Our website "www.duratec.de" is currently under reconstruction - a selection of current price lists & catalogs can be found in the „Downloads“ section.
Our website "www.duratec.de" is currently under reconstruction - a selection of current price lists & catalogs can be found in the „Downloads“ section.
The liquid station is made to run automated dilution and dispensing tasks. It saves time, money and helps to avoid unnecessary mistakes. A two-syringe dispenser and a sample station are fully controlled by an easy-to-use software. Every step is performed quickly and with the highest precision. The two-syringe diluter Microlab 600 from Hamilton can also be used without the sample station as a semi-automated liquid handling system for sample preparation.
The Liquid Station is qualified for for sample preparation in AAS, ICP, GC, HPLC and photometric analysis in the fields of production control, routine analysis, environmental analysis and research.
Liquid Station
Easy automated sample dilution
Operating principle
The DURATEC liquid station includes a two-syringe dilutor and a sample station. Both are connected to each other via a sample tube. The complete fluid path ( diluent aspiration tube to sample needle) is filled with diluent. Racks with filled sample vessels and racks with empty dilution vessels are placed on the sample station.
To setup an individual dilution for every source (sample) and target vial (dilution) a sequence table is used. The respective sequence table can be saved and reloaded for new dilutions. After starting a sequence, the dilutions are processed automatically.
Dilution types
Software
Liquid Station Software – simple & intuitive
The Liquid Station is controlled via Windows software. The software can be installed on PCs, laptops and netbooks with Windows version 7 and higher. Two USB ports are used to control the syringe diluter and sample station.
The software has a simple user interface and intuitive menu navigation, allowing any user quickly and easily to create and run dilution sequences.
The dilution sequences can be saved and reloaded with a wide variety of settings and parameters. A new configuration is not necessary. To exclude samples, mark them as „Not for processing“ within the sequence table.
Classical dilutions are the main application performed with the Liquid Station. Depending on the syringe configurations (10 µl – 50ml syringes) the possible dilution factors are ranging from 1:1 to 1:50.000. In order to achieve a precise dilution, the smallest dispensing volume should not be smaller than 1/10th of the syringe volume.
Dilution series
The same sample can be diluted multiple times by applying different factors. Additionally, dilution series of calibration standards can be prepared.
Serial dilutions
In cases where the syringe configuration does not fit to the required dilution directly, it is also possible to serial dilute with the help of intermediate dilution.
Dilute & standard addition
There are 10 positions for standards available on the Liquid Station. This option can provide you the possibility of adding a standard to the dilution (e.g. as internal standard). Before the sample is drawn up, a defined volume of standard is drawn into the sample needle (optionally over multiport valve).
Fillings
The Liquid Station can also be your assistant for fillings. If the sample volume is set 0, the system will fill the appropriate diluent volume (sequence table) into the according vial.
Mixing
The first mixture step occurs by dispensing sample and dilution medium into the empty target vial. If you prefer a more sufficient mixture the sample can be additionally mixed with the sample needle by repetitive aspiration and dispensing a smaller partial volume.
Air segment
The definition of air segments helps to avoid the mixture of sample (standard) and diluent already in the sample tube.
Drop withdrawal
After the sample needle drove out of the vial, possibly there is a drop hanging on the needle tip. By choosing a withdrawal volume you can draw back this drop into the needle.
Rinse needle
To avoid contamination in two sample vials, the sample needle is rinsed from the in- and outside due to the overflow rinsing port between two dilution steps.
Selection of various diluents (optional)
With a multiport selection valve up to 8 different diluents can be connected.
Selection of various standards (optional)
A multiport selection valve allows up to 6 different standards to be places in separate sample loop.
Inclusion of customer-specific racks (optional)
If sample or dilution vials do not fit in standard racks or the rack of the analytical instrument should be used there is the possibility that racks are linked via rack adapters. In this case appropriate dimensions of the rack are required.
