- Unpacking the Instrument-Assembling Oven & Accessonies:
- Ensure that all parts listed in the AQUATEST VA-2010 Manual, SECTION 3* are included. See FIGURES 1through 5 for visual representation of the rear, top, and side views of the VAPORIZER*.
- The VAPORIZER case sits on the top rear of the AQUATEST 2010. Position as pictured on the front cover of the AQUATEST VA-2010 Manual.
- Glassware for use with the VAPORIZER consists of the main oven tube, a glass stopper for the sample entry port and glass boats to carry samples into the oven. Slide the oven tube through the oven so that the middle glass port is at the oven entrance.
- A 3-way vent desiccant tube replaces the single vent desiccant tube in the titration vessel (FIGURE 19). A gas delivery tube (FIGURE 6) directs nitrogen into the titration vessel.
- The oven has an en-cap with a Teflon™ seal (FIGURE 9). The shiny part of the seal must face the oven. This seal should be replaced occasionally to prevent gas leaks.
- Installing Interface (IF) Board:
- To connect the VAPORIZER to the AQUATEST 2010, you have been furnished with an interface (IF) board, (FIGURE 15), and a cable, (FIGURE 10). Remove the “blank” cover on the back of the VAPORIZER and follow instructions in Section 4 for installation of the IF board.
- Desiccant Cartridge Installation:
- Remove the sealing “plugs” from each end of the desiccant cartridge and discard. (These are in place only during shipping (FIGURE 17).
- See SECTION 4 in the VAPORIZER MANUAL for attaching tubing via the threaded Teflon™ fittings.
- Make a tubing connection from the top of the desiccant cartridge to the gas port nearest the oven entrance.
- Make a tubing connection from the PURGE port on the back of the VAPORIZER to the gas port nearest the oven cap. This allows purge gas to exit through the VAPORIZER case.
- Replace desiccant when the blue beads become “pinkish”.
- Setting Date & Time:
- Connect the VA cable into the IF board and the other end into the VA opening on the AQUATEST 2010. Follow Section 4 for installation precautions.
- Connect the platinum RTD (Resistive Thermal Device) to the TMP outlet on the back of the IF board and insert the probe into the top glass outlet on the end of the oven tube.
- Connect the heated transfer line to the bottom glass outlet on the end of the oven tube, The gas delivery tube is connected to other end of this transfer line, directing nitrogen into the titration vessel.
- Adjusting Gas Flow & Temperature:
- After turning on the AQUATEST 2010 and establishing that it is operating properly, press OVEN two times. The display will read OVEN TEMP. Key in the temperature you want, then press ENTER.
- The following sequence of displays will appear; PURGE TM, PREHEAT, COOL TIME, DRY or RDY. Enter any data you wish for each of these, then press ENTER to put into the memory or ESCAPE to return to the titration mode. (Times are entered as minutes and seconds).
- To start the gas flow, turn the 3-way vacuum relief valve to a horizontal position. (FIGURE 3 #5). Adjust the gas flow by observing the symbol at the right side of the temperature displayed on the screen. See FIGURE 22 for a picture of the symbols observed as the flow is changed. An initial suggestion might be a flow of 200 or 300 cm^3 per minute.
- If you do not want gas to flow into the titration vessel, press VALVE to put the oven into the purge condition or turn the 3-way vacuum relief valve to a vertical position.
- As Iong as an oven temperature is in the file memory the oven will be heated. When you want to return to the direct injection mode, enter 0 or CLEAR to remove the oven temperature.
- Titration:
- Weigh a dried boat. Place a sample of the appropriate mass Into the boat and re-weigh, Sample mass is determined by difference.
- Select a sample mass so that at least 50 micrograms of water (last numbers on the right side of the display) is released during the analysis. Increase sample mass until this value is obtained. Operating below this level will severely affect precision.
- Press VALVE on the VAPORIZER to direct purge gas through the purge cycle. In this position nitrogen gas is traveling through the cool part of the oven tube and exiting through the purge exit and into the titration vessel.
- Open the oven end-cap, place filled boat into the oven tube with the magnetic push-rod until it stops at the oven entrance. Re-cap oven tube securely.
- Immediately press START and the analysis cycle will proceed according to the FILE setting. When display reads ADD SAMPLE, press START.
- An example of the analysis of an oil follows. Format 4 is the only result that presents a graph. See the AQUATEST 20 10 Manual for other settings.
* NOTE: All references are to the VA=2010 Vaporizer Manual (Revision B).