How to shut down MicroCal instruments for extended storage

por Verna Frasca, Thursday, 28th May 2020

MicroCal Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) systems are designed to be “powered on” continuously, so they will be ready to use when needed. 

There are circumstances where the instrument and the computer need to be shut down, such as maintenance, lab shut-down, or shipping the instrument to another location.

When the system will not be used for an extended period of time, here are recommended procedures for the different MicroCal instruments – if you have further questions, contact your local Malvern Panalytical office or the help desk.

PEAQ DSC Automated

After the last experiment, the instrument will rinse the cells and load them with distilled or deionized water from the Fast Wash station.  For this last scan, you can leave the Fast Wash station filled with distilled or deionized water, or you can fill the Fast Wash station with a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth in the cells.

After this:

  1. Close the MicroCal PEAQ-DSC software.
  2. Switch off the power at the back of the DSC cell unit. 
  3. Switch off the Autosampler and Cooling Stack power.
  4. Power off the controller computer. 

PEAQ DSC Manual

After the last experiment, perform 3 – 5 scans of 20% Contrad 70 or 14% Decon 90.  Then rinse the sample and reference cells and refill them with distilled or deionized water.  You can also fill the cells with a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth.

After this:

  1. Close the MicroCal PEAQ-DSC software.
  2. Switch off the power at the back of the DSC cell unit. 
  3. Power off the controller computer. 
  4. Clean and rinse the cell filling syringe and leave it to dry with the plunger removed from the syringe.
  5. Install the cell port cap. 

PEAQ ITC Automated

The instrument rinses the sample cell and leaves it filled with distilled or deionized water after the last run.  You can manually refill both the sample and the reference cells with 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth. 

After this:

  1. Close the MicroCal PEAQ-ITC Automated Operation software.
  2. Close the MicroCal PEAQ-ITC Automated Control software.
  3. Switch off the power at the back of the autosampler. 
  4. Power off the controller computer. 

PEAQ ITC Manual

After the last run, perform a cell and syringe wash.  Then fill the sample and reference cells with distilled or deionized water.  You can also fill the cells with a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth. 

After this: 

  1. Close the MicroCal PEAQ-ITC software.
  2. Switch off the power at the back of the ITC cell unit.
  3. Power off the controller computer.
  4. Clean and rinse the cell filling syringe and leave it to dry with the plunger removed from the syringe.
  5. Install the cell port cap.

VP-Capillary DCS Automated

Finish your last set of experiments with 3 – 5 scans of 20% Contrad 70 or 14% Decon 90.  The cells will be rinsed from the selected wash station after each scan.  After the final scan, the last rinse is left in the cells.  For this last scan, you can leave the wash station filled with distilled or deionized water, or you can fill the station with a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth in the cells.

After this:

  1. Close the MicroCal VP-Capillary DSC control software.
  2. Switch off the power at the back of the DSC cell unit.
  3. Switch off the autosampler power and the cstack power.
  4. Power off the controller computer. 

VP-Capillary DSC Manual

Finish your last set of experiments with a 20% Contrad 70 or 14% Decon 90 scan and do 3 – 4 rescans.  Then rinse both cells and refill them with distilled or deionized water.  You can also fill the cells with a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth. 

After this:

  1. Close the MicroCal VP-Capillary DSC control software.
  2. Switch off the power at the back of the DSC cell unit.
  3. Power off the controller computer. 
  4. Clean and rinse the cell filling syringe and leave it to dry with the plunger removed from the syringe.
  5. Install the cell port cap.

ITC200 Automated

The instrument rinses the sample cell and leaves it filled with distilled or deionized water after the last run.  You can manually refill both the sample and the reference cells with a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth. 

After this:

  1. Close the MicroCal AutoITC200 software.
  2. Close the MicroCal ITC200 software.
  3. Switch off the power at the back of the autosampler. 
  4. Power off the controller computer. 
  5. Clean and rinse the cell filling syringe and leave it to dry with the plunger removed from the syringe.

ITC200 Manual

After the last run, perform a cell and syringe wash.  Then fill the sample and reference cells with distilled or deionized water.  You can also use a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth in the cells. 

After this: 

  1. Close the MicroCal ITC200 control software.
  2. Switch off the power at the back of the ITC cell unit.
  3. Power off the controller computer.
  4. Clean and rinse the cell filling syringe and leave it to dry with the plunger removed from the syringe.
  5. Install the cell port cap.

VP-ITC

After the last run, wash the sample cell with 20% Contrad 70 or 14% Decon 90 and rinse with water afterwards.  Then fill the sample and reference cells with distilled or deionized water.  You can also use a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth in the cells. 

After this: 

  1. Close the MicroCal VP-ITC control software.
  2. Switch off the power at the back of the ITC cell unit.
  3. Power off the controller computer.
  4. Clean and rinse the cell filling syringe and leave it to dry with the plunger removed from the syringe.
  5. Install the cell port cap.

VP-DSC

Finish your last set of experiments with a 20% Contrad 70 or 14% Decon 90 scan and do 3 – 4 rescans.  Then rinse both cells and refill them with distilled or deionized water.  You can also use a 0.02% sodium azide solution to fight bacterial growth in the cells. 

After this:

  1. Close the MicroCal VP- DSC control software.
  2. Switch off the power at the back of the DSC cell unit.
  3. Power off the controller computer. 
  4. Clean and rinse the cell filling syringe and leave it to dry with the plunger removed from the syringe. 
  5. Install the cell port cap.

Warning! Before conducting any of the procedures outlined in this article you must read the Operating Instructions or Basic Guide that accompanies your instrument.  Pay particular attention to all relevant Health and Safety protocols that are described.  

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