As an important laboratory and industrial production equipment, the basic knowledge of centrifuge involves many aspects, including working principle, type, operation steps, application field, safety and maintenance, etc. The following is a detailed explanation of the basic knowledge of centrifuge:
Working Principle
The centrifuge generates centrifugal force through high-speed rotation, so that different components in the mixture move to different positions due to differences in density or size, thereby achieving separation. Specifically, when the centrifuge is started, the rotating tube (or centrifuge tube) containing the mixture rotates at high speed, and the different components in the mixture are separated to different positions under the action of centrifugal force. The particles with higher density will settle at the bottom of the centrifuge tube, while the liquid components will be repelled to the top.
Types
Depending on the purpose and structure, centrifuges can be divided into many types, such as desktop centrifuges, floor-standing centrifuges, high-speed centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, etc. Each type of centrifuge has its specific application scenarios and performance characteristics.
Operation steps
1. Prepare samples: Evenly distribute the samples to be separated into each centrifuge tube, making sure that the sample volume does not exceed the maximum capacity of the centrifuge tube.
2. Select the rotor: Select the appropriate rotor according to the experimental requirements and ensure that the rotor is firmly installed.
3. Place the centrifuge tube: Place the centrifuge tube containing the sample symmetrically in the rotor to maintain the dynamic balance of the centrifuge.
4. Set the centrifuge parameters: Set the appropriate speed, time and temperature on the control panel of the centrifuge (if the centrifuge has a temperature control function).
5. Start the centrifuge: Close the centrifuge cover, make sure the safety locking device is enabled, and then press the start button to start the centrifugation process.
6. Operation after centrifugation: After the centrifugation is completed, wait for the centrifuge to stop rotating completely before opening the cover and taking out the centrifuge tube for subsequent operations.
Application fields
Centrifuges are widely used in many fields, including but not limited to:
1. Biochemistry and molecular biology: used to separate biological macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and organelles and cell fragments.
2. Genetics: In genetic research, centrifuges also play an important role in processing and analyzing genetic materials.
3. Chemical and petroleum: used for oil-water separation, catalyst recovery, etc., and can also be used for chemical concentration, recrystallization, impurity removal and other processes.
4. Pharmaceutical: used to separate drug components and purify, etc., and is an indispensable equipment in the pharmaceutical process.
5. Food industry: such as for the extraction of fruit and vegetable juice, milk powder separation in the dairy or dairy product manufacturing industry, etc.
6. Environmental protection and wastewater treatment: through high-speed rotation to separate precipitation and impurities, liquids and solids in water, etc., to remove pollutants in water.
7. Medical: used in blood stations, hospitals and other places to separate blood components such as plasma and platelets to provide support for clinical treatment. In medical laboratories, it is used to separate blood samples, urine samples, fecal samples, etc.
Safety and maintenance
1. Safe operation: During the operation of the centrifuge, do not forcefully open the cover or touch the rotating rotor to prevent danger. At the same time, ensure that the centrifuge is placed on a stable table to avoid vibration and shaking.
2. Sample preparation: The sample should be evenly distributed in the centrifuge tube to avoid excessive vibration of the centrifuge due to unbalanced rotor. For biological samples, attention should also be paid to aseptic operation to avoid contamination.
3. Maintenance and care: Clean the centrifuge and rotor regularly to ensure its performance and extend its service life. At the same time, check the various parts of the centrifuge regularly to see if they are intact.
4. Troubleshooting: If the centrifuge makes abnormal sounds or vibrates too much during operation, it should be stopped immediately for inspection and troubleshooting before use. If you encounter problems that cannot be solved, you should contact professionals or equipment manufacturers for repairs in a timely manner.