Environmental Express SimpleDist - Troubleshooting Guide

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SimpleDist® Micro Heating Block: Operation & Instruction Manual Troubleshooting
Make sure that your distillate matrix concentration matches
what is required by your analytical method. Distilling your
calibration standards is a good way to keep the matrix match.
Make sure that the distillation unit is properly sealed together.
There should be no gap between the edge of the collection tube
and the ring on the sample tube.
Make sure that the distillation unit is completely inserted in the
block. The ring on the collection tube should be ush with the
surface of the block.
Make sure that the sample tube is promptly separated from
the collection tube after removing the distillation unit from the
block. Small amounts of suck back can occur if the process is not
performed quickly (within 4 seconds).
The sample is high in organic content. Reduce the mass of
sample used down to 0.5 g. Additional measures may include
adding a layer of activated charcoal or glass wool over the
sample. Reduce the amount of water added to the sample to
only ll up to 6 mL of volume. Use another sample tube with
6 mL of water as a reference for the ll level.
Add one small boiling stone (Hengar stones are preferred) to
the tube prior to adding the releasing agent and sealing the
distillation unit. Try not to exceed 1 mm in diameter.
Standard recovery values
are consistently low or high.
Standard recovery values
are inconsistent, usually
trending towards low.
Solid samples coat the
distillation membrane.
Violent boiling or bumping
in the sample tube.
Troubleshooting Guide
Please consult the following troubleshooting guide if you experience problems with your heating
block. See wiring schematic (page 16) for component identication. If you are unable to resolve the
problem or if replacement components are necessary, please contact technical service at
+1.800.745.8218 as component replacement varies in degree of difculty. Only qualied personnel
should attempt troubleshooting electrical components.
When the heating block is initially powered on, the controller will cycle through a self-test sequence.
It will then display the current temperature and begin heating until it reaches your set point
temperature, where it will hold until the unit is powered off. The set point may be changed at any
time. A change in the controller’s factory default settings or a failed component may cause the
heating block to perform unsatisfactorily or render it inoperable.