RAPID DIGESTORS Model 23012 Rapid Digestor-25 without digestion tubes Model 23080 Rapid Digestor - 4 without digestion tubes INSTRUCTION MANUAL Product designs are subject to change without notice © 1998 Labconco Corporation Form 23058 REV H / ECO A652 Printed in U.S.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface 4 General Description 5 Detailed Operational Function 5 Digestion Unit 5 Control Unit 6 Digestion Tubes, Flask Rack, and Retainer Plate 6 End Plates 7 Fume Removal System (Optional Equipment) 7 Specifications Digestor 25 - Place 8 Specifications Digestor 4 – Place 9 Installation 10 Unpacking Operation & General Kjeldah Digestion Procedure General Digestion for Feed, Grain Routine Maintenance Calibration Troubleshooting 10 11 11 13 13 14 Service Main Power Sw
PREFACE Thank you for displaying confidence in us by selecting a Labconco Rapid Digestor. Our design engineers, assemblers and inspectors have utilized their skills and years of experience to ensure that the new Labconco Rapid Digestors meets our high standards of quality and performance. IMPORTANT NOTICE This manual should be read carefully by all the end users in order to become familiar with the operation of the Rapid Digestors.
INTRODUCTION General Description The Rapid Digestors are designed for wet digestions on material such as feeds, grains, soils, plant tissues, water effluent, organic wastes, and food products. These digestions are made prior to analysis for nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, heavy metals, micronutrients, and other materials. The system consists of a control unit, a heating unit with digestion tubes, and a flask rack for transporting tubes.
INTRODUCTION CAUTION: The top surface of the digestor is hot during operation and for a period of time after shutdown. To avoid the possibility of burns, do not touch the surface with bare hands. The exposed surfaces of the unit are made of aluminum finished by a chemically etched process to withstand corrosion.
INTRODUCTION End Plates The end plates are rectangular aluminum plates that attach to the open ends of the flask rack during digestion. Closing the open ends of the rack promotes proper refluxing to wash down the sides of the tubes for complete and efficient digestions. The end plates are removed during cooling, dilution and washing. Fume Removal System (Optional equipment) An optional fume removal system is available to provide removal of the corrosive fumes expelled during a digestion.
SPECIFICATIONS Specifications (Rapid Digestor, 25-Place) 1. 2. Electrical Operating Voltage: 208-240V AC single phase Current (Max.): 16 Amp at 230V AC Fusing: 25 Amp fuses @208 or 240V AC operation Frequency: 50 or 60 Hz Physical Weight: Size Digestion Unit: 78 lbs. Control Unit: 10.8 lbs. Tubes: 9.2 lbs./set of 25 Flask Rack: 3.6 lbs. End Plates: 1.4 lbs.
SPECIFICATIONS Specifications (Rapid Digestor 4-Place) 1. 2. Electrical Operating voltage: 115V AC Current (Max.): 6 Amp @ 115V AC Fusing: 8 Amp @ 115V AC Frequency: 50 or 60 Hz Physical Weight (Shipping): Size: 3. 30 Lbs.
INSTALLATION Unpacking Use caution when unpacking the digestor and accessories to avoid damage. Remove the digestor unit from the carton first and carefully inspect all packing material to insure that no accessories or small parts are discarded by accident. If damage from shipping has occurred, the customer must file a claim with the carrier IMMEDIATELY! Do not return any item to Labconco Corporation without written authorization from the factory.
NORMAL OPERATION Operation and General Kjeldah Digestion Procedure for Nitrate Free Samples 1 - 2 General Digestion for feed, grain, etc. 1. Turn main power switch located on front of controller to ON position. Set temperature to 410°C using temperature set point dial on controller. Allow approximately one hour for unit to reach pre-set temperature (digestor at pre-set temperature when light(s) located on front of digestor is flashing). 2.
NORMAL OPERATION 9. Allow tubes to cool for 5-8 minutes. Dilute digest with approximately 100-ml water when tubes are cool enough to handle. Dilution must be made before a cake is formed from precipitated salts, but not before the digest is cool enough to contain the exothermic reaction. (The cooling period is very important since, in the determination procedure, caking of the salts will cause low recoveries of the nitrogen contained in the cake. 10.
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE Periodic cleaning of the surface is necessary to avoid stains from acid spills. This is best accomplished with a detergent and water solution when the unit is cool. (Disconnect unit from electrical source). It is necessary to keep the cores of the ceramic heaters clear of any foreign material to assure free insertion of the digestion tubes. Calibration: The controller has been factory calibrated and should not require recalibration.
