Centrifuges are designed to separate liquid heterogeneous systems into components under the action of centrifugal forces as well as to separate suspended solid particles in solutions, reagents, suspensions, and emulsions. Proper and correct maintenance of this instrument is critical to the long-term performance of the centrifuge as well as to a safe environment for laboratory personnel.
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Without due care, the centrifuge rotor becomes potentially dangerous. It can burst, damage the laboratory and/or injure people. Modern centrifuges require low maintenance. The best way to maintain a centrifuge is not only to follow the manufacturer's instructions but also to have a system that doesn't need any major maintenance at all.
Clean the equipment every time after use, or at least weekly. Clean the inside of the centrifuge, the rotor, and any surfaces with electronic components, such as the touch screen or keyboard.
Employees must be trained to use the equipment they work with properly. User error is often the root cause of most centrifuge problems.
Never use the device if it is hot, vibrates abnormally, makes noises, or does not accelerate to the specified speed. In this case, the equipment should be turned off immediately and sent for diagnostics.
At least once a month, the centrifuge rotor must be dismantled. After that, the shaft on which the device was fixed must be cleaned and lubricated.
This will eliminate the accumulation of liquid between the rotor and the shaft that can lead to corrosion and create conditions for the development of microflora.
For chemical disinfection, use disinfectants that include ethyl alcohol, ethylene hexanol, anionic surfactants, n-propanol, corrosion inhibitors. Recommended disinfectants are indicated in the operating instructions for the rotor and centrifuge. If the antimicrobial agent contains other substances, contact your service representative to clarify the possibility of its use.
The choice of the best method and disinfectant depends on the material the rotor is made from.
For the rubber seals of rotors, covers of centrifugal chambers, and other working modules of the
centrifuge to retain their operating characteristics, they must be meticulously cleaned from mechanical
contamination using a soap solution or special care products for rubber parts.
If such a tool is
not available, rubbing in a small amount of medical talcum powder will prevent the O-ring from turning
after cleaning.
The rubber seal must be replaced at the first signs of brittleness or cracking to ensure complete tightness.
The plastic liners in the rotor seats, like the devices themselves, can be processed by autoclaving or using suitable disinfectants.
Some types of rotors can be equipped with sealed polycarbonate covers. Their disinfection should be carried out strictly according to the instructions.
If a glass vessel breaks down during centrifugation, the rubber seals and plastic adapters must be disposed of, even if there are no defects in visual inspection.