Support Equipment

Frequently asked questions

What kind of vacuum pump do I need for extraction and purging?

Most extraction and concentrate purging tasks use a rotary-vane or scroll vacuum pump rated by ultimate vacuum (in microns or torr) and pumping speed (CFM). Solvent recovery and vacuum purging need a deep ultimate vacuum and chemical resistance to solvent vapor, so oil-free scroll or chemically resistant pumps are common. Size pumping speed to your chamber volume so pulldown is not slow.

Why use a nitrogen or hydrogen gas generator instead of cylinders?

A lab gas generator produces nitrogen, hydrogen, or zero air on demand from compressed air, removing the cost, downtime, and safety concerns of swapping high-pressure cylinders. For GC and other instruments, generators deliver steady purity and flow without running out mid-run. Choose a generator by the gas type, purity grade, and flow rate (often liters per minute) your instruments require.

Do I need a flammable safety cabinet for solvents?

If you store ethanol, hydrocarbons, or other flammable solvents, a listed flammable storage cabinet is typically required by fire code and helps protect personnel and property. Cabinets are sized by the volume of solvent they hold, and local regulations cap how much you may store per cabinet and per room. Confirm capacity needs and requirements with your local fire authority.

What should I look for in an analytical balance for a lab?

Pick a balance by capacity (maximum weight) and readability (smallest increment, such as 0.1 mg for an analytical balance). Potency calculations and formulation need fine readability, while bulk weighing needs higher capacity, so many labs keep both an analytical and a precision balance. Features like internal calibration, a draft shield, and stable response improve repeatability for accurate measurements.