Copyright, Environmental Express, Inc., November 2012

Call 800.745.8218 or 843.576.1147 • www.environmentalexpress.com

SPE-Express Smart Bottle RackOperation & Instructional Manual

Environmental  Express,  Inc.                                                                                Smart  Bottle  Rack  Operation  and  Instruction  Manual      

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Contents 1

Specifications 2

1.0 General Information 3

1.1. Markings 3

1.2. Safety 3

1.3. Installation Requirements 3

1.3.1. Hardware 3

1.3.2. Software 3

1.4. Electrical Requirements 3

1.5. What’s Included 4

1.6. You Will Need 4

2.0 Getting Started

2.1 Unpacking Your Unit 4

2.2 Setting Up Your Hardware 5

2.3 Setting Up Your Software 6

2.4 Sensors 7

3.0 System Operation 8

4.0 Parts List 9

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Smart Bottle Rack

Specifications (Inches)

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1.0 General Information. Please read this section thoroughly prior to installation. 1.1. Markings

V = voltage

AC = alternating current

Hz = frequency

A = amperes

1.2. Safety • The Smart Bottle Rack should be operated under the same electrical conditions as specified by the

SPE-Express. • All liquid containers in the Smart Bottle Rack are operated under pressure or vacuum. Ensure that

pressure and vacuum sources have been disconnected before attempting to change any bottles or tubing.

• Consult the MSDS and hazard labels on all chemicals and reagents before use. Be aware of the potential health and fire hazards and have appropriate measures in place.

1.3. Installation Requirements

1.3.1. Hardware

Place the Smart Bottle Rack on a stable, level surface. The connectors on the side should be within 4 feet of the connections on the back of the SPE-Express. This will allow sufficient room for connecting cables. In addition, the following environmental conditions should be observed.

• Ambient temperature: 5 – 30°C • Ambient relative humidity: 0 - 90% • Altitude: sea level to 2,500 meters

1.3.2. Software

The software that comes with the SPE-Express contains all programming necessary to operate the Smart Bottle Rack. No additional software or computer hardware is required.

1.4. Electrical Requirements

The Smart Bottle Rack operates on electrical power supplied by the SPE-Express. The same electrical requirements for the SPE-Express apply.

• Required Voltage: 120 volts, ~60Hz, 15A • Power should not vary greater than 10%. Use the supplied power cord or equivalent to connect to

the power supply. For safety reasons, a separate power receptacle should be provided for each SPE-Express. Do not use extension cords or outlet adaptors. Make certain that power outlets are earth-grounded at the grounding pin.

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1.5. What’s Included

Box #1

• Smart Bottle Rack • 25 Pin Connection Cable • Reagent Umbilical Cord

Box #2 – Water Miscible Waste Carboy

1.6. You Will Need • Hexane Waste Container (1 liter glass bottle, GL38 threads) and reagent bottles (suggested sizes:

n-Hexane - 4 liter, DI water - 1 liter, Methanol - 1 liter all with GL38 threads) • Nitrogen Source (70 psi minimum / 110 psi maximum). Other inert gases are acceptable. (Supply

hoses must be an Industrial-Shape Quick Connect 0.25” Socket in order to connect to unit). This is the same nitrogen source required for the SPE-Express, you do not need a separate line for the Smart Bottle Rack. NOTE – Do not connect the gas pressure directly from the supply to the Smart Bottle Rack. Doing so will result in unsafe pressure levels within the system and bottles. The SPE-Express has a pressure regulator that will step the pressure down to safe levels.

• Vacuum Source (vacuum connection should be an Industrial-Shape Quick Connection 0.25" Socket in order to connect to the Smart Bottle Rack). This is the same vacuum source required for the SPE-Express, you do not need a separate line for the Smart Bottle Rack.

2.0 Getting Started

2.1. Unpacking Your Unit

Verify all items have been shipped to you and are in good condition. If any items are damaged or missing please call us at 1-800-343-5319. Do not lift the Smart Bottle Rack by the cutouts in the top. Always use two hands; one each on opposite sides of the unit.