Inclusion of diluter Microlab 500 (optional)
In case that a syringe-diluter of the Microlab series 500 is already integrated in the laboratory, it is possible to link it to the hard- and software of the Liquid Station via a special adapter kit.
Inclusion of several syringe diluters (optional)
For complex dilution tasks or for wider dilution ranges there is the possibility to link two 2-Syringe-Diluters to the Liquid Station.
Bubble detection (optional)
Bubbles in tubings can be detected via an optical sensor and furthermore be documented in the sample sequence.
Applications
The Liquid Station is used for sample preparation in AAS, ICP, HPLC and photometric analysis, mainly in the areas of production control, routine analysis, environmental analysis or research.
A large number of users are involved in elemental analysis. Mostly environmental samples (soil, water, food & feed) or raw materials (e.g. mining) are analyzed.
Another field of application includes routine analysis by HPLC and GC. Many users operate in the chemical, pharmaceutical and life science industries.
Dilutions for elemental/metal analysis by AAS/ICP/ICP-OES/ICP-MS
In the fields of environmental analysis, consumer protection and mining, the samples e.g. metals and heavy metals are mostly analyzed by AAS/ICP/ICP-OES/ICP-MS. Strongly concentrated acids are used to isolate and dissolve the metal ions from the sample. To make the samples measurable for the different analytical systems, they often have to be diluted with different ratios. Due to the inert sample path and the extremely precise dilution, the Liquid Station is ideally equipped for this purpose. The use of the Liquid Station also makes sense in terms of occupational safety. The employee avoids unnecessarily long contact with the corrosive media. While the Liquid Station automatically dilutes the samples, the operator can work on more important projects.
Liquid Station Windows control software for easy connection of a Microlab 500/600 (without Microlab) incl. special connection cables for Microlab 600 and sample station
810924
Sample station PS-C280 with 2 rack positions
810925
Sample station PS-C560 with 4 rack positions
HML635
Microlab 2-Syringe-Pump ML635, without Controller and Tubings, 2 Valves, 2 Syringes of your choice, 220 V power supply
Specifications
Number of rack positions
PS-C280: 2 PS-C560: 4
Standard rack types
Rack 1: No. of samples 6x15 - 13mm diameter Rack 2: No. of samples 5x12 - 16mm diameter Rack 3: No. of samples 4x10 - 20mm diameter Rack 4: No. of samples 3x8 - 25mm diameter Rack 5: No. of samples 3x7 - 30mm diameter Rack 6: No. of samples 5x10 - 12mm diameter (HPLC/GC Vials)
Dimensions
PS-C280: H: 620 mm / W: 355 mm / D: 550 mm PS-C560: H: 620 mm / W: 580 mm / D: 550 mm Microlab 635: H: 366 mm / W: 140 mm / D: 178 mm
X-Y-Z positions (max.)
PS-C280: X: 220 mm / Y: 300 mm / Z: 150 mm PS-C560: X: 420 mm / Y: 300 mm / Z: 150 mm
Weight
PS-C280: 8.1 kg PS-C560: 11.7 kg Microlab 635: 5.9 kg
Fluid path
PTFE, PCTFE, FEP, Borosilicate glass
Volume Sample Tube
approx. 7,5 ml
Interfaces
RS232, USB
Power supply
PS-C280: 100-240 VAC, 37-63 Hz, 1.9 A PS-C560: 100-240 VAC, 37-63 Hz, 1.9 A Microlab 635: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1.5 A
The fluidic path of the liquid station is suitable for a wide range of different media (aqueous, organic, aggressive, highly viscous, gaseous), the wetted parts are made of borosilicate glass, PTFE, PCTFE and PEEK in the standard version.
If the fluid contains abrasive particles, this can cause increased abrasion in valves and syringes or clogging. If possible, use only particle-free media.
DURATEC is a supplier and manufacturer of products and services for the fields of instrumental analysis, chemical analysis technology and technical, industrial or scientific processes or applications.