Abstract: A centrifugal evaporator includes a chamber in which sample containers are carried and rotated by a rotor and are pivotally mounted so as to swing up to a substantially horizontal orientation as the rotor rotates. The evaporator includes an infra-red source to direct infra-red radiation towards the rotor and the sample containers carried thereon, to heat at least the latter and any sample material therein. A non-contact temperature sensing infra-red pyrometer having a sensor with a defined field of view is mounted in the chamber, such that while the rotor as such is substantially out of its field of view, each sample container at least partly occupies the pyrometer field of view for a part of each rotation of the rotor. The positions of the infra-red source and the pyrometer components are selected so that the radiation from the infra-red source does not impinge on the pyrometer sensor.

Abstract: A method of controlling the pressure within a chamber (12) of a drying apparatus (10) from which air and vapour is removed by a pump (30), which is operated continuously during the drying process. If both of a vent valve (18) and a pressure control valve (32) is opened, air at atmospheric pressure is drawn by the pump (30) directly from the pressure control valve (32), and via the chamber (12) and a non-return valve (26) from the vent valve (18). When the pressure in the chamber (12) is to be reduced both vent and pressure control valves (18, 32) are closed to allow the pump (30) to remove air, gas and vapor from the chamber (12) via the non-return valve (26). After a required chamber pressure has been reached, the pressure control valve (32) is opened while the vent valve (18) remains closed.

Abstract: A method of controlling the pressure within a chamber (12) of a drying apparatus (10) from which air and vapour is removed by a pump (30), which is operated continuously during the drying process. If both of a vent valve (18) and a pressure control valve (32) is opened, air at atmospheric pressure is drawn by the pump (30) directly from the pressure control valve (32), and via the chamber (12) and a non-return valve (26) from the vent valve (18). When the pressure in the chamber (12) is to be reduced both vent and pressure control valves (18, 32) are closed to allow the pump (30) to remove air, gas and vapour from the chamber (12) via the non-return valve (26). After a required chamber pressure has been reached, the pressure control valve (32) is opened while the vent valve (18) remains closed.

Abstract: A centrifugal evaporator is described comprising a chamber in which sample containers are carried and rotated by a rotor and are pivotally mounted so as to swing up into a horizontal attitude as the rotor rotates. The evaporator includes an infra red source to direct infra red radiation towards the rotor and the sample containers carried thereon, to heat at least the latter and any sample material therein. A non-contact temperature sensing infra red pyrometer having a sensor with a defined field of view is mounted in the chamber, such that while the rotor as such is substantially out of its field of view, each sample container at least partly occupies the pyrometer field of view for a part of each rotation of the rotor. The positions of the infrared source and the pyrometer components are selected so that the radiation from the infra red source does not impinge on the pyrometer sensor. In particular the infra red source radiation predominantly impinges on the sample containers rather than the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifugal evaporator is described comprising an enclosure having at least one swinging support rotatable therein and adapted to receive and support at least one microtitre well plate thereon. An infra red radiation source is operated during centrifuging to direct radiation towards the support. A removable shroud is fitted over the well plate and cooperates with the swinging support to form an enclosure which is impervious to direct penetration of radiation from the IR source. The shroud is vented to allow solvent vapour to exit due to evaporation during the heated centrifuging process. The openings in the shroud are baffled to prevent radiation entering the enclosure. The shroud is made up of two parts which fit over the well plate and co-operate with the support and each other to form the radiation free enclosure around the well plate.