Abstract: A continuous flow reactor, a method of performing a continuous flow reaction, and a method of controlling a moveable wall of a reaction chamber of a continuous flow reactor. The reactor comprising: an inlet; an outlet; and a reaction chamber, between the inlet and the outlet and providing a flow path therebetween, the reaction chamber having a moveable wall; the reactor further comprising: a pressure sensor configured to monitor a fluid pressure in the continuous flow reactor; and a controller, operable to adjust the position of the moveable wall, and thereby change a volume of the reaction chamber, based on the monitored fluid pressure.

Abstract: A continuous flow reactor, a method of performing a continuous flow reaction, and a method of controlling a moveable wall of a reaction chamber of a continuous flow reactor. The reactor comprising: an inlet; an outlet; and a reaction chamber, between the inlet and the outlet and providing a flow path therebetween, the reaction chamber having a moveable wall; the reactor further comprising: a pressure sensor configured to monitor a fluid pressure in the continuous flow reactor; and a controller, operable to adjust the position of the moveable wall, and thereby change a volume of the reaction chamber, based on the monitored fluid pressure.

Abstract: Provided is a pump and a method of controlling a pump. The pump and method are particularly for use in dispensing reagents, for example in flow chemistry, and more particularly on a laboratory scale. The pump aims to provide a substantially constant output flow of fluid. The pump comprises: a motor; a peristaltic pump having a rotor driven by the motor; a pressure sensor monitoring the pressure of the pumped fluid downstream of the pump; and a control unit which controls the motor by adjusting the standard operating speed of the motor according to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, such that the pump operates continuously at a rate set by an operator. Embodiments of the pump make use of lookup tables to determine a desired position of the pump rotor at each point in the cycle with the entry point into the lookup table being determined by the feedback from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting low temperature reactions is disclosed, the reaction vessel comprising: a circulation chamber with an entry port for the supply of a cooling medium at a temperature below ambient to said circulation chamber and an exhaust port; and a reaction chamber and a centrifugal fan arranged concentrically-inside the circulation chamber so that gas in said circulation chamber is forced radially outwards by the operation of said fan, wherein the movement of the gas past the reaction chamber maintains the temperature of reactants inside the reaction chamber at a temperature below ambient. A chiller for providing a gas supply at a temperature below ambient is also disclosed which may be used with the above reaction vessel.

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 heater for supplying heat to a plurality of detachable reactors is provided, the heater including a plurality of independent heating zones, each heating zone including: a hot-air heater; an output port adapted for connection to a heating cavity of a reactor; an exhaust port adapted for connection to the heating cavity of said reactor; and an air source arranged to cause air heated by said hot-air heater to pass through said output port and to return through said exhaust port when a reactor is attached to said output nozzle and said exhaust port. The heater can supply highly controllable heat to a plurality of different types of reactor while controlling the temperature of each individually. A kit containing a heater and a variety of reactors is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating solutions in a vaporising receptacle (1) is provided wherein the receptacle (1) has a mouth (3), and the axis of the receptacle is perpendicular to the mouth.

Abstract: A method of protectively heating a microtitre well plate from below using infra-red radiation in a centrifugal evaporator, wherein a barrier plate is placed in contact with and surrounding the lower ends of the wells. The barrier plate is adapted to convey heat energy to the wells and contents thereof and is selected to be substantially non-transmittive of radiation having wavelengths in the range 200 nm to 3000 nm, and the surface of the barrier plate which is to receive the wells includes a plurality of sockets in which the closed lower ends of the wells are a snug fit. The plate is adapted to fit between the underside of the wells and a swinging sample holder mount of a centrifugal evaporator, or a shelf of a swinging sample holder mount, having two or more shelves for stacking well plates one above the other in such an evaporator.

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 method of protectively heating a microtitre well plate from below using infra-red radiation in a centrifugal evaporator, wherein a barrier plate is placed in contact with and surrounding the lower ends of the wells. The barrier plate is adapted to convey heat energy to the wells and contents thereof and is selected to be substantially non-transmittive of radiation having wavelengths in the range 200 nm to 3000 nm, and the surface of the barrier plate which is to receive the wells includes a plurality of sockets in which the closed lower ends of the wells are a snug fit. The plate is adapted to fit between the underside of the wells and a swinging sample holder mount of a centrifugal evaporator, or a shelf of a swinging sample holder mount, having two or more shelves for stacking well plates one above the other in such an evaporator.

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.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for centering a disc drive assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes a rotational hub of a spindle motor, several annular spacer elements, and several disc platters loosely assembled into a disc pack. The rotational hub, each of the discs, and each of the spacer elements are centered respectively using a corresponding set of three springs as points of contact. The alignment and positioning of the springs are precisely controlled. Once centered, a retaining nut is fastened to a threaded portion of the spindle motor to firmly clamp the disc pack together before withdrawing the springs. Hub centering springs, disc centering springs, and spacer element springs are all adapted to provide the three points of contact for each component of the disc pack.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for centering a disc drive assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes a rotational hub of a spindle motor, several annular spacer elements, and several disc platters loosely assembled into a disc pack. The rotational hub, each of the discs, and each of the spacer elements are centered respectively using a corresponding set of three springs as points of contact. The alignment and positioning of the springs are precisely controlled. Once centered, a retaining nut is fastened to a threaded portion of the spindle motor to firmly clamp the disc pack together before withdrawing the springs. Hub centering springs, disc centering springs, and spacer element springs are all adapted to provide the three points of contact for each component of the disc pack.

Abstract: A method of controlling a centrifugal evaporator in which materials in solution are to be evaporated by rotation in an evacuated evaporation chamber. The method prevents bumping and therefore cross contamination as between one solvent and another in the chamber. Thus prior to centrifuging and reducing the chamber pressure, temperature within the chamber is sensed and a first warning signal is generated if the sensed temperature is greater than a stored temperature value associated with the most volatile solvent component present in the chamber. The first warning signal provides a warning to an operator, and typically inhibits operation of the evaporator. Cooling of the chamber can follow a first warning signal. Data entry means is provided for entering data identifying the solvents in use, and a computer is programmed to compare the entered data with data in a look-up table defining the safe temperatures for different solvents, to identify the safe temperature at which evacuation can begin.