FAQ
【Con】Is there a list of consumable parts?
Please refer to the consumable parts catalogue or here.
【Con】What is the difference between the EGA capillary tube used for evolved gas analysis and a simple deactivated tube?
The chemistry of the inner surfaces of both tubes is the same. The EGA capillary tube used for evolved gas analysis (P/N:UADTM-2.5N) is designed specifically for evolved gas analysis (0.15 mm id, 2.5 m length, with cage) and is included with the Multi-Shot Pyrolyzer and the Selective Sampler accessory. A general purpose deactivated tube (P/N:UADTM-5N) 5m X 0.15 mm id is available. It does not include a cage.
【Con】When do I use an Eco-Cup LF and when should I use an Eco-Cup SF?
When using Auto-Shot Sampler, be sure to use the Eco-Cup LF (height 8 mm) in order to retrieve the cup after the analysis is completed. For manual operation, use Eco-Cup LF when the sample volume is more than 10 mg, and use Eco-Cup SF (height 4 mm) when you want sharper peaks for low-boiling point compounds. These two sample cups differ only in height but have the same inner diameter (3.8 mm), material, and deactivated surface. See this page for details.
【Con】When do I use an Eco-Stick SF and when should I use an Eco-Stick DF?
The Eco-Stick SF is used when making “manual” – one sample at a time – pyrolysis experiments such as single-shot, EGA, and heart-cut EGA analysis. Eco-Stick DF is used in Double-Shot analysis. Note: when an Auto-Shot Sampler is used, an Eco-Stick is not used.
【Con】I just have purchased Eco-Cups; do I need to clean them before using for the first time?
Normally, there is no need to clean new Eco-Cups before using them. Eco-Cups are cleaned prior to shipping. However, if they are exposed to laboratory air for an extended period of time, or when performing trace analysis, ghost peaks originating from atmospheric contamination may be observed. To avoid these historic peaks, clean the Eco-Cups using volatile solvents such as acetone or dichloromethane before use. Also, care must be exercised in handling the (1) sample cup holders, (2) tweezers used in sampling, and (3) Eco-Pickup in order to prevent contaminations.
【Con】I understand that Eco-Cups are considered a disposable item, but is there a way to clean them so that they can be re-used?
Depending on the types of samples and analyses you are running, Eco-Cups can be reused, if they are properly cleaned. When reusing the cups, analysts must be able to judge whether it is acceptable or not for their analytical purposes. (Note: all the work below should be done in a hood and be careful not to burn yourself.)
1. Removal of large residues: Physically scrape off the solids remaining in the Eco-Cup with a soft rod such as a cotton swab.
2. Removal of residual polymer: Clean the polymer, which is not decomposed during the thermal desorption and remained in the Eco-Cup, with a suitable solvent that dissolves it.
3. Removal of residual organics: Heat the cup with a small torch flame to glow red for 2 – 3 seconds to remove residual organics (the inertness may decrease if the red heat time is too long). If a large number of Eco-Cups need to be cleaned, heating at 500 ºC for 5 – 8 hours in a muffle furnace under air atmosphere is a convenient way.
Note: Depending on the sample, inorganics or burnt residues (char) of polymer may remain in the Eco-Cup. In this case, remove them with a cotton swab and the like, then clean with a volatile solvent such as acetone. If the residues still persist, use a new Eco Cup.
【Con】Can Eco-Cups be reused in the analysis of brominated flame retardants (PBDE)?
When analyzing compounds susceptible to thermal decomposition such as brominated flame retardants and compounds which are very polar such as acids and bases, sample cups should NOT be cleaned and re-used. DecaBDE in particular may decompose (debrominate) during thermal desorption if the surface of the sample cup has any chemical activity. Frontier Labs has demonstrated that the DecaBDE response decreases over 30 %, when an Eco-Cup is used 10 times.
【Con】Does heating an Eco-Cup by a torch generate active points? Or, are they generated under normal analytical conditions (e.g., 600ºC)?
As a general rule, active points are generated by sample residues in the cup and carbon material formed during the pyrolysis step or as the cup is “cleaned” using a propane or butane torch. Normal pyrolysis temperatures (e.g., <800 ºC will not damage the sample cups. When analyzing compounds susceptible to decomposition such as brominated flame retardants, do mot heat the sample cup until it ‘glows’ red. Flame cleaning is a process that requires 2-3 seconds at the most. Excessive or prolonged exposure to a flame will damage the quartz surface.
【Con】What kinds of samples tends to be decomposed if active spots exist in Eco-Cup, pyrolysis tube, or GC injector insert? How about compounds with a large molecular weight, halogenated compounds or phthalates?
It is difficult to generalize the tendency of decomposition, however, compounds with a large molecular weight tend to thermally decompose due to the fact that the elution temperature is high in thermal desorption. Normal phthalates are not harmed by using the Eco-Cups.
【Con】How is the RoHS Cup LN different from the conventional Eco Cup LF?
Eco-Cup LF is highly deactivated by chemical bonding of the quartz thin film on its stainless-steel surface of the cup. On the other hand, RoHS Cup LN is a low-cost sample cup specially made for phthalates analysis.