Would something like an insulated cabinet cooled by a recirculating
chiller work? All electrical circuits would be outside the cabinet.
Cheers!
Dave Lane
Chief Science Officer
Zyviva Laboratories
On 7/30/25 8:28 AM, Margaret Rakas wrote:
> Good morning-
>
> We have a new faculty member who is purchasing an FPLC instrument that
> needs to be kept between 2-8C.
>
> FPLC typically uses aqueous buffers and salt solutions for purifying
> proteins; however, 20% ethanol is routinely used to clean columns,
> which are kept within the instrument during this process. If the
> instrument will not be used for a longer period of time than a few days
> (think December holiday break) then it is generally recommended to store
> the columns in 20% ethanol.
>
> This is our first FPLC. 20% ethanol is flammable. It doesn't appear
> there are many alternatives for cleaning/prevention of bacterial growth.
>
> How do other institutions deal with the flammability issue? I thought I
> had found a solution with one supplier's chromatography refrigerator
> with a "safety switch protected internal outlet" but upon checking with
> their tech support, was informed this safety switch only protects in
> case of an electrical short in the line, has nothing to do with
> detection of flammable vapor.
>
> I am really stuck here--unless I'm missing something. The FPLC vendor
> does not sell refrigerators and referred our faculty to the standard
> scientific vendors. I am now wondering if we need to install an
> explosion-proof fan in one of our cold rooms (which is ventilated with
> fresh air).
>
> Feel free to contact me privately either over the phone (my number is
> below) or else via email.
>
> thank you all so much
>
> Margaret
>
> --
> Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
> Lab Safety & Compliance Director
> Clark Science Center
> Smith College
> 413-585-3877 (p)
>
> --- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the
> Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
> <mailto:membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>
---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org