ANKOM RF - Manual (Page 37)

Operator’s Manual
Rev F 8/29/14
pg. 37
If a Module is not holding pressure, re-apply pressure (using either of the two methods above) and perform
the following checks:
4.23 Place a small amount of soapy water on the end of the vent valve tube. If it is leaking, clean the
tube using the procedure in Appendix A.
4.24 Place a small amount of soapy water on the Luer Port. If it leaks it will need to be replaced
(Luer Port part # 7147). To replace the port, unscrew it and clean the threads in the housing.
Then apply a sealant (e.g., Locktite 425 or Teflon tape) to the threads on the new port and screw
it into the housing until snug. Check for leakage from the threads.
4.25 Check the Glass Bottle seal by either placing it in water just above the connection, or by holding
the bottle upside down and looking for bubbles after applying soapy water to threads. If leaking
is detected, inspect the bottle gasket (part # 7074) and replace as needed.
Do not allow water into the Module: When placing a Module Assembly in
water, do NOT allow the water level to reach the vent tube or damage will
occur. When using a water bath, do NOT cover the bath and the RF modules
with a lid as the trapped humidity will be detrimental to the electronics. Instead,
use bath balls to cover the surface of the water and control the temperature and
evaporation.
5. Prepare the Buffer to be used in your study.
See Appendix B for examples of Buffer Preparation used in Rumen studies.
6. Prepare the Inoculum to be used in your study.
See Appendix B for examples of Inoculum Preparation used in Rumen studies.
7. Prepare the Sample (substrate) to be used in your study.
Depending upon how fermentable the sample is, the quantity of sample will vary. In addition to the quantity
of fermentable sample, the length of time the incubation is conducted must be taken into consideration. The
quantities of sample and buffer may be sufficient for a 24 hour incubation, but they may not be sufficient for
a 48 hour incubation. By measuring the pH at the end of the incubation period you can determine if the
buffer maintained the proper pH throughout the incubation. This will allow you to alter the sample-to-buffer
ratio to fit the desired incubation period.
See Appendix B for further information about Samples used in Rumen studies.
8. Add Buffer and Inoculum to the Blank to be used in your study.
When running a study using the ANKOM RF Gas Production System, corrections must be made for the
following two factors:

Gas produced by the inoculum.

Gas lost by slight permeability of CO
2
through the elastomeric components of the system (in a
pure CO
2
environment under 2 psi pressure, studies show that the permeability rate is 0.02 psi/hr).
Running a blank in your study will correct for both factors.
The gas permeability rate of 0.02 psi/hr is only a reference. This is NOT to be
applied broadly. Use the results of your Blank as the correction factor.
Place buffer and inoculum in the Glass Bottle used as a Blank.
Do NOT use any sample (substrate) in the Glass Bottle used as the Blank.