements for method validation documentation.

Software & Data Management

The VelaEvap operates via an intuitive front-panel touchscreen interface with embedded firmware supporting multi-step protocols—including ramped temperature profiles, staged gas flow modulation, and timed needle descent sequences. Optional USB or RS-232 connectivity enables integration with LIMS or custom lab automation platforms. All parameter settings, run timestamps, and error events are logged locally with timestamped storage (≥10,000 entries). For compliance-driven applications, optional software add-ons provide electronic signature capability, user access levels, and exportable CSV reports compatible with analytical data review workflows.

Applications

The VelaEvap is routinely deployed in quantitative residue analysis across food safety (pesticide multiresidue screening per EU SANTE/11312/2021), pharmaceutical QC (residual solvent testing per USP ), environmental monitoring (PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides in water and soil extracts), forensic toxicology (blood/bile drug quantification), and clinical research (steroid hormone profiling in serum). Its precision in low-volume concentration makes it especially valuable in metabolomics and lipidomics sample preparation prior to LC-MS/MS injection.

FAQ

Can the VelaEvap be used with corrosive solvents such as hydrochloric acid or trifluoroacetic acid?
Yes—provided stainless steel 6 mm shafts and chemically resistant disposable tips (e.g., PTFE-coated or polypropylene) are selected. Standard tips are rated for common organic solvents; aggressive acids require verification of tip material compatibility.
Is calibration traceable to national standards?
Temperature sensors are factory-calibrated against NIST-traceable references; users may perform field verification using calibrated thermometers per ASTM E74 or ISO 17025 procedures.
Does the system support unattended overnight operation?
Yes—programmable end-point detection is not included, but timer-based shutdown, overtemperature cutoff, and gas flow monitoring ensure safe extended runs when combined with appropriate lab supervision protocols.
What maintenance is required beyond tip replacement?
No scheduled internal maintenance is required; periodic cleaning of water bath reservoir (if used) and inspection of O-rings and gas fittings every 6 months is recommended per manufacturer guidelines.
How does the VelaEvap compare to vortex-type nitrogen evaporators in terms of analyte recovery?
Direct-blow geometry minimizes turbulence-induced splashing and foaming, resulting in higher recovery (>95%) for volatile and thermally labile compounds—validated in comparative studies using benzodiazepines and prostaglandins under identical extraction conditions.