2.2. Setting Up Your Hardware

2.2.1. Starting with the Smart Bottle Rack – If you have previously run samples using the default bottle harness please proceed directly to 2.2.2.

• Verify that all pressure lines and vacuum lines are turned off. • Verify that the SPE-Express is powered off. • Place all carboys and bottles in the correspondingly labeled position in the rack. These positions may

not be altered. Each sensor is assigned to a certain reagent and expects a specific container in that location.

• Using the labels attached to the tubing as a guide; attach each of the caps to the appropriate bottle or carboy. The cap should be hand tight on each container.

• Using the labels attached to the tubing as a guide; attach each line in the reagent umbilical cord to the side of the Smart Bottle Rack. There are three luer style connections and three nut and ferrule style connections. The luer lines are vacuum lines and the nut and ferrule lines are pressurized lines.

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All connections should be hand tight only. Over tightening these connections could cause them to weaken or crack and compromise the integrity of the seal.

• Using the labels attached to the tubing as a guide; attach the other end of the reagent umbilical cord to the back of the SPE-Express. The connections are the same style as were connected to the Smart Bottle Rack. All connections should be hand tight only. Over tightening these connections could cause them to weaken or crack and compromise the integrity of the seal.

• Attach the quick connect of the gas pressure from the SPE-Express and the vacuum source to the appropriately labeled barb on the side of the Smart Bottle Rack. NOTE – Do not connect the gas pressure directly from the supply to the Smart Bottle Rack. Doing so will result in unsafe pressure levels within the system and bottles. The SPE-Express has a pressure regulator that will step the pressure down to safe levels.

• Connect the 25-pin cord to the Smart Bottle Rack and the SPE-Express. • Turn on power, vacuum, and gas pressure and log in to the SPE-Express software.

2.2.2. Converting from the default bottle harness • Remove the Reagents Pressure Hose from the SPE-Express unit. (This will allow the SPE-Express

components to retain pressure while the bottles and bottle harness are depressurized). • Loosen the caps on the n-Hexane, Methanol, and DI Water. DO NOT REMOVE CAPS FROM BOTTLES. • Ensure there is a filter cup assembly in place on the swinging assembly and that the swinging assembly

is in the UP (LATCHED) POSITION. • Ensure the lower glass chamber is seated on the upper glass chamber and secured with the glass

clamp. • Enter the Station 1 tab of Manual Screen in the SPE-Express software. • Click to open the “Hexane Waste Sol”. • Ensure that all n-Hexane waste has entered the Hexane waste container and click to close the “Hexane

Waste Sol”. • Click to open the “Water Miscible Waste Sol”. • Ensure that all water miscible waste has entered the water miscible waste container and click to close

the “Water Miscible Waste Sol”. • Click the “Hexane Chamber Rinse Sol” to drain the hexane from the chamber rinse line back to the n-

Hexane source bottle. • Click the “Nitrogen Pressure Sol” button. • Once the n-Hexane is evacuated from the line (Nitrogen will be heard entering the n-Hexane source

bottle), close the Hexane solenoid by pressing “Hexane Chamber Rinse Sol”. • Click to open the “Eluted Sample Path Sol”. • Click to open the “Hexane Bottle Rinse Sol”. • Once the n-Hexane is evacuated from the line (Nitrogen will be heard entering the n-Hexane source

bottle), close the Hexane solenoid by pressing “Hexane Bottle Rinse Sol”. • Click to open the “Methanol Rinse Sol” • Once the Methanol is evacuated from the line (Nitrogen will be heard entering the Methanol source

bottle), close the Methanol solenoid by pressing “Methanol Rinse Sol”. • Click to open the “DI Water Rinse Sol” • Once the DI Water is evacuated from the line (Nitrogen will be heard entering the DI Water source

bottle), close the DI Water solenoid by pressing “DI Water Rinse Sol”.

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• Repeat this process in the Manual Screen for all 3 stations to ensure all chemicals have been evacuated from the tubing lines.

