TurboVap - LV Building on Solid Foundations

Importance of the Topic

Efficient and reproducible solvent evaporation is a cornerstone of modern analytical chemistry workflows. It directly affects sample integrity, throughput, and data quality in environmental, pharmaceutical, and food safety laboratories. Advances in evaporation technology can deliver faster processing, lower variability, and reduced solvent consumption.

Objectives and Overview

This study introduces the second generation TurboVap LV and evaluates its performance against the historic model. Key aims include assessing improvements in evaporation speed, analyte recovery, precision (RSD), and operational flexibility brought by new design features driven by customer feedback.

Methodology

Comparative experiments were conducted using standard analyte spikes in dichloromethane to measure recovery and RSD. Evaporation tests at 40 °C were performed across solvents (water/methanol, ethyl acetate, methanol, acetonitrile) under constant, stepped, and ramped gas flow modes. Gas flow rates ranged up to 1.8 L/min for the old unit and lower values for the new TurboVap LV to demonstrate efficiency.

Instrumentation

• TurboVap LV second generation system featuring patented gas vortex shearing technology
• Well-lit glass tank for sample visibility
• Removable and replaceable nozzles with on-the-fly adjustment
• Programmable evaporation flow gradients via user-friendly touch screen
• Multi Rack accessory accommodating 1.5 mL to 60 mL tubes and vials in 24 or 48 positions
• PTFE-coated manifold and treated nozzles for resistance to aggressive acids and bases

Main Results and Discussion

Performance testing showed the new TurboVap LV delivered approximately 3 percent higher analyte recoveries and 44 percent reduced RSD compared to the previous model. Evaporation times decreased significantly across all solvent types and modes. Even at lower gas flows, the new design achieved faster evaporation, demonstrating improved efficiency and lower gas consumption.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced throughput due to reduced evaporation times
• Improved precision and analyte recovery for QA/QC and research labs
• Flexible sample handling from micro-vials to larger tubes
• Compact footprint allowing bench or fume hood installation
• Compatibility with automation platforms and rapid conversion between LV and II workflows
• Robust operation with aggressive solvents thanks to PTFE-treated components

Future Trends and Opportunities

Integration with automated sample preparation and digital laboratory ecosystems is expected to expand. Further software enhancements may enable adaptive flow control and AI-driven optimization. Development of specialized racks and solvent-specific workflows could broaden applicability in emerging analytical fields, while sustainability efforts may focus on solvent recycling and energy reduction.

Conclusion

The new TurboVap LV builds on a proven design, delivering faster, more reproducible evaporation with enhanced flexibility and safety. Its advanced features and improved performance make it a valuable tool for a wide range of analytical applications.

References

• No external literature references were provided in the source document.