DCHAS-L Archives, Jan 9, 2024 - Re: [DCHAS-L] [Safety3] [NAOSMM] Rotovap Vacuums and Condensers

Interesting, because a lab that recirculates air also recirculates all the gases and vapors that escape from chemical experiments endlessly since the filters in the HVAC can't capture any gases and vapors. But the ozone from outside air reacts with some of those chemicals, with surfaces, etc., and so the total ozone would decrease.

So in the 100% outside air side, the rubber degrades more rapidly while the people breathe less of the chemicals they work with and a bit of ozone from outside air. On the whole, I'd vote for letting the rubber degrade.

Monona

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 11:20:11 AM EST, Herring, Robyn (DES) <robyn.herring**At_Symbol_Here**des.wa.gov> wrote:

Is the building on 100% outside air or does the air recirculate.

Many years ago as an industrial hygienist, the campus had two wings of a lab science building. The wings were connected but were constructed at different times and had separate ventilation systems. The original wing recirculated about 80% of the air and the new wing was 100% outside air and did not recirculate any air.

Latex and rubber based products deteriorated much faster in the new wing. Turns out ozone was measurably higher in the new wing compared to the old wing. Ozone is incredibly detrimental to rubber based products.

Robyn Herring
Safety Manager

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services

c: 360-870-6411

f: 360-507-9260 | robyn.herring**At_Symbol_Here**des.wa.gov

www.des.wa.gov

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From: Safety3 <safety3-bounces**At_Symbol_Here**listserv4.auburn.edu> On Behalf Of James Kaufman
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2024 10:42 AM

To: Jeremy B. Vanderhyde <jeremy.vanderhyde**At_Symbol_Here**mail.wlc.edu>
Cc: hazwasteforum: C/U HazWaste Forum <HAZWASTEFORUM**At_Symbol_Here**lists.umn.edu>; naosmm**At_Symbol_Here**simplelists.com; Safety3**At_Symbol_Here**listserv3.auburn.edu; ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <dchas-L**At_Symbol_Here**princeton.edu>; LABSAFETY-L Discussion List <LABSAFETY-L**At_Symbol_Here**listserv.siu.edu>
Subject: Re: [Safety3] [NAOSMM] Rotovap Vacuums and Condensers

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I recall when the town of Newburyport, MA put in water discharge restrictions that caused Strem Chemical Co to stop using a water aspirator and purchase a separate vacuum pump. They added a cold trap to the line.

Why don't you do an experiment and put a cold trap between your Rotovap and the house vacuum? ... Jim

PS. LSI now has virtual lab inspections, safety program evaluations, document reviews, plus courses and seminars ... all virtual. And, a complimentary, updated version of our classic Laboratory Safety Guidelines is now available on our website ... https://www.labsafety.org/product/lab-safety-rules

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On Mon, Jan 8, 2024 at 1:26 PM Jeremy B. Vanderhyde <jeremy.vanderhyde**At_Symbol_Here**mail.wlc.edu> wrote:

Hello, fellow NAOSMMites!

Our school has recently begun questioning the equipment and procedures we use when rotovap-ing in our organic labs. Currently, we evaporate off using the house vacuum and condense using a cold-water coil condenser that is just connected to the domestic cold-water supply. I would just like some feedback and input as to what some of you are using and why.

For context, our science building is about 20 years old, and for many years has had a history of causing many latex/rubber/elastic objects to deteriorate in a short amount of time and in weird ways (anyone else have melting cabinet bumpers?) Administration and facilities have done a few things to try to get to the bottom of what could be causing this, and the most recent thing they've hit on is that it could possibly be vapors from the rotovap leaking into the air somewhere that is contributing to this. Our one-and-only organic professor admitted that only a fraction of the solvents that are boiled off are actually condensed and recaptured by the current condensing setup, so administration asked facilities to verify that the house vacuum vents outside (and not just into the pump room) which they were able to do. Even with that information, they are pursuing the idea of purchasing a stand-alone vacuum to put in a hood to pull the vacuum for the rotovap. In my mind, this would be a less optimal solution than using the house vac, at least from the standpoint of trying to release as few solvents into the building air as possible.

We are also looking at solutions to increase condensation rates such as an electric water chiller, which I think does make sense, but I'm also interested in hearing what you use for that.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Jeremy

-----

Jeremy Vanderhyde

Science Laboratory Services &

Building Manager, Generac Hall

Wisconsin Lutheran College

8800 W. Bluemound Rd.

Milwaukee, WI 53226

Work: 414-443-8766

Cell: 414-885-7762

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