NOVA-8 Tips and Techniques

NOVA-8 is a special rotor devoted to difficult applications (high temperature and pressure); that’s why the
conditions of every part become a “key” point for a correct functioning of the rotor.

Getting ready
Before using the rotor Milestone suggests to check the following parts of the rotor:

P/N Description Picture

HB00039 HTV-75 Teflon vessel

DD00087 Cover

APCU-100 Reference pressure

APU6084*
control unit
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

APU6083 APCU-100 Pressure control unit

SG0006 Ceramic safety shield

* The APU6084 can be used only with the 050214/M6 sensor. More information can be found in the User
manual

If you need p/n of the other parts, please see the Nova-8 Technical notes.

Teflon vessels (p/n HB00039)

Nova rotor with HTV-75 Vessels should always be used when the specifications clearly exceed the standard
digestion conditions. In fact, the consequence of a regular usage of it is that the limits of the material like
Teflon are regularly reached and the vessel material is subject to particular stress. Since there is no other
material besides Teflon that allows an unlimited usage of all digestion acids including liquids, the following
recommendations must be absolutely followed to face hard applications and to maintain a reasonable
vessels life.

• Before starting any run, check the conditions of vessels (see next “checking of the vessels” paragraph).
• Always employ vessels with an homogeneous level of usage.
• Do not mix new and old vessels without running a cleaning procedure (see “Teflon vessels cleaning
procedure” paragraph).
• If the usual conditions can be no longer safely reached due to the level of usage, the entire vessel set
must be replaced.
• Check periodically (maximum every 10 runs) the microwave absorption of all vessels and do not use
vessels that absorb microwaves.

Checking of vessels

To understand the conditions of vessels please check the following parameters:

• Each vessel must perfectly fit into the ceramic shield; if it doesn’t fit, please follow instructions in next
chapter.
• Opening of the vessels must be regular and not deformed by pressure.
• Vessels and covers must perfectly sealing.
• Each vessel must be completely cleaned and no particles have to be attached to the internal or external
walls, in order to prevent hot spots.
• If the working temperature is very high (over 250°C), the bottom of the vessel could become porous; if
this kind of porosity is noticed in one or more vessels, you must replace them.

Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Rev. 00/08 -2-
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Due to very strong working conditions, some gases (e.g. NOx or Cl2) developed during the run at high
temperature could be absorbed by the vessels; in order to keep them in optimal conditions and to increase
their lifetime, Milestone suggests to run the cleaning procedure below described.

Fitting of the vessel into the ceramic shield

It is extremely important that the assembly of the reactor is done in accordance with the Nova user manual.
The vessel must perfectly fit into the ceramic shield, as described in the picture:

The picture shows the correct positioning of the vessel; the flange of
the vessels must touch the top part of the ceramic shields.

and not

In case the vessel doesn’t fit properly into the ceramic shield, place it in a freezer for 60 minutes and then
introduce the vessel into the ceramic shield.

If after the freezing step the vessel doesn’t fit into the ceramic shield, it must be replaced.
If instead it is fitting well, please run the following procedure:

- 12 ml of H2O in the vessel

- assembly the complete reactor and close the vessel
- run the microwave program

Time Power Temperature

20 minutes 1000W 180°C
10 minutes 1000W 180°C

After this procedure the vessel should be perfectly adapted to the ceramic shield and it can be used for any
digestion cycles.
If the vessel will not perfectly fit into the shield even after this procedure, it must be replaced.

Teflon vessels microwave absorption test

Introduce the vessels (empty, clean and completely dry) into the microwave cavity and run the following
microwave program:

Time Power Temperature Number of vessels

45 seconds 600W 0°C Up to 8
45 seconds 400W 0°C Up to 4
Nova-8 Tips and Techniques
Rev. 00/08 -3-
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

As soon as the run is finished, touch them very carefully and use body protections; they must be back at
room temperature (completely transparent to microwaves).
Only if vessels are completely cool, they will not absorb microwaves and they can be used again; if they are
warm, they will absorb microwaves and they can not be used until a cleaning procedure is performed (see
below the “cleaning procedure” description).

Warning
Be careful during the above explained procedure; if vessels absorb microwaves the temperature can become
very high; so touch them carefully.
A maximum temperature of about 30°C is acceptable.

Teflon vessels cleaning procedure

If vessels are absorbing microwaves, they cannot be used for digestion cycle, until they are perfectly
cleaned.
In order to get them back to the original status, Milestone suggests to:

Clean the vessels with soap and water solution, dry and place them into an oven (electric or microwave) at
120-140°C for 2/3 hours.

At the end of the Teflon cleaning procedure and after the cooling, repeat the absorption test, if they still
absorb microwaves, that means they are deeply contaminated, therefore repeat the cleaning procedure
again (Note: if the vessels absorb even after two cleaning cycles, they must be replaced).

Milestone suggests to repeat the cleaning procedure (general guidelines):

• every 10 runs if the working temperature is lower then 240°C

• every 7 runs for working temperature between 240 and 260°C
• every 5 runs at 260°C
• every 3 runs above 260°C

Replacement of the Teflon vessels

The TFM vessels have to be replaced in the following cases:

• the opening of the Teflon vessels are not regular or it is deformed.

• the sealing between vessels and covers is not good.
• the bottom of the vessel is porous.
• if the vessels absorb microwaves even after two cleaning cycles.
• if the vessels are not fitting well into the ceramic shield.

Warning
Before using olds and news vessels in a same run, a cleaning procedure must be performed.

Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Rev. 00/08 -4-
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Covers (p/n DD00087)

The covers of Nova-10 rotor are working at a very high temperature and pressure, therefore a periodic
check of this part is required.

