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Technical Guides - XT15/XT15I

Analytical/ Results Troubleshooting


Q1. Why should I use the MoistureStop Desiccant Pouch?

Many instruments in the marketplace have the capacity to run 6 samples at a time. After being dried, the beakers, flasks or crucibles are placed into a counter top or cabinet desiccator. Once cooled, they are then removed one at a time and weighed. Each time the desiccator is opened to remove a sample, moist ambient air is introduced inside the desiccator. However, because the lid or door of the desiccator is opened just 6 times, the samples that remain in the desiccator after each item is removed are affected very little by ambient moisture that may
be introduced.

With Filter Bag Technology, generally larger numbers of Filter Bags are extracted at a time. As with the beakers, flasks, and crucibles mentioned above, if the bags are placed in a desiccator after drying, each time the lid or door is opened to remove a bag, moist ambient air is introduced. Because the desiccator is opened up to 24 time, the moisture can more readily affect the remaining bags. If a collapsible, ANKOM desiccant pouch is utilized, the air can be pushed out of the pouch each time a Filter Bag is removed. This technique provides an accurate and precise result. Every month it is possible to place the small desiccant packets into the oven at 100-105C for a few hours to insure that the desiccant is renewed. In addition, to insure the integrity of the desiccant pouch, regular replacement of the zip lock bag should
be considered.

Q2. Can the ANKOM Filter Bags be ashed?

The F57 filter bags is ash free and therefore can be used for ash determination. See Service Procedure #29 for the
Ashing procedure.

Q3. Why do I get low values when I hydrolysis my high fat samples?

Research with high fat samples has given us the
following understandings:

Some samples with fats that have low melting point triacylglycerides or emulsifiers may encounter fat migration during hydrolysis.

To improve fat retention, increase the level of Celite to sample ratio. A ratio of up to 7:1 can be used by reducing the amount of sample and increasing the amount of Celite. No more than 1.5g of Celite and sample should be placed in each bag.

The increased volume of Celite inside the bags will limit the number of samples processed in the Hydrolysis chamber to ten.

Reducing the hydrolysis temperature and time may also improve fat retention.

I, after increasing the Celite-to-sample ratio, fat continues to migrate from the bag then a crude fat extraction prior to the hydrolysis may be necessary. By running a crude fat extraction first, the readily available fats are removed before the hydrolysis, but are accounted for. The challenge with this technique is the additional time the process takes.

Fat migration can be detected by placing a blank bag next to suspect samples. Place blank bags next to high fat samples in the holder, and perform the hydrolysis. If a blank bag looses more than 0.0025g of weight during the extraction, this is an indication of fat loss from the neighboring high fat sample during the hydrolysis.

Q4. Why do I get negative crude fat values?

This can occur with samples that are very low in fat. Moisture left in low fat samples after the extraction is the issue. As AOCS Procedure AM 5-04 indicates, when the Filter Bags are removed from the Analyzer, they should be placed in an oven at 100 to 105C for 15-30 minutes. The bags are then placed in a desiccant pouch an allowed to cool to room temperature (10 to 15 minutes) and reweighed.

It is possible that the extraction time was not long enough to gain a complete fat extraction from the low fat sample. In the vast majority of samples, a 60 minute extraction is sufficient. However, a longer extraction period may be necessary if the results show minus values.

Negative values may also occur is the sample is holding onto the solvent in spite of the post extraction drying step. You can determine if this is the case by drying the samples either for an additional 3 hours at 100C or for an hour at 110 - 120C. Both of these scenarios help to release solvent binding. It should be noted that with the higher temperature drying, there is a concern that more than just the solvent can be blown off so the lower temperature drying may be preferable.

It is important to make certain that the small desiccant packets should be blue. If the contents are any other color, the desiccant is no longer absorbing moisture. Remove the packets from the zip lock bag and place them in an oven at 100 to105C for at least an hour and they will be renewed (blue color will return.) At ANKOM, we perform this renewal process at least once a month. In addition, to insure the integrity of the zip lock bag, regular replacement should be considered.

Q5. Why are my Crude Fat Results High?

