Milestone ETHOS LEAN, EASY, & UP microwave digestion systems
Industry report – Elemental analysis in food laboratories
Demand for trace metals analysis in the food industry is continually growing due to stricter food regulations. ICP has been the standard for metals analysis for food, but as demand for lower levels of detection grows, the industry is experiencing a significant transition to ICPMS. This transition is placing increased emphasis on the sample preparation method.
An industry report on sample preparation of food samples is available that provides information on recovery data for certified reference food materials using the ETHOS UP and MAXI-24 HP rotor.
ETHOS UP & ETHOS EASY
The ETHOS UP & ETHOS EASY microwave digestion systems fully embody Milestone’s philosophy in microwave sample preparation. Specifically designed for closed vessel acid digestion, they offer a perfect integration between microwave hardware, user interface, reaction sensors and pressure vessels. With a comprehensive choice of accessories, they additionally offer a complete first-class solution for microwave solvent extraction, organic and inorganic synthesis, protein hydrolysis, and vacuum evaporation.
Completely new design
Both ETHOS EASY and ETHOS UP systems have a microwave cavity in excess of 70 litres, the largest currently available. This enables digestion rotors with more sample places for improved laboratory throughput, and an added degree of safety should any venting take place from vessels during a digestion run. Equipped with two 950 Watt magnetrons the systems can operate at up to 1900 Watt making them the most powerful systems available. Additionally, a rotating diffuser evenly distributes the microwaves throughout the cavity enabling very fast heating and the complete digestion of the most difficult samples.
Rotors
A number of rotors offering high quality digestion and high sample throughput are available for both systems. The SK-15 is a high-pressure rotor featuring up to 15 vessels, the MAXI-14 and MAXI-44 are medium pressure high-throughput rotors featuring up to 14/44 vessels. The MAXI-24 is a both a high performance and high throughput rotor with a capacity up to 24 vessels. Highest safety is ensured with a series of reaction sensors.
User interface
Both systems are controlled via compact terminals with an easy-to-read, bright, full-colour, touchscreen display. The terminals run an icon-driven, multi-language software to provide easy control of the microwave run. Simply recall a previously stored method or create a new one, press ‘START’ and the system will automatically follow the user defined temperature utilising a sophisticated PID algorithm. Hundreds of applications, including all US EPA methods, are already preloaded. There is no need to input the number of samples or weights being digested, as the software will automatically regulate the microwave power accordingly. This assures a consistent quality of digestion and simplifies the use of the instrument.
Milestone Connect
Included with the two systems is a unique web based application – Milestone Connect. The app provides up to date information and extended instrument monitoring from outside the laboratory of every sample in the digestion run that ultimately helps to provide high quality sample preparation. The app works on various external devices such as PC, tablets or smartphones. The integral database includes specific and detailed information on the installed equipment (list of parts, technical notes, user manual, video tutorials, etc), continuously updated application notes, a library of available scientific articles published in scientific magazines, and a help-on-line section that provides instant support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Safety
In conjunction with the safety aspects incorporated into the rotors and vessels, the systems feature a full stainless steel door with an innovative opening and self-resealing mechanism. Should there be a sudden over pressurisation of the cavity, the door slightly opens for rapid and safe pressure release and the microwave power is instantaneously cut off. Immediately after, the door is pulled back, resealing the cavity. For additional safety, an automatic door locking system does not allow the user to open the door during the microwave run. At the end of the run, the door remains locked until the solutions have cooled down to a user preset temperature. This prevents misuse of the instrument and in turn exposure of the chemist to high pressure vessels.
ETHOS LEAN
The ETHOS LEAN has been specifically designed to provide high-quality closed-vessel acid digestion for laboratories with lower throughput requirements. The compact and economical system is supplied with a 14 place medium pressure rotor with easy handling. Digestion is controlled via EasyTEMP infrared sensor that monitors the temperature in each vessel ensuring complete digestion.
The system features reliable hardware, made completely of stainless steel with a corrosion-resistant coating to ensure long durability. An intuitive, icon-driven user interface is included with hundreds of preloaded methods with advanced reaction control that ensures high digestion quality.
Features
- Reliable and durable hardware with stainless steel cavity & corrosion-resistant coating
- Compact and economical taking almost half of the conventional microwave footprint.
- User-friendly interface with hundreds of preloaded methods
- Easy and fast handling with unique vessel design construction.
- Advanced reaction control for high digestion quality
- Fast cooling – 200°C to 80°C in 7 minutes even with a complete rotor
Rotor
The MAXI-14 rotor has a capacity of 14 PTFE-TFM vessels with a volume of 100ml and is suitable for a wide range of samples including environmental and all organics. The unique construction simplifies the rotor handling with fast and trouble-free vessel assembly. The rotor operates in perfect synergy with easyTEMP sensor and easyCONTROL software to ensure complete and safe digestions of a wide array of organic matrices, such as environmental samples of soil and sediments in compliance with US EPA methods.
User interface
The ETHOS LEAN is controlled via a compact terminal with an easy-to-read, bright, full-colour, touchscreen display. It runs an icon-driven, multi-language software that is fully compliant with CFR 21 part 11. Simply recall a previously stored method or create a new one, press ‘START’ and the system will automatically follow the user defined temperature.
Hundreds of applications, including all US EPA methods, are already preloaded. There is no need to input the number of samples or weights being digested, as the software will automatically regulate the microwave power accordingly. This assures a consistent quality of digestion and simplifies the use of the instrument.
Milestone Connect
The Ethos LEAN includes Milestone Connect, a web based application that provides up to date information and extended instrument monitoring from outside the laboratory of every sample in the digestion run that ultimately helps to provide high quality sample preparation.
The app works on various external devices such as PC, tablets or smartphones. The integral database includes specific and detailed information on the installed equipment (list of parts, technical notes, user manual, video tutorials, etc), continuously updated application notes, a library of available scientific articles published in scientific magazines, and a help-on-line section that provides instant support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Safety
In conjunction with the safety aspects incorporated into the rotor and vessels, the Ethos LEAN features a full stainless steel door with an innovative opening and self-resealing mechanism. Should there be a sudden over pressurisation of the cavity, the door slightly opens for rapid and safe pressure release and the microwave power is instantaneously cut off. Immediately after, the door is pulled back, resealing the cavity. For additional safety, an automatic door locking system does not allow the user to open the door during the microwave run. At the end of the run, the door remains locked until the solutions have cooled down to a user preset temperature. This prevents misuse of the instrument and in turn exposure of the chemist to high pressure vessels.