[RASMB] Volatile buffers in AUC question

[Andrew Leech]

I'm sure a lot more solvent went through the pumps we used when I was
a chemist (when the cold traps warmed up). Mass spec systems also see
solvent and manage ok. I don't think it would be too difficult to
attach a hose to the backing pump exhaust inside the XLI, and lead it
to a suitable vent, if you were worried about it.

IPA seems to be a popular co-solvent for some protein chromatographers
these days. Is there much data on its effect on density and viscosity?

All the best,

Andrew

On 14/10/2015 20:03, John Philo wrote:
> Oh, you didn’t say you meant combustion after being expelled through the
> vacuum pump, so I thought you were talking about combustion inside the
> chamber. I tend to doubt a flash of the vapor coming out of the vacuum
> pump is very likely, or that the amount of energy from 40 microliters (<
> 1 cal I think) would do much anyway, but that is way outside my expertise.
>
> Regarding the Allergan rumor, yes they did build a fume hood around
> their centrifuge in case there was a leak of Botox, but I’m virtually
> certain they never trashed a centrifuge because there was one.
>
> John
>
> *From:*David Hayes [mailto:drdavidbhayes at yahoo.com]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 14, 2015 10:46 AM
> *To:* jphilo at mailway.com; RASMB <rasmb at rasmb.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [RASMB] Volatile buffers in AUC question
>
> Hi John,
>
> I was told that the outlets of the vacuum pumps went right into the
> inside of the centrifuge:  so the leak from the cell would be expelled
> as a vapor into the chassis of the centrifuge.
>
> Similarly, if a botox sample cell leaked, the toxin could go just about
> anywhere and they would have to throw away the centrifuge:  (a second
> hand apocryphal story from Allergan).
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> David
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:*John Philo <jphilo at mailway.com <mailto:jphilo at mailway.com>>
> *To:* 'David Hayes' <drdavidbhayes at yahoo.com
> <mailto:drdavidbhayes at yahoo.com>>; 'RASMB' <rasmb at rasmb.org
> <mailto:rasmb at rasmb.org>>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 14, 2015 1:21 PM
> *Subject:* RE: [RASMB] Volatile buffers in AUC question
>
> David, if it were leaking into vacuum (no oxygen), how could it burn? Am
> I missing something?
>
> John
>
> *From:*RASMB [mailto:rasmb-bounces at list.rasmb.org] *On Behalf Of *David
> Hayes
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 14, 2015 9:59 AM
> *To:* RASMB <rasmb at rasmb.org <mailto:rasmb at rasmb.org>>
> *Subject:* [RASMB] Volatile buffers in AUC question
>
> Hi all,
>
> I have a sample where we want to run in a buffer with 10% IPA.
>
> In general, because of the possibility of ignition of flammable
> components if there was a cell leak, People at AUC workshops say not to
> run organic solvents in the Beckman XLA/XLI instruments.
>
> Should I be worried about this buffer with 10% isopropyl alcohol?
>
> Even if a cell leaked and 40 micro liters of IPA evaporated along with
> the aqueous components, how big of a flash would it be?  Could it damage
> the instrument?
>
> I know that polymer chemists also run AUC and wonder if there is any
> actual experience with organic solvents and any verified incidents of
> cells leaking and causing fire damage.
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> David Hayes
>
>
>
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-- 
Dr Andrew Leech                   *  Laboratory Head
Technology Facility               *  Molecular Interactions Laboratory
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