BUCHI Rotavapo R-215 - Manual (Page 50)

7 Maintenance and repairs
50 R-210/215 Operation Manual, Version F
7 .3 .1 Cleaning the seals
To prolong the lifetime of the seals, rinse them regularly with water, especially if “bumping” occurred
during the distillation or if working with crystalline products. Afterwards, dry them with a solft cloth. To
remove the seals, see chapter 5.5, Installing the condenser and the seal.
7 .3 .2 Replacing the seals
After 3 - 12 months, depending on the wear, the seals should be replaced.
Seals are subject to wear and tear, thus you should check them regularly and replace them, if neces-
sary, e.g. if they do not pass the vacuum tightness test described in chapter 5.11 anymore. For this
purpose, see chapter 5.5, Installing the condenser and the seal.
7 .4 Heating bath
The inner surface of the heating bath should be cleaned if:
• The water bath is calcified or contaminated.
• The oil in the oil bath has changed (color, viscosity, etc.).
• Light rust spots occur.
For this purpose, remove the heating bath from the Rotavapor and empty it.
In the case of minor calcifications, use a non-abrasive cleaning agent (e.g. a bathroom cleaner). If the
calcification is persistent, use e.g. acetic acid to remove it. Rinse the bath thoroughly afterwards. Rust
spots can easily be removed with Scotch-Brite. Make sure to add Borax when using deionized water
(see chapter 5.3).
7 .5 Glass components
To prolong the lifetime of the glass components, consider the following:
• Rinse glass components with water and commercial cleaning agent (e.g. a mild soap solution).
• NOTE
We recommend cleaning all the glass components manually.
• Use an alkaline cleaner to remove dirt, e.g. algae, adhering within the condenser coil.
• NOTE
When a thin copper wire is introduced into the condenser coil, the risk of dirt adhering to the
condenser coil is reduced.
• Remove grease from joints. After you have cleaned and completely dried each glass component,
visually inspect the components for glass splinters or cracks. Since these components are under
vacuum when the Rotavapor is operating, they are subject to strain.
Regularly check the glass components for damages and only use glassware that is in perfect condi-
tion. Glassware with cracks, stars or other damages can break during operation.