Shanghai Hengping MTC-11 Electric Heating Wet Digestion System

Overview

The Shanghai Hengping MTC-11 Electric Heating Wet Digestion System is a semi-automated, benchtop laboratory instrument engineered for controlled, reproducible acid digestion of solid and semi-solid samples prior to elemental analysis. It operates on the principle of electrically regulated wet digestion—applying precise thermal energy to accelerate oxidative decomposition using strong mineral acids (e.g., HNO₃, HCl, HF, or H₂O₂) under open-vessel conditions. Designed for routine sample preparation in environmental, geological, agricultural, and food testing laboratories, the MTC-11 delivers consistent thermal profiles across all 15 digestion positions, minimizing inter-sample variability and supporting method traceability in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and EPA Method 3050B requirements.

Key Features

• 15-position digestion block fabricated from high-purity quartz-coated aluminum alloy, resistant to corrosion from aggressive reagents including hydrofluoric acid at elevated temperatures
• Microprocessor-controlled PID temperature regulation with real-time feedback loop, achieving ±0.1 °C stability over the full 20–250 °C operating range
• Independent digital timer (0–99 hours 59 minutes) with audible and visual end-of-digestion alert; supports dual-stage heating protocols (ramp-to-hold or multi-step ramping)
• Front-panel reagent insertion ports enable safe, hands-free addition of oxidizing agents during active digestion without opening vessels or interrupting thermal cycles
• Integrated overtemperature cut-off and dry-run protection circuitry compliant with IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory electrical equipment
• Compact footprint (420 × 320 × 280 mm) optimized for fume hood integration; power input: 220 V AC, 50 Hz, 2.5 kW

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MTC-11 accommodates standard PTFE, quartz, or borosilicate glass digestion tubes (25–100 mL capacity), supporting digestion of soils, sediments, plant tissues, biological matrices, polymers, and metal alloys. Its open-vessel design complies with ASTM D3682–17 (determination of major and minor elements in water by ICP-OES after acid digestion) and aligns with USP heavy metals test preparation protocols. All thermal and timing parameters are manually logged per batch to satisfy GLP documentation requirements; optional RS-232 interface enables external data capture for audit-ready records.

Software & Data Management

As a semi-automatic system, the MTC-11 does not include embedded software or network connectivity. Temperature setpoints, ramp rates, hold durations, and alarm thresholds are configured via intuitive front-panel membrane keys with LED display. All operational parameters—including actual vs. setpoint temperature traces, elapsed time, and status flags (heating, holding, alarm)—are visible in real time. For laboratories requiring electronic record retention, third-party data loggers (e.g., Omega OM-DAQPRO-5300) may be interfaced via analog voltage output (0–5 V DC proportional to temperature). The unit supports 21 CFR Part 11 readiness when integrated into validated LIMS workflows using external timestamped logging.

Applications

• Preparation of soil and sediment samples for ICP-MS, ICP-OES, or AAS quantification of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Hg
• Digestion of plant and animal tissue homogenates for nutritional mineral profiling (Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu)
• Decomposition of polymer composites and electronic waste (e-waste) prior to halogen and heavy metal screening
• Routine digestion of food and feed samples per AOAC 999.10 and EN 13805:2002 standards
• Method development and validation for regulatory submissions requiring documented thermal exposure history

FAQ

What types of digestion vessels are compatible with the MTC-11?
Standard 50 mL PTFE or quartz digestion tubes with conical or flat-bottom geometry are recommended; maximum vessel height: 150 mm.
Can the MTC-11 perform closed-vessel high-pressure digestion?
No—it is designed exclusively for open-vessel, atmospheric-pressure wet digestion; closed-vessel microwave systems require separate instrumentation.
Is calibration certificate included with shipment?
A factory-verified NIST-traceable temperature calibration report (per point: 100 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C) is supplied; annual recalibration is advised per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.5.
Does the unit support programmable multi-step temperature ramps?
Yes—users may define up to two sequential segments (e.g., ramp from 25 °C to 120 °C over 30 min, then hold at 120 °C for 90 min) via manual parameter entry.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Monthly cleaning of the heating block surface with dilute nitric acid and lint-free wipes; annual inspection of thermocouple junction integrity and PID controller response latency.