Organomation Microvap Series Nitrogen Evaporator
| Brand | Organomation |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | Microvap Series (e.g., 11801, 11803) |
| Heating Method | Dry-block heating |
| Temperature Range | 40–130 °C |
| Temperature Stability | ±0.5 °C |
| Sample Format | 96-well microtiter plates |
| Gas Flow Rate | 0–30 LPM |
| Heating Power | 400 W |
| Certifications | UL Listed |
Overview
The Organomation Microvap Series Nitrogen Evaporator is a precision-engineered dry-block evaporation system designed for high-throughput solvent removal from biological, pharmaceutical, and analytical chemistry samples in 96-well microtiter plate format. Utilizing controlled nitrogen gas flow directed through individually adjustable stainless-steel needles onto sample wells, the system achieves rapid, uniform, and residue-free concentration or complete evaporation of small-volume (typically 50–200 µL) aqueous or organic solutions. Its solid aluminum heating block delivers stable thermal energy across the entire plate surface, enabling reproducible evaporation kinetics even with high-boiling-point solvents such as DMSO, DMF, or ethyl acetate. Engineered for integration into regulated laboratory environments, the Microvap Series complies with UL safety standards and supports temperature-critical workflows requiring trace-level analyte recovery—common in LC-MS sample preparation, ELISA assay development, metabolomics, and high-throughput drug discovery pipelines.
Key Features
- Dry-block aluminum heating module with precise digital PID temperature control (±0.5 °C stability over 40–130 °C range)
- Individual 2-inch × 19-gauge stainless-steel evaporator needles—replaceable, corrosion-resistant, and pressure-rated for continuous operation at up to 150 psig inlet pressure
- Independent gas flow regulation per needle array via integrated mass-flow optimized manifold, supporting 0–30 LPM total nitrogen delivery
- UL-listed electrical architecture with automatic over-temperature cutoff and grounded metal housing for lab safety compliance
- Compact footprint (25.4 × 27.9 × 36.5 cm for single-plate model 11801) optimized for benchtop use in ISO Class 5–7 cleanrooms or QC laboratories
- LED-display digital controller with real-time temperature readout, setpoint memory, and ramp/soak programming capability
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Microvap Series is validated for use with standard ANSI/SBS-compliant 96-well microtiter plates (5 × 11 cm footprint), including polypropylene, polystyrene, and low-binding formats. It accommodates common assay volumes without cross-contamination risk due to non-contact gas dispersion geometry and rigid needle alignment. The system meets UL 61010-1 requirements for laboratory electrical equipment and is routinely deployed in GLP- and GMP-aligned laboratories where instrument qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) is performed per ASTM E2500 and FDA guidance. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, its analog temperature control and mechanical gas regulation support audit-ready documentation when paired with external electronic lab notebook (ELN) systems or validated data loggers.
Software & Data Management
The Microvap Series operates via embedded digital electronics with no proprietary software dependency. All operational parameters—including set temperature, actual block temperature, and elapsed run time—are displayed on the front-panel LED interface. For laboratories requiring electronic record retention, optional external USB or RS-232 data loggers (e.g., Omega OM-DAQPRO-5300 series) may be interfaced to capture timestamped temperature profiles and validate thermal consistency across batches. No firmware updates or cloud connectivity are implemented; this design prioritizes deterministic behavior, long-term calibration stability, and minimal validation burden in regulated settings.
Applications
- Concentration of peptide digests prior to MALDI-TOF or nano-LC-MS/MS analysis
- Removal of acetonitrile or methanol from ELISA wash buffers during plate-based immunoassay optimization
- Parallel evaporation of extracted plasma samples in bioanalytical method development (e.g., PK/PD studies)
- Preparative cleanup of combinatorial library fractions in medicinal chemistry workflows
- Routine solvent exchange steps in nucleic acid purification protocols (e.g., ethanol precipitation follow-up)
- Stability-indicating evaporation of reference standards under controlled thermal conditions per ICH Q5C guidelines
FAQ
What microtiter plate formats are supported?
The Microvap Series is configured exclusively for ANSI/SBS-standard 96-well plates (5 × 11 cm base dimension); custom adapters for 384-well or deep-well plates are not available.
Is nitrogen gas purity specified?
For optimal performance and to prevent oxidation or contamination, instrument operation requires ≥99.5% pure nitrogen with dew point ≤−40 °C; oil-free, particle-filtered supply lines are strongly recommended.
Can the system be used with corrosive solvents such as TFA or HCl-containing buffers?
While the stainless-steel needles and aluminum block resist mild acidity, prolonged exposure to >0.1% TFA or volatile mineral acids may accelerate surface passivation; routine cleaning with deionized water post-run is advised.
Does the unit include a nitrogen generator?
No—Microvap systems require connection to an external nitrogen source (cylinder or lab-grade generator) delivering 30–150 psig inlet pressure and regulated to ≤30 psig at the instrument inlet port.
How is temperature calibration verified?
Users may perform field verification using a NIST-traceable PT100 probe inserted into designated calibration ports on the aluminum block; Organomation provides calibration certificate templates aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation practices.
