Gel dryer

Gel dryers make more limited demands on vacuum system than many lab applications. The ultimate vacuum needed depends on the gels used and the degree of drying needed. In most cases, two-stage diaphragm pumps with 7 mbar ultimate vacuum are ideal.

Process requirements

• medium vacuum requirements
• relatively high flow rates. There may be high leak rates in gel drying, so the flow rate should be watched closely throughout the process
• condensate and droplet separation between the gel dryer and pump
• vacuum regulation is beneficial to keep the gels from tearing

Demands made of the vacuum pump

• excellent chemical and condensate compatibility
• ultimate vacuum of as much as 7 mbar (for SDS-PAGE below 10%) or to 1.5 mbar (for SDS-PAGE greater than 10%)
• sufficient volume flow rate: 2 m³/h or higher
• vacuum inlet separator (AK) to protect the pump from particles and liquid droplets
• for major condensate accumulation, it is helpful to have a vacuum inlet separator (AK) and an exhaust emission condenser (EK) to minimize environmental and laboratory air pollution with solvent vapors
• vacuum regulation, such as with a manual flow-control valve

Recommended systems

Ultimate vacuum 7 mbar vacuum for sequencing gels, for example, with SDS-PAGE up to 10%, including gels that may have been previously operated with water jet pumps:

Ultimate vacuum to 1.5 mbar for high boiling point solvents at low temperatures, or for gradient gels with SDS-PAGE >10%: