Desiccator CabinetPass-through desiccators are the most important instrument in a laboratory if it comes to the handling of highly sensitive and highly aggressive chemical compounds. Many a times the workers and the scientists comes across such chemicals which are super reactive and super sensitive. They cannot bear the slightest changes in their environment and if exposed to them they will just blow off the whole experiment. Such chemical compounds should be treated more carefully than the others.
Role of a pass-through desiccator
Pass-through desiccators have a special role in the laboratory. Desiccator Cabinet are mainly used for bringing the humidity level down in a chamber so that the moisture sensitive chemicals does not react with the humidity. They are basically used to prevent the contact between the chemical and the atmospheric moisture. Desiccators serve the main purpose of making an apt environment for the chemical to preserve it and store it.
Specifications of a pass-through desiccator
Pass-through desiccators are similar to the normal desiccators but there are some specifications which make it more useful and efficient than the normal desiccators. Let us have a look at the specifications and see what the required qualities of a pass-through desiccator are?
- A pass-through desiccator must have separate chambers. This feature is important because pass-through desiccators are capable of transferring the compounds from one chamber to another. Hence if there are more chambers the transfer process is easier for the worker. Also this is one of the properties which a normal desiccator does not possess but a pass-through desiccator do.
- The second important specification is that a pass-through desiccator must be extremely sealed and closed container. Desiccators are meant for the prevention for atmospheric humidity to enter into the chambers. Hence a proper sealed and enclosed desiccator is an ideal one. Also the normal desiccators are not so efficient in preventing the contact as if you open them then there are chances for the moisture to enter the environment. But pass-through desiccators does not give that loop hole.
- The environment of a pass-through desiccator must be contaminant free. Even a small dust particle can cause a lot of damage to the experiment. Hence it should be made sure that none of the dust particle enter the desiccator region. Pass-through desiccator are extremely enclosed boxes hence the chances of entering any chemical is minimal.
- Airlock chambers should be in a proper working condition. As the transfer of chemical compounds is possible in a pass-through chamber is possible it is really important to make sure that the airlock chambers work absolutely fine. Because if they are not then there are chances of moisture content entering into the chambers and spoiling the whole procedure.
- Sliding doors and removable shelves are one of the quality which a pass-through desiccator must possess. These will help in easy movement of the chemicals and the storage process will be much easier.
- The last but not least the pass-through desiccators should be sterilized properly. Sterilization is important so that no harmful particles can enter the desiccator. Also hand operation in a desiccator are not appreciated much.
These are some of the specifications of an ideal pass-through desiccator.