Basic rules:

- recondition the covers every run

- check the sealing between covers and vessels
- check possible damages on the PEEK or on the TM^FM part of the covers

Reconditioning of the covers

Before starting every run it is necessary to recondition each high pressure cover used.
Covers can be inserted in the conditioning plate (optional) and left for few minutes.

Otherwise, they can be reconditioned one by one by turning upside down side the pressure cover and press
the reconditioning tool on it.

Replacement of the cover

Covers have to be replaced in the following cases:

• bad sealing between cover and TFM vessel

• visible damage on the TFM or on the PEEK part
• not appropriate fixing of the PEEK part of the covers to the Teflon part (the TFM part is not well glue
to the PEEK)

Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Rev. 00/08 -5-
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

APCU-100 Pressure control unit (p/n APU6083/ APU6084)

The APCU-100 is a self release system patented by Milestone.
The APCU-100 contains a safety spring able to release the pressure if the reactor reaches its pressure limit.
This part is a real “key” point of the rotor, therefore a good maintenance on it must be done, in order to
assure the maximum performance of Nova-10.

The standard safety valve (APU6083) is composed by the following parts:

Standard valve Protection foil APCU-100

DD00076 APU6045 APU6083

The standard valve and the protection foil must be replaced in case of damage. The standard valve is an
important part of the rotor, because it guarantees a perfect sealing of the reactor and maximum safety
conditions.

The Reference valve (APU6084) is the following:

the APU6084 has a dedicated thread for the 050214/M6 sensor.

Warning
If the APCU-100 is not in good conditions, the vent and reseal technology cannot work properly.
The APCU-100 must be replaced if corrosion appears on it.

Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Rev. 00/08 -6-
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Checking of the APCU-100 conditions

O-rings inside the APCU-100 can be damaged because of critical conditions, due to the acid fumes or to the
strong working conditions.
If o-rings are damaged, it is possible to see part of them escaping from the APCU in the bottom part,

or in the top part.

If o-rings are damaged or not in the correct position, APCU-100 must be replaced.

Warning
Milestone will not be responsible for any damage caused by inappropriate handling of the APCU-100.

Other parts of the APCU

The standard valve (DD00076) and the protection foil (APU6045) must be checked every run; in case of
damage they must be replaced.

The protection foil can be damaged during a venting, whereas the standard valve can be damaged due to
long usage or to high temperature.

Ceramic safety shields (p/n SG0006)

Ceramic shields are specifically designed to avoid the thermal softening and deformation of the Teflon
vessels at high temperature and pressure. In fact, Teflon vessels are subjected to very strong conditions;
that’s why a special maintenance is required.
Nova-8 Tips and Techniques
Rev. 00/08 -7-
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Milestone suggests to check the status of ceramic shields every run.

Warning
Micro-scratches can dramatically reduce the mechanical proprieties of ceramic shields; if some scratches are
noticed, the ceramic shields must be replaced.

Ceramic shields are still in good conditions if no scratches or any type of damage is presented on the inner
and/or on the external walls of the shields.

Scratches can be generated by:

- thermal shock (temperature difference of 100°C)

- overloaded of the ceramic shields (do not close too much the vessels)

If no scratches are observed, make the following test to check the level of acid contamination in the shields:

Introduce ceramic shields (empty, clean and completely dry) into the microwave cavity;
Run the following program:

Time Power Temperature Number of vessels

1 minute 800W 0°C Up to 8
1 minute 500W 0°C Up to 4

As soon as the run is finished, check their temperature: they must be at room temperature (that is
completely transparent to microwave).
If ceramic shields are completely cool, they do not absorb microwaves and they can be used again; if they
are warm, they absorb microwaves and they can not be used until a cleaning procedure is performed (see
below the cleaning procedure description).

Warning
Take care during the above procedure; if vessels absorb microwaves the temperature can be very high,
touch them carefully.

Ceramic shields that absorb microwaves cannot be used for any kind of applications, until the cleaning
procedure is performed.

Ceramic shields cleaning procedure

All ceramic shields that are not transparent to microwaves need the cleaning procedure to be carried on as
described below:

• Clean ceramic shields with water and soap, then dry them.
• Place them in a solution at 10/15% of H2O2 at room temperature and than heat the solution, up to
90-100°C*.
• Ceramic shields must be completely covered by the safety shields.
• Leave them inside the solution for one hour, heat again the solution and leave them for another
hour.

Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Rev. 00/08 -8-
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Or

• Place the safety shields in a oven at 120°C for 2-3 hours*.

*In order to avoid thermal shock of ceramic material, do not put shields in a preheated solution or oven.

At the end of the cleaning procedure, rinse with water and dry them.

Repeat the absorbing microwave test; if they still absorb microwaves, that means they are deeply
contaminated, therefore repeat the cleaning procedure again.

Warning
The ceramic shields cannot be cleaned in a ultrasonic bath.

Replacement of the ceramic shields

The ceramic shields must be replaced if:

• They fall down.

• They hit another ceramic shield or any hard material.
• They have any type of scratch.
• After the second cleaning procedure there is still a microwaves absorption.
• They have any spots on the walls, due to thermal shock or acid.

Milestone suggests to be equipped with a ceramic shields holder to prevent any damage to them:

N° P/N Description Picture

Universal plate 10
1 35280
positions

Adapter for ceramic

10 PH10006
shields

Bottom adapter
Nova-8 Tips and Techniques
Rev. 00/08 -9-
 Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

The bottom adapter of the Nova (35395):

The bottom adapter is made in a special ceramic material and it can be cleaned in the oven at 120°C.

Nova-8 Tips and Techniques

Rev. 00/08 - 10 -