Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying an Evaporator
- What are your sample sizes? Microtiter plates and micro centrifuge tubes work best in a centrifugal vacuum concentrator. For large samples up to 450mls, a vortex evaporator is recommended.
- What are your samples? Acids require an acid resistant system. Solvents damage plastic and rubber components; an appropriate system to prevent damage is recommended. A -50°C cold trap is ideal for aqueous based samples, a -85°C cold trap traps most solvents and a -105°C cold trap is recommended for alcohols.
- Are your samples heat sensitive? Even at ambient set point, vacuum concentrators add heat through friction. A concentrator that has refrigeration built into it will give you the temperature control recommended to maintain the viability of heat liable samples.
- Do you have limited space? A floor model with casters or small all-in-one benchtop model can be moved out of the way when not in use.
- Do you prefer vacuum evaporation or nitrogen blow down? Some samples require evaporation under nitrogen (which is more gentle) for volatile solvents.
Types of laboratory evaporators used by survey respondents:
| Rotary evaporators | 65% |
| Vortex evaporators | 7% |
| Nitrogen blowndown evaporator | 23% |
| Vacuum system evaporator | 42% |
| Other | 2% |
Primary purpose of evaporator as reported by survey respondents:
| Concentration of substances | 67% |
| Sample preparation | 47% |
| Extractions | 30% |
| Distilling of low-boiling solvents | 23% |
| Distilling of temperature-sensitive substances under vacuum | 16% |
| Recycling of solvent waste | 12% |
| Distilling of oxygen-sensitive substances under inert gas | 2% |
| Chemical synthesis under reflux | 2% |
| Other | 2% |
Nearly 47% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new evaporator. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
 | Replacement of aging system | 38% |  |
 | Addition to existing systems, increase capacity | 31% | |
 | Setting up a new lab | 8% | |
 | First time purchase | 19% | |
 | Other | 4% |
Top 10 Features/Factors Respondents Look for When Purchasing Evaporator:
| Safety | 83% |
| Reliability | 81% |
| Ease of use | 65% |
| Low maintenance / easy to clean | 65% |
| Price | 62% |
| Low operating cost of ownership | 48% |
| Ease of installation | 44% |
| Fully integrated - The evaporator, the vaccuum pump, the vacuum controller, and the recirculating chiller | 40% |
| Built-in vacuum controller | 39% |
| Service and support | 37% |
For more information on evaporators, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/evaporators
