creation of the card

maintenance_of_cold_traps/maintenance_of_cold_traps.md

+---
+layout: page
+permalink: /internal/lab/maintenance_of_cold_traps/  
+---
+# Maintenance of cold traps  
+
+## Labconco Centrivap concentrator and cold trap
+
+The procedure describes the steps for routine maintenance of the Labconco Centrivap concentrators and cold traps.
+This maintenance is important to preserve the integrity of the glass bottles inside the cold trap.  
+
+**Instrument care officer** is responsible for cleaning the condenser once a year, changing the acid filter when necessary and filling the cold trap maintenance record sheet.  
+**The Users** are responsible for the routine maintenance of the instrument and filling the “cold trap maintenance record sheet”.  
+
+## Description  
+
+To ensure proper functioning of the centrivap concentrators and associated cold trap, a routine maintenance is necessary:  
+
+**_Personal Protective Equipment_**:  
+* Lab coat  
+* Nitrile gloves  
+
+1.	This routine maintenance is performed by the users of the instrument.  
+
+2.	If a glass bottle is used inside the cold trap, add 99% ethanol to the stainless steel trap until the glass bottle is at least two-thirds immersed.  
+
+3.	At the end of each week, the cold trap should be switched off and the condensed solvent in the glass bottle should be discarded in the corresponding waste container.  
+
+4.	If there is any ice in the stainless steel trap (outside the glass bottle), let it melt, drain the ethanol and replace it with fresh ethanol.
+To drain, use the faucet on the left side of the cold trap.  
+
+<div align="center">
+<img src="img/cold-trap_img_1.png" height="250">
+</div>  
+
+5.	Fill the “cold trap maintenance record sheet “ (Appendix 01)  
+
+6.	Restart the cold trap at the beginning of the following week
+
+**Once a year, the refrigeration system condenser of the Cold trap should be cleaned.**  
+
+**_Personal Protective Equipment_**:  
+* Lab coat  
+* Nitrile gloves  
+* Safety goggles  
+
+1.	This step is performed by a maintenance officer  
+
+2.	Switch off the instrument  
+
+3.	Use a vacuum cleaner with brush attachment  
+
+4.	Clean the condenser (on the left side of the cold trap) to ensure proper airflow for peak performance
+
+<div align="center">
+<img src="img/cold-trap_img_2.png" height="250">
+</div>  
+
+5.	Fill the “cold trap maintenance record sheet “ (Appendix 01)
+When necessary, the acid cartridge (LIMS ID: 10608) should be exchanged  
+
+* When the cartridge looks wet (see arrow on the following picture), it should be exchanged for a new one.  
+
+<div align="center">
+<img src="img/cold-trap_img_3.png" height="250">
+</div>  
+
+* This is done by a maintenance officer  
+
+* Switch off the instrument  
+
+* Unscrew the black cap out of the transparent container  
+
+* Remove the cartridge and replace it with the new one  
+
+* Close back the container  
+
+* Place the old cartridge in the chemical hood for evaporation in a retention container  
+
+* 24 hours later, trash it in a blue bin UN3291
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