Operation Of Thermolab Vacuum Oven

1.0    PURPOSE:

1.1    To lay down the procedure for operation of THERMOLAB–VACUUM OVEN.

2.0    SCOPE:

2.1    This procedure is applicable in Quality Control department.

3.0    RESPONSIBILITY:

3.1    Junior Assistant / Senior Assistant – QC 
3.2    Senior Executive – QC 

4.0    ACCOUNTABILITY:

4.1    Manager – QC 
4.2    Asst. Manager – QC    

5.0    PROCEDURE:

5.1    Open the front door by loosening the four V-shaped handled nuts.
5.2    Keep the sample inside the trays in appropriate containers.
5.3    Close the door by tightening the V – shaped handled nuts gradually by giving equal tightening to all the nuts simultaneously.
5.4    On the top of the instrument, there is a vacuum valve provides with a nipple connected to it.
5.5    Connect this nipple with In part to a suitable vacuum pump using appropriate tube.
5.6    Keep the vacuum valve closed.  Switch on the Vacuum pump.  Slowly and gradually open the Vacuum until the vacuum gauge on the top of the instrument reads the required value.  Maximum limit 660 mm/Hg.

5.7    Once the desired vacuum condition is attained, close the vacuum valve tightly with hand.  Check for the constant reading in the vacuum gauge for 5 minutes.  If it is not stable further tighten the front door.
5.8    Repeat steps 5.6 to 5.7 again until the vacuum reading is stable.
5.9    Switch on the mains switch of the instrument.
5.10    For setting the required temperature, in the temperature indicator, press the PV/SV (Process/set) key.  A green light lit on under SV indicating that we are reading set value.
5.11    There are three upward keys and one downward key provided.  When we press the upward keys the corresponding digit starts blinking.  To increase those digits, press the same key.  The decrease those digits, press the downward key.  Set the desired value by these keys.
5.12    After setting the temperature, press the enter key so that the set temperature is saved.
5.13    Process the PV/SV key again. A red light lit on under the PV indicating that we are reading process value (i.e. Actual temperature inside the oven).
5.14    When the required temperature attained inside the oven, keep the sample for appropriate time.
5.15    Switch off the mains release the vacuum by opening the vacuum valve slowly and gradually and finally open fully.  The vacuum gauge reads zero now.
5.16    Open the front door by using the four V- shaped handled nuts.  Remove the sample container using tongs.
5.17    Keep the door closed again.

Note:  Never open the front door when the instrument is under vacuum condition.  The door can be opened only after releasing the vacuum.

Vacuum oven, simultaneously, gradually, gradually