Centrifugal evaporator

Genevac of the UK has introduced a high performance Model HT-4X centrifugal evaporator for scientists in the drug discovery and medicinal chemistry sectors.

The new model provides high-throughput sample processing within limited bench space and was developed in cooperation with pharmaceutical research scientists, according to the firm. It updates Genevac's earlier HT-4 series.

"For high-throughput drug discovery, parallel synthesis and drug screening laboratories where sample purity and speed are important the HT-4X offers unmatched speed of evaporation, shorter condenser defrost time, more powerful software and the flexibility to accommodate a wider range of sample formats than any other system in its class,"​ claims Genevac​.

Features of the evaporator include a built-in dual chamber refrigerated condenser that combines a powerful cryopump and solvent recovery system with high-power infrared (IR) lamps. This accelerates the speed of evaporation, even for high boiling point solvents, according to the firm.

In addition, a chamber cooling system is incorporated that can be used between runs to protect thermally sensitive samples when run immediately after higher boiling point solvents. The system additionally offers an auto-defrosting condenser option and functions such as auto shut down and auto-solvent selection, making it easy to use by a wide range of staff.

Corrosive vapours such as trifluoroacetic acid may be removed by the standard system, an inert purge option allows high safety evaporation of flammable solvents and optional facility is provided for sample lyophilisation.

Centrifugal evaporation involves the use of lowered pressure to reduce the boiling points of solvents thereby accelerating their evaporation. Samples are placed in a rotor and spun during the drying process to prevent violent solvent boiling (known as 'bumping').