PHOTOVOLT TECHNICAL NOTE
Aquatest 10 And Vaporizer Accessory
(NOTE: FOR REFERENCE ONLY, THE Aquatest 10 has been replaced by the AQ2010 model)

1. Unpacking the Instrument and Assembling Oven and Accessories

1.1 Ensure that all parts listed in the AQUATEST VA-10 MANUAL, SECTION 3*are included. See FIGURES 1 through 3 for visual representation of the rear, top, and side views of the VAPORIZER.

1.2 Glassware for use with the VAPORIZER consists of the main oven tube, a glass topper for the sample entry port, and glass sample boats.

1.3 Lightly grease before placing the ground glass joints in place.

1.4 A three-way vent dryer tube replaces the single vent dryer tube in the vessel of the AQUATEST 10. See FIGURE 6.

1.5 A glass gas delivery tube will fit into one of the openings to the titration vessel. See FIGURE 4.

1.6 FIGURE 7 shows a sample chamber to be used for sample introduction through the sample introduction port.

1.7 See FIGURE 8 for the end-cap used to seal the oven. This must always be tightly screwed into the oven end to produce a gas tight closure. (Replace occasionally to maintain a tight fit).

2. Installing Interface (IF) and Gas Dispersion Heater Cable

2.1 The VAPORIZER case sits on the top rear of the AQUATEST 10. Position it as pictured on the front cover of the AQUATEST VA-10 MANUAL.

2.2 To use the VAPORIZER with the AQUATEST 10, you have been furnished with an interface board (IF) and cable. Remove the "blank" cover on the back of the AQUATEST 10, FIGURE 10 (labeled quick connect pins) by pulling straight out. Replace with the IF board. See FIGURE 9.

2.3 The VAPORIZER must now be connected to the AQUATEST 10 base unit. * All references are to the VA-10 and VA-10 Vaporizer Manuals.

3. Connecting the Vaporizer Accessory to the Base Unit

3.1 The desiccant cartridge is placed in position on the back of the oven. See FIGURE 10. When the indicator beads become pink, replace with a fresh cartridge.

3.2 Connect the gas supply (99.999% nitrogen) to the NITROGEN IN opening on the back of the VAPORIZER - push plastic tube in and pull out, to seat firmly. This will provide a gas-tight seal.

3.3 Use proper regulators on the gas supply - a pressure gauge for the tank pressure and a reduction gauge to supply the nitrogen at 2 kg/cm (30 psi). DO NOT EXCEED A PRESSURE OF 2.3 kg/cm (35 psi). Connect the nitrogen tank line to the NITROGEN IN fitting on the back of the oven.

3.4 Consult FIGURE 10 for all gas and electrical connections. The following gives additional information:

3 .4.1 Connect the VA cable into the IF board and the other end into the VA opening on the AQUATEST 10. Connect the BNC (Bayonet Neil-Concelman) connector from the platinum RTD (Resistive Thermal Device) to the TMP BNC connector on the back of the IF board.

3.4.2 Insert the RTD probe into the top oven glass tube and heated transfer tube into the bottom glass tube. See (1) and (2) of FIGURE 12. Do not grease any of the TEFLON connections to the oven tubes. These seals should be inspected occasionally and replaced if they seem loose.

3.4.3 Note the wired plastic clips from the bottom of the oven. These are to be connected to the appropriate fitting on the AQUATEST 10 base.

3.4.4 Ignore the GND (Ground) plugs on the back of the AQUATEST 10 and VAPORIZER. However, if you are using 2 prong adapter plugs with your new equipment call PHOTOVOLT for information on proper grounding. (The 2 prong adapters are not grounded.)

3.4.5 The dryer tube has a long plastic hose coming from the bottom when it is clipped into place. Insert this into the blue 3-way vacuum relief valve and the short plastic hose into the fitting marked NITROGEN OUT (Figure 1, #7).

3.4.6 Connect the hose from the top of the gas line desiccant cartridge (FIGURE 11) to the oven fitting nearest the oven to allow dry gas to enter. Connect the longer, narrower tube to the end of the oven nearest the oven closure. This allows the purge gas to exit the oven through the PURGE opening and be dissipated through the oven case.

4. Adjusting Gas Flow And Temperature

4.1 After turning on the AQUATEST 10 and establishing that it is operating properly, press OVEN two times. The display will read OVEN TEMP. Key in the temperature you want, then press ENTER.

4.2 The following sequence of displays will appear; PURGE TM, PREHEAT, COOL TIME, STBY. Enter any data you wish for each of these, then press ENTER to put into the memory or ESCAPE to return to the titration mode. (Times are entered as minutes and seconds).

4.3 To start the gas flow, turn the 3-way vacuum control valve to a horizontal position. (FIGURE 1, # 7). Adjust the gas flow by observing the symbol at the right side of the temperature displayed on the screen. See SECTION 5.3 for a picture of the symbols observed as the flow is changed. An initial suggestion might be a flow of 200 or 300 cm³ per minute.

4.4 If you do not want gas to flow into the titration vessel, press VALVE to put the oven into the purge condition or turn the 3-way vacuum relief valve to a vertical position.

4.5 As long as an oven temperature is in the memory, the oven will be heated. When you want to return to the direct injection mode, enter O or CLEAR to remove the oven temperature.

5. Example of a Solid Resin Analysis with the AQUATEST :: VAPORIZER

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS

AQUATEST 10 TITRATOR
File:         Your choice
Delay Time:       (min) 5
Min Titration:          0
Titration Stop:         0
End Point:            0.3
Print Form:             4
Calculation Format:     1
Units:                  0
Blank:                  0
Print Interval:       0.5

VAPORIZER
Temperature ( ºC):     200
Gas Flow (cm³/min):    300
Purge Time (min):        1
Preheat (min):           0
Cool Time (min):        0
Boats:            Glass with foil liner
Mass (g):        Around 2 depending on
water content. Select to give at least 50 to 100 µg on the display before calculations