The biggest factor that produces high crude fat results is incomplete drying in the pre-extraction phase. Because our technique uses the indirect method of determining fat (weighing what is left over after the fat has been extracted), it is vital that all the moisture of the sample is removed before the extraction. It is a good idea to regularly check your moisture (dry matter) values when performing fat extraction using ANKOM instrumentation. This can be done by simply weighing and recording the weight of the Filter Bag prior to filling it with sample. After the 3 hour drying step, when you re-weigh the bags plus sample, the following formula will give you the moisture value:

The biggest factor that produces high crude fat results is incomplete drying in the pre-extraction phase. Because our technique uses the indirect method of determining fat (weighing what is left over after the fat has been extracted), it is vital that all the moisture of the sample is removed before the extraction. It is a good idea to regularly check your moisture (dry matter) values when performing fat extraction using ANKOM instrumentation. This can be done by simply weighing and recording the weight of the Filter Bag prior to filling it with sample. After the 3 hour drying step, when you re-weigh the bags plus sample, the following formula will give you the moisture value:

100 x ((Filter Bag Weight + Sample Weight) - Weight After Drying) / Sample Weight

We would suggest each lab regularly test this analysis by utilizing a check sample or lab standard.

Low moisture values tend to be due to:

  • Not using or incorrectly using desiccant pouch
  • Incorrect oven temperature settings (100-105C)
  • Hot or cold spots in the oven
  • The oven is being over loaded with other samples
    or glassware

Q6.Is there a special way to handle High Fat Samples?

High Fat Samples are defined as any meat sample with a fat content >20% and any plant sample with a fat content >40%. See Service Procedure #125.

Q7. Can other solvents besides Petroleum Ether be used in the XT15/XT15I?

Petroleum ether is the most common solvent recommended for use in the XT Extractors.  Many other solvents will work depending on your individual objectives, but may require upgrades to the method or instrument in order for them to run effectively.  Hexane, for example will run, but occasionally will create an instrument fault on the first run of the day in cooler laboratories.  Simply restarting the instrument will solve this issue.  Some "higher penetrating" solvents (di-ethyl ether, ethyl ether, acetone, dichloro-methane, etc. ) require a seal upgrade before the instrument will work properly.  Chlorinated solvents (chloroform and methylene chloride) can be utilized in the instruments but these solvents tend to damage the XT4 Filter Bags so we don't recommend their usage.

Please contact ANKOM  (service@ankom.com) for part upgrade information or if you have a question about what solvent you plan to use.

Instrument Troubleshooting

Q12. How can the XT instrument be checked to verify that it is operating correctly?

Q13. Can other solvents besides Petroleum Ether be used in the XT15/XT15I?

The Q6 Valve (drain valve) is not opening correctly or there is a line blockage between the Q6 valve and the vessel. To best assist you. it would be helpful to run a test which will take approximately 10 minutes. Please contact ANKOM with your results.

To test:

  1. Verify that the Q6 solenoid, (the electrical connector) has not been swapped with the Q5 solenoid. If you are looking at the XT15 from the front, the solenoid marked Q6 should be on the right, the Q5 Valve should be on the left. If these were accidentally swapped, this would cause the problem.
  2. Remove the Q6 selenoid and open the Q6 valve. See Service Procedure #82
  3. Check the filter. It may need to be cleaned. See Service Procedure #104
  4. Remove the long tube that connects the Q6 valve to the vessel, and the short tube that connects Q6 with
    the condenser.
  5. Run air or nitrogen through both tubes to make sure they are not blocked.
  6. Blow air or nitrogen through all ports on the valve to make sure there is no blockage in the valve.
  7. Open the vessel and blow air through the tube connection on the back of the XT15, to confirm air travels into
    the vessel.
  8. Replace the rubber tip on the Q6 Valve Piston if you have a spare, and put the Q6 valve back together.
  9. Reconnect the 2 tubes.
  10. Verify that the white Teflon Cup does not have any blocked ports.
  11. Close the vessel.
  12. Run a 10 minute extraction. At the end of the extraction, when the screen goes to "Draining" start a timer and record the pressure every minute. After the pressure reaches zero, record the time. Then record the time when the screen
    says "Cooling".
  13. Contact ANKOM with your results.
    Pressure when "Draining" starts (start timer) ____
    Pressure at Minute 1,2,3,4,5,6, __,__,__,__,__,__
    # of minutes until "Cooling" cycle starts ______
    Pressure at start of "Cooling Cycle"______

Q2. Excessive pressure in the vessel after extraction is complete.

Possible Causes:

A valve may be "stuck" closed. If the instrument hasn't been used in awhile, it is possible that the solution is simply to clean the valves and clean any debris or buildup that may have settled on the valve piston.

To test:
Turn the instrument on and press <stop> to initiate a drain cycle. If the pressure does not drop to zero in 3 minutes, you will need to clean valves Q5 and Q6.

