Condensation Build-Up In Pal Tray Coolers - Thermo Scientific Accela Open Autosampler Hardware Manual

Condensation Build-Up in PAL Tray Coolers

Thermo Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific recommends checking regularly for condensation build-up. It is
good practice to clean the inside of the stack cooler when changing the analytical samples, dry
out the stack cooler at ambient temperature at regular intervals, and open the drawers 1– 5 cm
(0.5–2.0 in.) for air circulation. The compartment drying frequency depends greatly on
surrounding conditions.
Condensation build-up is directly related to the temperature and relative humidity/
temperature in ambient air (dew point). Long term tests showed little build-up of
condensation in an environment of relative humidity up to 60 percent and 22 ±2 °C ambient
temperature.
A built-in drain line, as installed in stack coolers, is not provided in a tray cooler.
It is also good practice to install the Plexiglass lid whenever possible to avoid condensation
build-up. You might not be able to install a lid for certain applications, for example, if a vial
has to be transported to an Agitator or a Barcode Reader. In certain situations, the height of
the vial is the limiting factor for installing a lid. Operating a tray cooler under less than
optimal conditions requires some on-site improvisation. A simple foil or lid with cut-outs for
the vials will limit condensation build-up dramatically.
Thermo Fisher Scientific recommends checking regularly for condensation build-up. Clean
the inside of the tray cooler when changing the analytical samples, and dry out the tray cooler
at ambient temperature at regular intervals.
Note For certain applications, a change from a tray cooler to Stack 2DW Cooler might be
indicated. As long as deep well, microtiter plates, or 2 mL vials (TrayType VT54) are
being handled, this change is positive with respect to condensation build-up. It would also
double the capacity of the trays.
4
Operating the Temperature Controllable Stack Coolers
Accela Open Autosampler Hardware Manual
Condensation Build-Up
79