Biotage Extrahera (Installation and Safety)

Importance of the Topic

Automation of sample preparation has become a cornerstone in analytical chemistry, driving higher throughput, improved reproducibility, and enhanced safety. The Biotage Extrahera system addresses the growing demand for reliable, unattended processing of complex matrices, reducing manual intervention and exposure to hazardous solvents.

Study Objectives and Overview

This documentation aims to guide users through the installation, configuration, and safe operation of the Biotage Extrahera automated sample preparation platform. It provides step-by-step instructions for unpacking, site preparation, utility connections, software licensing, and system commissioning.

Methodology

The installation workflow covers:

• Site requirements: adequate bench or fume hood ventilation (6 m3/min), electrical grounding (100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz), ambient conditions (18–32 °C, 10–90 % RH), load-bearing capacity.
• Gas supplies: class 1-6-1 nitrogen for sample sealing (1 L/min processing, 70 L/min drying at 6 bar) and compressed air for actuation (5 L/min at 6 bar).
• Vacuum connection: <500 mbar partial pressure, ≥8.3 L/min flow.
• Mechanical setup: four lifting handles, spirit level adjustment, solvent rack placement, waste and tip bin integration.
• Software configuration: license acceptance, network setup (two LAN ports), firmware upgrades.

Used Instrumentation

The Biotage Extrahera includes:

• Five solvent inlet pumps feeding 25 mL reservoirs (optional 100 mL rack).
• Pipetting module (50–1 000 µL) with ±1–2 % accuracy and 1 % CV.
• Pressure unit for SPE, SLE, and filtration protocols (0–5 bar range).
• Integrated vacuum manifold with clog-detection capability (with GLP software license).
• 12.1″ touchscreen interface, USB 2.0 and dual Ethernet ports.

Main Results and Discussion

The installation guide ensures:

• Safe handling of solvents and gases through dedicated filtration, pressure regulators, and ventilation adapters.
• Operator protection via interlocked door, exhaust fan, and clear hazard labeling (RoHS, WEEE compliance).
• Maintenance protocols to prevent contamination and clogging, emphasizing authorized service and consumable integrity.

Benefits and Practical Applications

By following the recommended installation and safety procedures, laboratories can achieve:

• Reliable unattended sample preparation for environmental, pharmaceutical, and food testing.
• Reduced risk of exposure to corrosive or flammable chemicals.
• Consistent sample throughput with minimized downtime and maintenance.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advancements may include tighter integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance using IoT connectivity, expanded clog-detection across new consumable formats, and broader compatibility with green solvent methodologies.

Conclusion

Proper setup and adherence to safety guidelines are critical for maximizing performance and safeguarding personnel when operating the Biotage Extrahera. This installation and safety framework lays the foundation for robust, high-throughput sample preparation in modern analytical laboratories.

Reference

No external literature references were provided in the original document.