Bio-Rad Aurum™ Vacuum Manifold User Manual
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Section 5
Vacuum Regulator
The vacuum regulator (see Figure 2) allows complete control of the negative
pressures inside the Aurum™ vacuum manifold, allowing optimum levels of
negative pressure for efficient sample preparation. This is particularly important
when a gradual increase in negative pressure is required during 96-well plate
purifications. Attached in-line between the vacuum source and filter flask, the
regulator measures the difference between ambient pressure and pressure
within the vacuum manifold in inches of mercury (inHg). The regulator is
capable of measuring negative pressures up to –30 inHg. See Table 1 for
pressure unit conversions.
At various points in the protocols, it is necessary to release the vacuum inside
the manifold so that plates and columns can be removed. To release the
negative pressure, rotate the regulator dial fully counter-clockwise until the
gauge reads < 1 inHg. The vacuum is restored inside the manifold by rotating
the control dial clockwise until the desired negative pressure is attained.
The regulator control dial is located off-center, toward the right side of the
regulator. The vacuum source is attached to the right hose fitting and the
vacuum manifold is attached to the left fitting (see Figure 3).
Table 1. Pressure unit conversions
To convert from inches of mercury (inHg) to:
Multiply by:
millimeters of mercury or torr (mmHg, torr)
25.4
millibar (mbar)
33.85
atmospheres (atm)
0.03342
pounds per square inch (psi)
0.4912
kilopascals (kPa)
3.385
Fig. 2. Vacuum regulator and gauge.
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Section 6
Vacuum Manifold Setup
Tubing provided is 4 ft long and must be cut in appropriate pieces before
proceeding.
Prior to setup, you may ensure that the gauge pointer is adjusted to zero by
removing the lens cover, followed by turning the adjustment pin located
beneath the dial face.
Vacuum setup
1.
Cut tubing into three pieces of appropriate length.
2.
Use one piece of tubing to connect the vacuum source to the right side
of the vacuum regulator.
3.
Use another piece of tubing to connect the left side of the vacuum
regulator to the sidearm of the filter flask.
4.
Place a rubber stopper with hole into the mouth of the filter flask. Insert
a serological pipette (or comparable) into the hole of the stopper.
5.
Snap in the black sealed end of the quick connect fitting into the manifold
base.
6.
Finally, use the last piece of tubing to connect the filter flask to the quick
connect fitting of the nozzle of the manifold.
Fig. 3. Vacuum setup conditions.
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