UltiMate 3000 Series:
pH and Conductivity Monitor PCM-3000
Page 4 Operating Instructions
• Hazardous substances
Many organic solvents, mobile phases, and samples are harmful to health. Be sure that
you know the toxic and infectious properties of all substances that you are using. You
may not know the toxic or infectious properties of many substances that you are using. If
you have any doubt about a substance, treat it as if it contains a potentially harmful
substance. For advice on the proper handling of a particular substance, refer to the Safety
Data Sheet (SDS) of the manufacturer. Observe the guidelines of Good Laboratory
Practice (GLP).
Dispose of waste substance in an environmentally safe manner that is consistent with all
local regulations. Do not allow flammable, toxic, and/or infectious substances to
accumulate. Follow a regulated, approved waste disposal program. Never dispose of
flammable, toxic, and/or infectious substances through the municipal sewage system.
• Hazardous gases
Install the HPLC system in a well-ventilated laboratory. If the mobile phase or sample
includes volatile or flammable solvents, do not allow them to enter the workspace. If the
mobile phase or sample includes volatile or flammable solvents, avoid open flames and
sparks.
• Electrostatic discharge
Discharge of electrostatic energy may lead to sparking and can constitute a fire hazard.
Keep in mind that liquid flowing through capillaries can generate static electricity. This
effect is particularly pronounced in insulating capillaries and with non-conductive
solvents (for example, pure acetonitrile).
Take appropriate measures to prevent the generation of static electricity near the HPLC
system. For example, make sure that the air humidity level in the laboratory is
sufficiently high and provide proper ventilation, wear anti-static clothing or shoes,
prevent accumulation of air bubbles in waste lines, and use grounded waste containers.
Use only non-conductive capillaries to direct solvents into the waste container. With
electrically conductive capillaries, make sure that they are properly grounded.
• Self-ignition of solvents
Do not use solvents for which the self-ignition temperature is below 150 °C. In case of
leakage, these solvents may self-ignite on a hot surface.
• Capillaries, capillary connections, open connections
♦ Capillaries, especially non-metallic capillaries may burst, slip out of their fittings or
may not be screwed in. This may result in substances spraying out of the open
connections.
♦ In an UltiMate 3000 system, some components are made of PEEK™. This polymer
has superb chemical resistance to most organic solvents. However, it tends to swell
when in contact with trichlormethane (CHCl3), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or
tetrahydrofuran (THF). In addition, it is attacked by concentrated acids, such as,
sulfuric acid and nitric acid or a mixture of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol.