French Press

FRENCH PRESS (B414)

Rules and Guidelines

BEFORE USE:

1. New user MUST be trained by the captain or present users

2. ALWAYS add info in logbook

Assembling the Cell

1. Check that the cell is clean (dirt will cause damage)

2. Coat the internal surface with glycerol before each use

3. Connect the Sample Outlet Tube to the Cell

4. Push and rotate the piston into the top of Cell

5. Push and rotate the closure plug into the bottom of cell

6. Connect the flow valve assembly to the cell

The valve should be finger tight. Turn the valve until you feel a slight resistance then turn it an extra 1/8 turn. Excessive pressure to tighten the valve can distort the shape of the nylon ball and may lead to leaking problems.

7. Replace nylon ball after every run

8. Assemble and connect the piston locking latch to the hole at the top of cell

INSTALLING THE 20K CELL INTO THE PRESS

1. Place the cell on the lower platen between the aligning pins. Secure in place with the press locking latch.

OPERATING THE CELL

Position the Piston for desired amount of the sample to be processed (Do Not overfill nor underfill).

20K Cell: use between 20 and 40mls

Mini-Cell: use 3.7 ml exactly!

1. Set the instrument on the filling stand and remove the closure plug.

2. Fill the cell with the sample to a level that will cause a small amount of it to be forced through the sample outlet tube when the closure plug is installed.

3. Keep the flow valve open, insert the closure plug and push down until firmly seated.

4. Close the flow valve while the cell is still in the filling stand. DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN. Over-tightening will damage the nylon ball and cause leaking.

5. Hold the closure plug tightly against the body, invert the cell, and place it in the Press, make sure the alignment pins on the lower platen of the press center the cell directly above the pressure actuator cylinder.

FORCES OTHER THAN A STRAIGHT LINE TROUGH THE CELL CAN CAUSE SCORING OF THE PISTON AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE INTER WALL OF THE CELL BODY.

Be sure that the locking latch on the press is securely fastened to insure that the cell cannot escape the press.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

SOP: File:FrenchPressSOP-1.doc

BLANK LOGSHEETS: File:FrenchPressLog.pdf

FOR REPAIRS PLEASE SEE CAPTAIN OR JESSICA METZGER IN B481

--Jessica Metzger 15:29, 5 May 2010 (EDT)