EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES CATALOG EDITION IV CRITICAL POINT DRYERS


zzzE3100 Critical Point Dryer QUICK OVERVIEW


The E3100 large chamber critical point dryer has been an industry standard for over 35 years and is used in numerous scanning electron microscopy (SEM) laboratories around the world. Primarily used for critical drying of biological and geological specimens, the E3100 can also used for the controlled drying MEMs, aerogels and hydrogels.


The design of the E3100 features a large, horizontal pressure chamber measuring 63.5 mm internal diameter x 82 mm in length. The chamber has an external water jacket for temperature control and specimens are introduced via a removable rear door. The front of the chamber is fitted with a 25 mm diameter window which gives an unsurpassed view of the liquid level during the critical point drying process.


KEY FEATURES


z Proven reliability - over 6,000 critical point dryer installations world-wide


z Simple robust construction - easy to maintain - many critical point dryer users carry out their own routine maintenance


z Horizontal chamber and large viewing window - excellent visibility of the fluid level and drying process


z Large robust valves for draining of fluids, ingress of CO2 ing of gas - very durable; the rapid ingress of CO2 pre-drying of specimens


and vent- helps prevents


z Safety - every critical point dryer unit is pressure tested to 2,500psi and a certificate is issued. A pressure bursting disc is also fitted to safeguard against misuse


z Specimen handling - optional specimen holders for coverslips and TEM grids. Porous pots are available for fragile or very small speci- mens


z Three-year warranty Temperature control


Dial gauges display pressure in the chamber and the temperature of water circulating through the jacket. Three pressure valves permit easy connection to the liquid CO2 cylinder and allow liquid agitation and venting of the chamber.


A source of hot running water is essential. Cooling is also useful, especially for sequential critical point drying process runs and/or in laboratories where the room temperature may be high.


The temperature of the E3100 chamber is raised with a hot water supply. Mains water can be used but a more elegant method involves the use of the optional E4860 Recirculating Heater/Chiller which can be used to pre- cool the chamber to below ambient temperature prior to loading specimens and then to heat the chamber to the critical temperature.


Safety


Operator safety is of course an important consideration with all pressure vessels. If during the critical point drying process the pressure and temperature are inadvertently exceeded, a safety bursting disc is incorporated in the chamber support. The design has been independently type-tested to proof pressures in excess of the working pressure and bursting disc rupture pressure.


Specimen holder (boat)


An important feature is the design of the E3100 transfer boat. This permits specimens in the intermediate fluid to be transferred to the chamber of the


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critical point dryer. On sealing the chamber, the intermediate fluid begins to drain and can be replaced with liquid CO2. In this way the specimens are never allowed to dry out during the loading and transfer stage of the critical point drying process.


The E3100 is supplied with the E3100-01 tissue boat which has three


EMS 3100 Specimen Boat


slots each with three tissue baskets, making a total of nine. Optional holders are available and are listed under Ordering Information.


Bonded chamber seals – Nitrile or EPDM?


The EMS 3100 is fitted with a standard nitrile bonded window and door seals. Nitrile is a good general material due to its ability to withstand attack by solvents, such as ethanol. However, if acetone is used as the transition fluid then the EPDM seals have been found to be more resistant to chemical attack by that solvent.


If you are planning to use acetone as the transition fluid, please state this on the order and EPDM bonded seals will be fitted.


For existing instruments, both Nitrile and EPDM bonded seal can be ordered as spare parts.


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