Vernier MLT-BTA Quick Start Manual

Melt Station
(Order Code MLT-BTA)
The Melt Station is a sensor used to measure the
melting temperature of solid substances.
Note: Vernier products are designed for
educational use only.
What's Included
Melt Station
l
Power supply
l
Package of 100 capillary tubes, one closed end
l
Compatible Software
See
www.vernier.com/manuals/mlt-bta
Melt Station.
Using the Product
Using the Melt Station with LabQuest App
You can connect the Melt Station directly to LabQuest
Example Procedure for LabQuest-Based Data Collection
1. Load a small portion of a solid substance into a capillary tube.
2. Check the control dial on the Melt Station to confirm that it is in the Off
position. Connect the Melt Station power supply to a powered electrical outlet.
3. Connect the Melt Station to LabQuest. Turn on LabQuest. In a few moments
the meter screen will appear and the temperature of the Melt Station's heating
block will be displayed.
4. Carefully place the capillary tube of solid into one of the three slots in the
aluminum heating block of the Melt Station. You can tilt the Melt Station
toward you slightly for a better look at the heating block.
5. Tilt the Melt Station up or down slightly to get the best view of the solid
sample through the viewing lens.
6. The default setting is 100 readings per minute for 20 minutes, which is suitable
for most tests. If you want to change the data-collection parameters, tap Mode,
in the upper right-hand corner of the meter screen and make the desired
changes.
7. Start data collection. On the Melt Station, turn the control knob to the Rapid
Heat area. The red LED will come on, indicating the Melt Station is heating.
Rapid Heat will warm your solid sample at a rate of >10°C/min.
8. Observe the temperature vs. time graph. When the temperature is within about
10°C of the expected melting temperature of your solid sample, turn the
control dial to that temperature, which will slow the heating rate to
~1.5°C/min.
9. Carefully observe your sample. At the first indication of the solid melting,
press the Mark button to mark the temperature on your graph. When the entire
solid has melted, press the Mark button again to mark the temperature. The
for a list of software compatible with the
®
.
two marked points describe the melting temperature range of your solid
sample. Tap Data Marks to the right of the graph to label or delete a Mark.
10. Stop data collection. Tap the File Cabinet icon (upper right-hand corner of the
graph screen) to store your first run. On the Melt Station, turn the control knob
to the Fan/Cooling setting. The blue LED will come on, indicating the Melt
Station is cooling.
11. Prepare a second solid sample to test. Observe the temperature of the heating
block in the meter screen. After the heating block cools to a suitably low
temperature, repeat Steps 7–10.
Using the Melt Station with Graphical Analysis
Launch Vernier Graphical Analysis
Chromebook, computer, or mobile device. You will need to use an interface.
Example Procedure for Data Collection with Graphical Analysis
1. Load a small portion of a solid substance into a capillary tube.
2. Check the control dial on the Melt Station to confirm that it is in the Off
position. Connect the Melt Station power supply to a powered electrical outlet.
3. Connect the Melt Station to a LabQuest Mini or Go!Link
Graphical Analysis. A default data collection profile will load. The meter will
show the temperature of the Melt Station's heating block.
4. Carefully place the capillary tube of solid into one of the three slots in the
aluminum heating block of the Melt Station. You can tilt the Melt Station
toward you slightly for a better look at the heating block.
5. Tilt the Melt Station up or down slightly to get the best view of the solid
sample through the viewing lens.
6. The default setting is 100 readings per minute for 20 minutes, which is suitable
for most tests. If you want to change the data-collection parameters, tap Mode,
in the lower left-hand corner of the screen and make the desired changes.
7. Start data collection. On the Melt Station, turn the control knob to the Rapid
Heat area. The red LED will come on, indicating the Melt Station is heating.
Rapid Heat will warm your solid sample at a rate of >10°C/min.
8. Observe the temperature vs. time graph. When the temperature is within about
10°C of the expected melting temperature of your solid sample, turn the
control dial to that temperature, which will slow the heating rate to
~1.5°C/min.
9. Carefully observe your sample. When the solid begins to melt, select Graph
Tools, , and then Add Annotation. Enter the temperature. When the entire
solid has completely melted, add a second annotation. The two values marked
on your graph describe the estimated melting temperature range of your
substance.
Note: If you have Graphical Analysis Pro, it includes a data marking feature.
At the first indication of the solid melting, press the Mark button to mark the
temperature on your graph. When the entire solid has melted, press the Mark
button again to mark the temperature. The two marked points describe the
melting temperature range of your solid sample.
1
®
. Connect the Melt Station to your
®
interface. Launch