TA Instruments Nano ITC Series Getting Started Manual

TA Instruments Nano ITC Series Getting Started Manual Manual pdf 33 page image

Nano ITC Getting Started Guide Page 33Cleaning the Nano ITCA scrupulously clean sample cell is essential in order to obtain meaningful titration data. Because the reac-tion vessel is non-removable, the filling syringe may be used to repeatedly flush the cell. When a more rig-orous cleaning is needed, the cleaning adapter (see the figure below) allows you to easily flush largevolumes of fluid through the cell. The Nano ITC Low Volume instrument is shipped with a cleaning toolthat features a shorter needle. In both the Low Volume and Standard Volume ITC instruments, inadequatecleaning will result if the incorrect cleaning tools are used.Figure 18 Cleaning adapterThe cell should be cleaned immediately following an experiment, then rinsed with buffer to condition it forthe next experiment. Fill the cells with pure deionized water between experiments to prevent contamina-tion from drying the cell walls.The cleaning tool is used as follows:1 Ensure that the instrument temperature is adjusted to near ambient temperatures (20–30°C) before startingthe cleaning process.2 Remove the buret assembly and syringe from the top opening of the Nano ITC, and withdraw the cellcontents using the filling syringe.3 Carefully lower the shaft into the cell opening.4 Connect the length of 1/16-inch I.D. Manosil silicone rubber tubing provided to the side port of thecleaning tool, as seen in the figure below.Figure 19 Tubing connected to cleaning tool.5 Place the free end of this tube in a beaker of clean deionized or distilled water.6 Connect another length of tubing to the top port leading to a vacuum flask which is connected to avacuum pump or the degassing station, set for cleaning.7 Apply a vacuum to draw the water through the system and flush the cell.