TROUBLESHOOTING Symptom Probable Cause Main pilot light does not illuminate. ON-OFF switch in off position Turn switch to ON position Main power fuse blown or circuit breaker tripped Replace fuse or reset circuit breaker 25 Amp fuse on control unit blown (8 Amp on Rapid Digestor 4-Place) Check continuity of fuse with ohmmeter. Replace fuse if blown. If fuse continues to blow, locate cause. ON-OFF switch defective Replace switch. Refer to Service Section for replacement procedure.
SERVICE Refer to appropriate wiring diagrams or layout drawing for clarification. Main Power Switch Replacement • Disconnect main line cord from receptacle. • Remove the #10-24 machine screws from sides of control unit and remove inner panel exposing switch. • Remove wires from old switch and replace switch. • Rewire new switch referring to wiring diagram located on page 21 of manual. (Refer to page 25 for Rapid Digestor 4-Place wiring diagram). • Reassemble control unit.
SERVICE • Reconnect main power supply. Resistor Replacement • Follow steps 1-5 under “Strip Heater Replacement”. • Remove defective resistor from buss bar and terminal strip. • Install new resistor, retighten screws and reassemble in reverse order. • Reconnect main power supply. Ceramic Heater Replacement • Follow steps 1-5 under “Strip Heater Replacement”. • Remove defective heater from heater containment pan.
SERVICE CAUTION: Do not bend wires or allow wires to fold up between bottom of heater casing and insulator board. Heater and sensor life will be greatly reduced if heater is not installed correctly. • Reconnect heater wires and solder sensor wires to the 2-pin connector. • Reconnect main power supply. • Recalibrate unit by following calibration procedure in Maintenance Section of this manual.
REFERENCES Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Thirteenth Edition, Washington, D.C., 1980. Hambleton, L.G. and Noel, R. J., Journal of the Association of Analytical Chemists, 58; 143-145, 1975. Noel, R.J. , and Hambleton, L.G., Journal of the Association of Analytical Chemists, 59: 134-140, 1976. Semi-Automated Method for Total Protein Nitrogen in Feeds - Applications Wall, L.L., Sr., Gehrke, C.W., and Smith, R.A.
REPLACEMENT PARTS Rapid Digestor 25-Place DIGESTOR - *1 Catalog No. Description 12761 Lens Cap, Red 12762 Indicator Lamp 23034 Heater Assembly with sensor cemented in place 13249 Resistor, 2 ohm 20 W 13459 Strip, Heater 23020 Assembly, Heater 23030-25 Tube Digestion, 250 ml volumetric (Pkg. of 25) 23040-25 Tube, Digestion with NO volumetric marking. (Pkg. of 25) 23051 Flask Rack CONTROLLER - *2 Catalog No.
REPLACEMENT PARTS Rapid Digestor 4-Place DIGESTOR - *1 Catalog No. Description 12767 Lens Cap, Red 12766 Indicator Lamp 13249 Resistor, 2 ohm 20 W 23084 Assembly, Heater 23030-05 Tube Digestion, 250 ml volumetric (Pkg. of 5) 23040-05 Tube, Digestion with NO volumetric marking. (Pkg. of 5) 23097 Flask Rack CONTROLLER - *2 Catalog No. Description 12769 Pilot Light, 120V 13257 Switch, DPST 23124 Control Assembly 23032 Calibration Resistor *1.
WIRING DIAGRAM Wiring Diagram - Controller 21
WIRING DIAGRAM Wiring Diagram - Digestor 22
WIRING DIAGRAM 23
WIRING DIAGRAM 24
WIRING DIAGRAM 25
WIRING DIAGRAM 26
WIRING DIAGRAM 27
WIRING DIAGRAM 28
WARRANTY Labconco provides a warranty on all parts and factory workmanship. The warranty includes areas of defective material and workmanship, provided such defect results from normal and proper use of the equipment.
SHIPPING CLAIMS If a shipment is received in visibly damaged condition, be certain to make a notation on the delivering carrier’s receipt and have their agent confirm the damage on your receipt. Otherwise, the damage claim may be refused. If concealed damage or pilferage is discovered, notify the carrier immediately and retain the entire shipment intact for inspection. Interstate Commerce Commission rules require that the claim be filed with the carrier within 15 days after delivery.
CONTACTING LABCONCO If you have any questions that are not addressed in this manual, or if you need technical assistance, please contact Labconco’s Sales Information at 800-821-5525 and Service Information at 800-5227658, or 816-333-8811 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. Labconco’s mailing address is: Labconco Corporation 8811 Prospect Avenue Kansas City, Missouri 64132 Visit Labconco through the Internet at: http://www.labconco.com or email:labconco@labconco.
