Questron Technologies - Automated Digestion System - Vulcan

Vulcan 42 (peristaltic pump)

Vulcan comes with an option of Syringe or Laboratory Peristaltic pump based reagent delivery system which are made of super engineering plastics, having excellent corrosion resistance, enabling the pumps to be used with strong acids, strong alkalis, and chemical solutions that erode general-purpose plastics. They are highly resistant to heat.

These pumps are available for all liquids including HF, HClO4, H2O2, KMNO4 and H2SO4.

• 8 individually operated pumps
• Accurate delivery over a wide range of flow rates
• Specialized design to provide low drift in the flow rate
• Good repeatability in low volume dispensing

Vulcan Standard comes with one QBlock and Vulcan Duo comes with two QBlocks.

Our Automated Reagent Management has a flow rate up to 2.5 ml/sec. Independent reagent lines reduce priming operations, increase dispensing speed and minimize contamination. The all-plastic Adaptable Workstation is designed for Ultra-Pure, Consistent, Automated Sample Preparation.

Both Vulcan Standard & Vulcan Duo come with 8 individually operated Laboratory Peristaltic pumps which give accurate delivery over wide range of flow rate. They operate in dispense and aspirate mode to facilitate sample pickup and avoid reagent dripping. The Peristaltic Pump in Vulcan Series come can be primed with a manual switch and give a good repeatability in low volume dispensing.

Vulcan 42 (syringe pump)

Key features

• 6 individually operated syringes
• PTFE-syringe to handle HF acid
• All PTFE-values and fittings provide an inert environment
• Programmed to dispense precise amounts from 6 syringes at the same time
• Easy mounting and replacement of syringes

The Pumps/Valves tab in software allows the user to manually turn ON or OFF each pump and valve located in the Vulcan system. These commands are mostly applicable for peristaltic-pump based configuration, with the exception of the diluent pump and diluent valve, which also have application with the High Pressure Syringe Pump configuration.

Calibration is performed in the Automated Syringe Pump by weighing the amount of dispensed liquid in three separate vials, entering the weights of each vial into the appropriate weight location and updating the stroke. The stroke value refers to the number of steps the stepper motor plunges the syringe to reach the required volume amounts. The Average Stroke Value button allows the user to update the stroke value as an average value of the selected syringe stroke values.

The Washing Box allows the user to prime each syringe with the desired liquid. This can be done by entering a specific amount, selecting the syringe(s) and clicking start. This must be done prior to calibration. 

Since the diluent pump is not meant for accurate dispenses, only one vial needs to be measured for calibration. 

The initialization process takes the High Pressure Syringe Pump block to its highest point so that the syringe limit switch just toggles. Then the syringe module block is lowered 500 motor steps (Syringe Buffer value) as its normal highest point of travel and is the position that corresponds to zero mL’s for the syringes.

This lowers the Automated Syringe Pump block half way to allow for appropriate removal of a syringe, should one need replacing.

Vulcan 84 (peristaltic pump)

Key features

• 8 individually operated pumps
• Accurate delivery over a wide range of flow rates
• Specialized design to provide low drift in the flow rate
• Good repeatability in low volume dispensing

Vulcan 84 (syringe pump)

Key features

• 6 individually operated syringes
• PTFE-syringe to handle HF acid
• All PTFE-values and fittings provide an inert environment
• Programmed to dispense precise amounts from 6 syringes at the same time
• Easy mounting and replacement of syringes

HEPA-ULPA

The removal of acidic fumes presents a blanket of incoming air which passes directly overtop the samples bringing in a micro-sized contaminant; particulate matter. The addition of a ULPA filtration unit eliminates this issue. High purity air, 99.9999% free of contaminants and particles up to 0.12 µm is introduced into the system in laminar flow pattern from the top of the system. Once the front access door is closed, samples are cut off from laboratory environment completely. The air flow provided by filter assembly and external exhaust system attached to exit port is adjusted in such a way that Vulcan’s main cavity is always kept under negative pressure.