Labconco RapidStill II 65200 - Manual (Page 21)

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
17
Under normal operation, your RapidStill II will require little routine maintenance. The following
maintenance schedule is recommended:
After Every Day
(1) Rinse the caustic pump, its delivery system and the distribution head as follows:
(a) Install a clean empty digestion tube in place. Remove the caustic supply tubing
from the caustic vessel and place it in a vessel of purified water.
(b) Turn on the cooling water and fill the boiler as described on page 16.
(c) Turn on the boiler heater.
(d) Depress ‘NaOH Addition’ switch and hold it on until all of the caustic has been
purged out of the system and into the distillation tube.
(e) Remove the digestion tube and dispose of the liquid appropriately.
(f) Replace the digestion tube and fill it approximately half full by depressing the
‘NaOH Addition’ switch.
(g) When the water in the boiler is at a rolling boil, turn the distillation timer to
approximately 10 minutes.
(h) At the end of the distillation cycle, turn the boiler heater and the cooling water off.
Remove the digestion tube wearing appropriate heat and chemically resistant
gloves. Dispose of the liquid appropriately.
(2) Clean the exterior surfaces of the RapidStill II using a soft cloth and a solution of mild
soap and water to remove any spilled chemicals or deposits.
Weekly
(1) Examine the boiler for any build up of deposits. Accumulate deposits in the boiler may
be removed by dilute solution of hydrochloric acid, or by using commercially available
descaling solutions that are compatible with glass.
USE APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT WHEN HANDLING
CLEANING SOLUTIONS. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE CLEANING SOLUTION
INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THEIR USE, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE
FOLLOWED, AND DISPOSAL.
For instructions on how to remove the boiler, refer to ‘Removing the Boiler’ in the
Service section of this manual on page 20.
(2)
Examine all plumbing and steam lines, ensuring that the tubing is intact. Examine all
tubing connections. Examine the connection stopper for deterioration or cracking.