• Carefully remove the tubes within the bottle caps from the sources bottles. Caution: the tubes may contain some residual chemical.

• Remove the top 3 fittings from the back of the manifold using the Fastener Tool supplied with the unit.

• Remove the bottom 3 tubes by twisting the blue portion of the luer fitting clockwise. • The bottle harness should be stored in a dry environment which has low risk of contact with sources of

contamination. • Begin with the first bullet under 2.2.1.

2.3. Setting Up Your Software

2.3.1. Before configuring the software make sure the Smart Bottle Rack is properly connected to the

SPE-Express. From the main screen in the software, run the “Configuration” option. Follow all prompts.

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2.4. Sensors

2.4.1. The sensors are capacitance-based sensors and detect changes in state. For this reason it is

important to keep the sensors free from loose objects coming in contact with them. Do not leave any papers or have any loose clothing hanging near the sensors. Doing so can cause false readings.

2.4.2. The sensors will come calibrated to the standard containers for each position; a plastic carboy for the water waste and uncoated glass containers for the remaining positions. If containers of any other type of material are used the sensor should be calibrated for that material to ensure proper response.

2.4.3. Sensor Calibration

• For sensors located in the body of the Smart Bottle Rack remove the panel screws from the top of the

unit using a 1/8" Allen wrench. For sensors located in the tower remove the side panels screws using a 1/8" Allen wrench.

• Place the empty container of the material to be calibrated in the appropriate section of the Smart Bottle Rack.

• Ensure that the orange head of the capacitive sensor is flush with the container. • Using a long pointed tool (such as a #1 screwdriver) press and hold the sensor “OFF” button for at least

2 seconds, but no more than 6. Confirm that the sensor indicator light is blinking slowly. Release the button and verify that the light is off.

• Fill the container above the level of the sensor with the same fluid that will be in use in that container, i.e. methanol, water, or hexane in the appropriate containers or approximately 2% methanol in water in the waste container.

• Ensure that the orange head of the capacitive sensor is flush with the container. • Using a long pointed tool (such as a #1 screwdriver), press and hold the sensor “ON” button. Confirm

that the orange sensor indicator light is blinking slowly. When the indicator light changes from slow blinking to a quick blinking (approximately 6 sec) the ON state calibration is complete.

• Reattach the panels.

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3.0 System Operation

3.1. The Smart Bottle Rack is in continuous communication with the SPE-Express software. Before beginning a

test the instrument checks the sensor levels. If any of the waste bottles are above the critical level or any of the reagent/solvent bottles are below the critical level the software will give a warning message before the test commences. The critical level is defined as the volume needed for six samples to be processed.

The Bottle Rack Status shows the status of each bottle as OK, or in red when it has reached a crit ical level of EMPTY or FULL and needs attention.

The Bottle Rack Status is also monitored from the Operator Test Screen.

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3.2. To change bottles or add solvent to an empty bottle first disconnect the gas pressure line from the side of the Smart Bottle Rack. Allow sufficient time for the bottle to reach an equilibrium state with the outside pressure. Failure to do so can result in a sudden release of pressure, which could cause injury or damage to the surroundings. Replace or refill/empty the empty/full container and recap. Connect the gas line and proceed with normal operations. All waste should be handled in accordance with the facility’s waste disposal plan.

3.3. If a warning appears for low solvent/high waste it is possible to continue with the operation. The warnings

are designed to indicate when a full set of samples (6) is no longer possible. If less than a full set of samples is being run, the warning can be cleared and the analysis may proceed.

4.0 Smart Bottle Rack Parts List

Smart Bottle Rack G8100

DI Water and Water Miscible Waste Sensor G8108

Hexane, Hexane Waste, and Methanol Sensor G8109

Hexane Tubing G8102A DI Water Tubing G8102B Methanol Tubing G8102C Water Miscible Waste Tubing G8102D Hexane Waste Tubing G8102E

Waste Carboy G3070

Reagents

4L n-Hexane LCCC08005

1L DI Water LCCC08006

1L Methanol LCCC08007