To clean valves Q5 and Q6:
Remove the back of the machine and clean the coils (do not get them reversed).

After the valves are cleaned and put back together, run a 10 minute extraction to see if this solved the problem. When the 10 minute extraction ends, the screen will say "Draining". Contact ANKOM if the pressure does not drop to Zero over the next 3-5 minutes.

Q3. How to change the solvent

See Service Procedure #114

Q4. Fault Screen: "ETS Heater"
"OverHeat" <ENTER>

See Service Procedure #103

Q5.Fault Screen: "Operating Temp" Fault

Possible Causes:

There is a leak. The most common cause is a leaky Q1 valve, which would cause cooling water to flow into the vessel during the heating stage.

To test:

  1. Turn the instrument completely off but keep the water supply on. Check to see if water is running out of the drain line. Water should not be running out of the drain line if the instrument is off. If it is, then you need to inspect and clean valves Q1, Q2, And Q3 (Q1 is the most important).

    To inspect the valves, turn off the water supply and see Service Procedure #82

  2. After inspecting the valves, turn your water supply back on and verify that no water is running through the drain line while the instrument is off. Run an extraction. If the vessel is not heating, contact ANKOM.

Q6. Fault Screen: "Ck levelsw<ent> "Is Vessel Full?" "Y<Start>, N<Stop>"

This fault display means the Level Sensor is indicating a full vessel when the vessel is actually empty. The Level Sensor has three parts:

  1. Glass Tip (visible inside the vessel)
  2. SICK Module (blue, found inside the electrical cabinet)
  3. Fiber Optic Cable that connects the glass tip to the
    SICK Module.

Possible Causes:

The glass tip needs to be cleaned. Open the vessel, remove the white Teflon bag holder, and locate the glass tip. Clean the tip with alcohol.

The SICK Module is not working correctly. Open the electrical cabinet and locate the SICK Module. It is blue and mounted to the back wall. If the vessel is empty, the white button on the SICK Module should be lit. If it is not lit, press and hold the white button until the button lights up. This will retrain the Sensor.

Q7. Fault Screen: "Level Sensor" Fault <Enter>

This fault display means that at the end of the extraction, the level sensor detected solvent in the vessel. (At the end of the run, the vessel should be empty, and the sensor should not detect solvent.)

Possible Causes:

Note: The instrument has either a Teflon Level Sensor or a Glass Tip Level Sensor

Teflon Level Sensor:

The Teflon Level Sensor may need to be replaced. Observe the Teflon Sensor. It should have a green light (power on, vessel empty) and a red light (power on, vessel full). The red light should not be on at the end of a run. If it frequently indicates red at the end of a run, it will need to be replaced. When contacting ANKOM for replacement assistance it would be helpful to know the Instrument Serial #.

The Teflon Level Sensor may need to reset itself. When the vessel is hot, sometimes it takes the Teflon Sensor a few minutes to reset. If this happens frequently it should be replaced with a Fiber Optic Level Sensor upgrade.. For Instruments with a "D Slot," see Service Procedure #107 or for Instruments without a "D Slot," see Service Procedure #109.

Glass Tip Level Sensor:

The Glass Tip Level Sensor may need to be retrained. Open the vessel and observe the solvent level. If the Glass Level Sensor is covered with solvent the Level Sensor Module light (inside the electrical cabinet) should be off. If the glass sensor tip is NOT covered with solvent and the module light is off, the level sensor needs to be re-trained See Service Procedure #92 or replaced. See Service Procedure 79.

Q8. How to clean the instrument and components

To obain proper cleaning methods. See Service Procedure #104.

Q9. There is solvent in the XT15/XT15I Vent Flask

There should not be any significant amount of solvent in the vent flask. If solvent is dripping into the flask during the extraction, there may be a leak in valve Q7 and it may need to be cleaned or replaced. See Service Procedure #82. Another possibility is the leaking is coming from the safety valve and the valve will need to be replaced. To determine if the safety valve is leaking, see Service Procedure #103, Point #4. If solvent is dripping into the flask at the end of the run, the water was not turned on or the water was too warm to cool the condenser.

Too much solvent dripping into the vent flask will result in an "ETS Heater Overheat" on the instrument's computer screen.

Q10. The Filter Bag is not Sealing.

Possible Causes:

The Dial on the Heat Sealer may not be turned up high enough. In order to seal the F57 Filter Bag, the dial must be set approximately "4" while the XT4 Filter Bag is sealed at a setting of "6."

