Troubleshooting – Finish Thompson LS-JRE User Manual

Page 6

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The following are a few tips for diagnosing some problems you may experience during the use of your LS-Jr. If the following sug-
gestions do not pinpoint the cause of your problem, contact FTI’s toll-free “Service Hotline” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

1-800-888-3743

WARNING: ANY ELECTRICAL TESTS PERFORMED ON THIS UNIT MUST BE PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.

WARNING: BEFORE PERFORMING ELECTRICAL TESTS, UNIT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE HAZARDOUS AREA.

PROBLEM: No distillate (clean solvent) is being produced.
POSSIBLE CAUSES:

• No power to the unit. Check main circuit breaker and/or electrical supply to the unit.
• Boiling point of solvent is too high (consult the solvent’s MSDS). Use an LS-JrVac attachment for solvents with boiling

points between 300° and 500°F.

• Unit is not level. Install the LS-Jr on an even, level surface.
• Temperature control circuit needs reset. Push the start/stop switch to the “stop” position for a minimum of five (5) seconds

to reset.

• Cooling water flow is insufficient or not cool enough. Verify proper cooling water supply (refer to “Plumbing Connections”

section of this manual).

• Solids content in dirty solvent too high. Process less contaminated solvent.

PROBLEM: A batch takes longer than 8 hours to process.
POSSIBLE CAUSES:

• Boiling point of solvent is too high (consult the solvent’s MSDS). Use an LS-JrVac attachment for solvents with boiling

points between 300° and 500°F.

• Solids content in dirty solvent too high. Process less contaminated solvent.

PROBLEM: Distillate appears dirty or discolored.
POSSIBLE CAUSES:

• Over-filled boiling vessel. Limit each batch to 5 gallons or less.
• Violent boil or “bumping” from water in the dirty solvent. Eliminate water from the waste solvent.
• Unsafe pH. Distilled solvent appears green or blue. Neutralize the solvent to a pH between 6 and 9 (refer to the “Operating

the LS-Jr” section of this manual).

11. Keep the condenser water flowing for an additional 1/2 hour after turning off the LS-Jr. This is to recondense any remaining

vapors from the boiling chamber.

12. Allow the LS-Jr to cool down below 100°F before attempting to remove the lid. This takes approximately 8 hours (over night).
13. Disconnect the hoses from the LS-Jr lid. Using the handles, slowly lift and remove the lid from the top of the boiling chamber.

Set the lid down on a clean, flat surface.

14. Wearing proper eye and skin protection, remove the Stilbag retaining ring and carefully lift out the residue-filled Stilbag. Dis-

pose of residue according to local regulations.


NOTE: Do not attempt to re-use the Stilbag. It is designed only for one batch.

15. Clean out the inside of the LS-Jr’s boiling chamber using a soft, damp cloth. If necessary, a little bit of clean solvent can help

loosen residues. For baked-on residues, use the optional plastic Stilscraper or other plastic utensil.


NOTE: Do not use metal tools to scrape the boiling chamber. Scratching the non-stick coating voids the warranty.

TROUBLESHOOTING

6

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