Product Information, Sample Concentration Options
/ David Oliva
Why a MULTIVAP is better than an N-EVAP for batch evaporation
The N-EVAP nitrogen evaporator is Organomation’s most well-known product and continues to be a trusted sample preparation tool for drying down liquid samples held in test tubes. The N-EVAP was the first multiple sample evaporator available for sale and has earned its reputation over several decades as a flexible and reliable laboratory instrument.
The unit’s flexibility centers on the sample holder which adapts to fit a wide range of sample vials. Additionally, the technician is able to control the flow of nitrogen air, both the amount of nitrogen and the needle (or pipette) placement above each sample, giving the chemist the ability to customize the evaporation for each sample loaded into the unit. The only input which has to be constant across all sample positions is the heat whose uniformity is rigorously validated by Organomation.
Combining all of these factors, it is no wonder that N-EVAP has become a stalwart of academic and research laboratories needing to prepare different size samples which require individual nitrogen settings. The beauty of the N-EVAP is that excess solvent can be removed from these diverse samples all at the same time. As the samples have different starting volumes, process parameters and ending volumes, each vial will be fully prepared at a different time.
While this flexibility can be perfect for preparation of diverse samples, this is not an optimal tool for preparing identical samples where the uniform conditions are paramount. Restated, the same features that contribute to the flexibility of the N-EVAP also make batch evaporation more difficult.
Due to analytical and environmental laboratories being pushed to deliver more test results each day, Organomation created the MULTIVAP line of parallel evaporators. These evaporators allow laboratories to prepare identical samples with ease. The smallest unit can dry down 48 samples at a time while the highest capacity evaporator can dry 100 samples at once. Organomation offers both water bath and dry block models to ensure that the right temperature, typically 10 degrees below the boiling point of the solvent, can be applied to speed the evaporation process.
All gas delivery needles on MULTIVAP units are connected to a singular manifold, that is expertly designed to provide even pressure and flow to each sample position. This ensures consistent evaporation rates across large batches of identical samples, so that they all dry down at the sample pace. Once a batch is complete, gas flow can be shut off with just one switch, and the nitrogen manifold can be lifted up and away from the samples. The MULTIVAP is then ready for the next batch.
To make things even easier, all MULTIVAP units include a digital timer that can be used to automatically start or stop the heat/gas flow. Since batch evaporation consists of samples with the same starting volume and process parameters, users are able to record the exact amount of time needed per evaporation cycle. With this information, the MULTIVAP's timer can be used to automatically shut off the gas and heat at the perfect moment for a semi-unattended operation.
Already have an N-EVAP and want to use it as a batch evaporator? No problem! Read Organomation's tips for using an N-EVAP as a parallel evaporator to find out how you can fully utilize your existing unit. Organomation's sales team is always available for assistance through email, phone, or virtual live chat.