Operation and Performance of the Parallel Evaporator Syncore Analyst for Environmental Analysis

The Syncore® Analyst from Buchi (Switzerland) allows for efficient, fast and parallel concentration of liquid samples and minimises the environmental impact by solvent recovery. This automated parallel evaporation system is designed for gentle concentration of 4, 6 or 12 samples with working volumes of 10 to 500 ml down to pre-defined residual volumes of 0.3, 1.0 or 3.0 ml by means of heating under vacuum. The key feature of the Syncore® Analyst is an integrated cooling zone which stores the concentrated sample in a cooled environment. Programmable conditions (vacuum, temperature, orbital movement) allow for a reproducible concentration without supervision and with high precision. The system can be places outside the fume hood due to the fact that the solvent is recovered by a condenser with a receiving flask. An efficient concentration from most solvents is performed in 30-60 minutes. Best results are achieved with a moderate evaporation rate generated by a vacuum gradient. Highly volatile analytes (e.g. naphthalene), in particular, require a rather slow but smooth evaporation, since a fast evaporation rate tends to carry along volatile analytes. However, this is not the case for non-volatiles (e.g. benzo[a]pyrene).

The orbital movement has a considerable effect on the evaporation rate and the final volume. Although concentration is accelerated, a high orbital movement is not only beneficial in environmental analysis. An increase of the movement implements an extension of the glass surface being in contact with the sample. Particularly oily and greasy substances tend to stick on the glass wall. Due to the sophisticated design of the vacuum cover, the individual sealing system of each sample glass and the possibility to clean the glass vessels in dish washers, the risk of cross-contamination is mostly insignificant. At a naphthalene sample concentration of up to 800 μg the detected level of naphthalene in blank positions is below 0.1% of the sample concentration. High recovery rates are achieved with the ultimate Flushback Module that gentle rinses the glass walls during operation with the solvent being evaporated.

These advantages make the Syncore® Analyst the system of choice for concentration in trace and ultra-trace analysis. A best practice guideline for installation, operation and performance of the Syncore® Analyst for environmental analysis is presented in Best@Buchi Number 54.

For more information visit www.buchi.com.