The heating element is broken. On the sides of the Teflon cover are two shiny metal strips that keep it in place. Loosen the screws that keep the two strips tight to the base of the heat sealer and remove the Teflon cover. Check to see if there is a break in the heating element. If there is, take the extra heating element from the box that the heat sealer came in and replace the defective element.

The insulator is not properly installed. The insulator should be installed to ensure that the heating element does not touch any of the metal on the base of the heat sealer.

Q11. How much water should be flowing through the instrument during a run? (A chiller is not used for the water supply,)

When the instrument is not operating, no water should be flowing. If there is any water going out the drain, water valves, Q1, Q2, or Q3 need to be serviced. During the run, water will flow at different rates. During filling, there should be a steady stream of water flowing out the drain, but no water flowing through the flowmeter in front. Once the instrument reaches 90C, the reflux water valve (Q2), will turn on and off every minute or 2 throughout the extraction. When it turns on, the flowmeter should indicate at least 2-3 GPH (gallons/hour.) If your supply water is cold, a flow of 2-3 will work fine. A flow of 4-6 GPH would be ideal but it depends on the incoming water supply pressure. If there is good pressure but more flow is not achieved by adjusting the flowmeter, there may be a restriction in the water line or the flowmeter may need to be replaced.

At the end of a run, during the heater cooling cycle, there will be a noticeable higher water flow through the instrument. The water exiting the drain tube should be cool. If the water flow is a trickle throughout the run, the water filter (X97) may be clogged. The filter is the fitting that connects the water supply to the instrument. The filter may be removed to try to blow it out. If this doesn't work, a replacement filter (X97) may be ordered.


Q12. How can the XT instrument be checked to verify that it is operating correctly?

Here is short list of steps to verify that the XT instrument is operating correctly. Always refer to your manual for complete, detailed information. http://www.ankom.com/instrument-manuals.aspx

Refer to the link See Service Procedure 106 for a four page diagram that may help explain the operation.

1. Before starting, verify water pressure in ON and there in not water flowing through the drain line.

2. Add solvent to the XT15 fill cup until the solvent level reaches or exceeds the fill line in the site glass. (If XT10, add 350ml to vessel.)

3. Close the vessel, vessel should be held securely closed.

4. Select operating parameters and press START.

5. The XT10 will start heating immediately.

6. The XT15 will begin a FILL cycle. The Fill Valve (Q4) and Vent Valve (Q7) will open. After 60-90 seconds, solvent should fill the vessel and cover the glass level sensor in the XT15 vessel. The XT15 will start to heat.

7. During heating, observe the drain tube. There should be no water exiting the XT10 or XT15 during heating.

8. At minutes 3:00 and 4:00, the Q5 Valve will open briefly to exhaust any trapped air. The temperature on the LCD should rise rapidly. When it reaches 90C, the reflux cycle begins. Do not open the vessel. Pressure should be appproximately 20-50 psi, depending on the solvent.

9. At 5-8 minutes, the heat will reach 90C and the reflux cycle begins. The reflux cycle turns the reflux water on for 60 seconds and off for 30 seconds throughout the duration of the run. You can observe the water flow rate by viewing the flow meter to the left of the vessel.

10. After the extraction has been completed, the condenser water valve will open an cool the condenser. The Q6 drain valve opens and the hot solvent will be pushed out of the vessel and into the condenser. On the XT10, the solvent will condense and fill the vent bottle. On the XT15, the solvent will fill the reservoir and site tube.

11. After draining, the vessel base will be cooled with water. The vessel walls will remain

Q13. Can other solvents besides Petroleum Ether be used in the XT15, XT15I?

Petroleum ether is the most common solvent recommended for use in the XT Extractors.  Many other solvents will work depending on your individual objectives, but may require upgrades to the method or instrument in order for them to run effectively.  Hexane, for example will run, but occasionally will create an instrument fault on the first run of the day in cooler laboratories.  Simply restarting the instrument will solve this issue.  Some "higher penetrating" solvents (di-ethyl ether, ethyl ether, acetone, dichloro-methane, etc. ) require a seal upgrade before the instrument will work properly.  Chlorinated solvents (chloroform and methylene chloride) can be utilized in the instruments but these solvents tend to damage the XT4 Filter Bags so we don't recommend their usage.

Please contact ANKOM (service@ankom.com) for part upgrade information or if you have a question about what solvent you plan to use.