Setting Up a DSC Cell/Cooler Conditioning Procedure

When an instrument and/or cooling accessory is first installed, this procedure should be run to dry the DSC cell and cooler before you turn on the cooler and start running any experiments.  During this test the flange temperature limits are raised.

Follow the instructions below to perform this operation:

1. Turn off the cooling accessory, if it is on.

2. Remove any samples from the cell and cover the cell.

3. Verify that the correct cooler is specified on the Tools/Instrument Preferences/Cooler page.

4. Display the Procedure Page. Select the "Cell/Cooler Conditioning" test from the list of available preprogrammed templates.

5. Enter the desired test parameters as follows:

• Conditioning Temperature:  The cell will be heated to this temperature and held isothermal to allow it to dry. The recommended temperature is 75°C.

• Hold Time:   This is the amount of time that the cell will be held at the conditioning temperature specified above. The recommended time is 120 minutes.

• Enable secondary purge:  When using the RCS or LNCS, it is recommended that a source of dry nitrogen gas be connected to the cooling gas port if the instrument is used in high humidity environments or when recovering from moisture contamination. When the Enable secondary purge checkbox is used, the secondary purge will supply additional dry gas into the RCS and LNCS housing when the AutoLid is opened or when the PCA is being used. This option should be left blank when there is not a secondary gas connected to the cooling gas port and/or the port is capped. See also:  Connecting the Cooling Gas Line.

• Additional Conditions: There are additional experimental conditions that can be changed to optimize specific situations. These are accessed using Advanced Parameters and Post-Test Conditions. Be sure that the Return to Temperature Range option is used (found on the Post Test window) to maintain an elevated temperature after the experiment finishes.

6. When you have finished setting up this procedure, you can enter more information by selecting the Notes Page and Summary Page for this run. If your instrument has a Mass Flow Controller, verify the proper flow rate is specified on the Notes Page. The recommended flow rate is 50 mL/min.

7. Click the Apply button when finished to save these changes.

8. Start the run.

After this test is conducted, turn on the cooling device and leave it on for 30 minutes prior to starting your experiments.

NOTE: You can use any test template as the basis for a custom test by selecting the desired test template from the list of tests, then click the Apply button and change the test to Custom. Then you can click on the Procedure Page and then the Editor button to make the changes desired.

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