Off-Gassing Advantages of VapLock Closed Systems

Advantages of Spex® Closed Systems for Solvent Containment and Harmful Vapor Control

Spex VapLock Closed Systems are ideal safety solutions for scientists, chemical hygienists, and researchers worldwide who work with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and similar liquid-based technologies. Reagent and collection vessels paired with this equipment are often left open or ineffectively sealed during instrument operation, allowing chemical exhaust to be released directly into the laboratory environment through leaks, spills, and improper ventilation. When the fluid pathway is not properly contained, it poses health and safety risks, and—in more recent years—danger of regulatory violation and liability concerns. The products used in VapLock Closed Systems solve this problem by mechanically working together to effectively contain solvent and control the emission of harmful vapors that can be hazardous to both workers and the environment.

A Typical VapLock Closed System

  • 1A: Solvent reservoir fluid connection—a container cap with ports to fit tubing and provide leak-resistant connections.
  • example of a HPLC Solvent Closed System
  • 1B: Solvent reservoir ventilation control—a one-way valve allowing air to enter the bottle and prevent pump cavitation while minimizing reagent evaporation.
  • 2A: Waste container fluid connection—a waste collection manifold or kit, designed to work with a wide range of common laboratory and industrial containers and securely connect various waste lines from the system.
  • 2B: Waste container ventilation control—an exhaust filter, developed and tested specifically for HPLC organic solvents, to capture and scrub escaping fumes at the waste container.

Advantages of VapLock Closed Systems

  • Provide a safer and healthier laboratory environment

    Workers who use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), liquid chromatography mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), spectrophotometers, flow analyzers, or dissolution apparatus often work with common solvents that are flammable and toxic. Some of these chemicals are even known carcinogens. VapLock Closed Systems effectively safeguard both workers and the environment from exposure to hazardous vapors.
  • Meet regulations and laboratory best practices

    The EPA classifies many spent organic solvents as hazardous waste (EPA Title 40 CFR 261, Subpart D) and specifies that fluid pathways using these solvents must be kept closed (EPA Title 40 CFR 264.173). Violation of these regulations can often be met with stiff penalties and fines. VapLock Closed Systems meet these and other regulations to help companies stay compliant.

    Where regulations do not directly apply, VapLock Closed Systems adhere to laboratory best practices and safety guidelines, as defined by various global chemical associations and industries, by minimizing unhealthy exposure to reagent fumes.
  • VapLock HPLC Closed Solvent Waste System
  • Provide reliable closed systems

    VapLock Closed Systems provide a cleaner and more efficient means to collect hazardous wastes. All VapLock products, from caps and containers to manifolds and filters, easily fit together to contain hazardous vapors, creating a trusted barrier against solvent vapor release and exposure.
  • Offer flexibility and adaptability to most fluid-based equipment

    With a modular design, VapLock Closed Systems are flexible and adaptive to virtually any carboy or solvent container. They are a universal solution, regardless of instrument brand, that can be implemented wherever organic hazardous solvent wastes are generated by equipment in less than process-scale quantity. Retrofit options and custom solutions are also available.
  • Deliver repeatable analytical results

    VapLock Closed Systems regulate solvent extraction, maintain the pressure equilibrium, and control evaporation of the mobile phase, facilitating more repeatable analytical results. In response to regulations and best practices for hazardous chemical handling, many laboratories have called for closed system solutions to minimize solvent vapor release and exposure during instrument operation. VapLock Closed Systems were developed as a reliable solution for solvent containment and hazardous vapor control, promoting safer and healthier laboratories around the world.

To learn more about VapLock Closed Systems for your application, call 1-800-323-4340 to speak to an application specialist today.



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