BUCHI Encapsulator B-395 Pro - Manual (Page 62)

6 Operation
62 B-395 Pro Operation Manual, Version C
8. As soon as the bead chain is stable, move the collection cup out of the way of the liquid jet to
start the actual bead production process. Verify that the bead stream is dispersed 3 to 10 cm
(approximately 1” to 4”) below the electrode. An optimal distance is about 5 cm (2”) below the
electrode. Adjust the electrostatic voltage to achieve this goal.
9. Record the exact process parameters while monitoring the bead production.
10. Shortly before the syringe plunger is fully depressed, move the collection cup back into the bead
stream. Stop the pump.
Turn off the electrostatic dispersion unit and the vibration control system.
11. Let the beads harden for 5 minutes.
12. To drain the hardening solution from the reaction vessel, slowly open the drain clamp so that it will
take 1 to 2 minutes to drain 500 mL. Turn off the magnetic stirrer when about ¾ of the liquid has
drained. Close the drain clamp as soon as the liquid level reaches the settled beads.
NOTE
Always leave the beads slightly covered with solution to prevent clumping.
13. Fill the pressure bottle with 400 mL of washing solution and pump it into the reaction vessel.
Restart the magnetic stirrer as soon as the magnetic stir bar is covered with liquid so the beads
are not damaged. Wash the beads for 5 minutes and then drain off the liquid as described above
(item 12).
14. Pump the final 200 mL of washing solution into the reaction vessel. Re-suspend the beads by
turning on the magnetic stirrer.
15. Open the bead collecting valve and let the beads flow into the bead collecting flask.
16. Close the silicone tube from the reaction vessel to the bead collecting flask with the clump.
Disconnect the bead collecting flask from the reaction vessel and check the beads for quality
under a microscope.
17. Immediately after the end of the bead production process fill a syringe with distilled water, attach it
to the bead producing unit and flush the nozzle to avoid having the polymer dry and clogging the
system thus creating a maintenance problem. Clean the reaction vessel.