FAQ Category
FAQ Group
- (-) Remove Assays and Methods filter Assays and Methods
- (-) Remove General fluid delivery filter General fluid delivery
- Faults (13) Apply Faults filter
- Maintenance and Service (10) Apply Maintenance and Service filter
- Enzyme delivery (4) Apply Enzyme delivery filter
- Results (4) Apply Results filter
- Consumables (2) Apply Consumables filter
- Instrument set-up (2) Apply Instrument set-up filter
- Filtration (1) Apply Filtration filter
- Instrument (1) Apply Instrument filter
- Mixing (1) Apply Mixing filter
Why am I seeing different fluid levels in the filter bags at stations 1-3 vs. 4-6?
Why am I seeing different fluid levels in the filter bags at stations 1-3 vs. 4-6?
This may be the result of one of the IDF or SDF valves being stuck in a closed or partially closed position. Using the Diagnostics screen select "Valve Test" and look for "IDF Inlet", "SDF Inlet" and "Waste" buttons. Run a brief test using the screen to open and close each valve. Confirm by looking at the pinch valve at the back of the instrument to see that it is opening and closing properly.
If any of the valves are not opening properly, refer to TDF Service Procedure TS008 to replace the pinch valve. The TDF29 Pinch Valve Assembly-IDF/SDF or TDF29.1 Pinch Valve Assembly- Waste can be ordered through the Product Catalog on this website or by calling 315-986-8090.
Little or no fluid is being delivered to the IDF and/or SDF spray nozzles at one bag position; what should I do?
Little or no fluid is being delivered to the IDF and/or SDF spray nozzles at one bag position; what should I do?
1) There could be a hole in the suspect bag position’s fluid line after or within the PUMP causing a leak in the back of the instrument. To determine if this is the cause, tilt the instrument forward and look for a leak from the silicone tubing. Open the Pump doors and check for leaks from the Pump Tubes. Close the Pump doors. Use Diagnostics to run a Pump Tube Test and check for leaks in the post-pump tubing specific to the problematic line. Observe the pressure result from the line in question. If there is a leak, a fitting or tube may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM Technology 1-315-986-8090 for replacement parts or order replacement parts through the Product Catalog on this website. If there are no leaks but the pressure result for the suspect line is low from the previously performed Pump Tube Test, this would point to a leak prior to the Pump causing the Pump to suck air through the hole (Step 2 below) OR a blockage in the line somewhere along the suspect tube length (Step 3 below).
2) There could be a leak in the fluid line prior to the PUMP. To determine if there is a leak in the tubing line prior to the pump, run the following test:
Under Diagnostics, select Motor Test. Set Output valve Water to open and close all other Output valves and all Input valves. Set the Motor Direction to REV (reverse). Put the ends of the Waste tubes in a beaker of water but before disconnecting them from the tubing holder, label them individually 1-6 for easy identification and re-attachment later. Leave the volume set to 10 mls and press GO.
Look for any leaks prior to the pump. Follow the suspect tube back from the Pump to the Manifold looking for any leaks along the suspect line. If there is a leak, a fitting, tube, or Manifold may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM Technology at 1-315-986-8090 for replacement parts or order replacement parts through the Product Catalog on this website. If there is no leak before or after the pump, proceed to issue step 3 below.
3) There could be a blockage in a fluid line prior to the PUMP. To identify a blockage in a line prior to the Pump, run the following test:
Under Diagnostics, select Motor Test. Set Output valve Water to open and close all other Output valves and all Input valves. Set the Motor Direction to REV (reverse). Put the ends of the Waste tubes in a beaker of water but before disconnecting them from the tubing holder, label them individually 1-6 for easy identification and re-attachment later. Next, disconnect the single (larger diameter tube) at the bottom of the Manifold from the 6-way fitting. Leave the short (1 ½”) length of tube attached to the bottom of the Manifold. Prepare to collect the fluid from the bottom of the Manifold into a clean beaker. Leave the volume set to 10 mls and press GO.
Look for any particles, dried enzyme, or mold growth being washed out of the manifold. If contaminants are seen, repeat this but draw Ethanol in at the Waste lines and repeat until the collected fluid is clear.
4) There could be a blockage in a fluid line after the PUMP. To identify a blockage in a line after the pump, consider the following. First it should be noted that by performing the procedure in step 3 above, a blockage may have been flushed backward through the line and out through the Manifold. In most cases performing the procedure in step 3 will correct a blockage before or after the pump, but if it does not, contact ANKOM Technology at https://www.ankom.com/contact/technical-services or 1-315-986-8090 for additional diagnosing direction.
After identifying and resolving the problem, reconnect all tubing and repeat a Pump Tube Test to be sure each tube is being pressurized and holding pressure properly. Also run a Motor Test setting the Supply valve WATER to open and the IDF Output to open. Make sure the Motor Direction is FWD (forward) and place six beakers under the IDF delivery nozzles. Press GO and confirm fluid is delivered to each beaker equally. Do the same with the SDF Output valve open and beakers under the SDF delivery nozzles. If these tests pass, your instrument is ready to be put back into service.
What is the bag weighing procedure?
What is the bag weighing procedure?
What are the procedures for inserting sample and Diatomaceous Earth into the filter bags?
What are the procedures for inserting sample and Diatomaceous Earth into the filter bags?
How do I perform a pH adjustment during the IDF phase?
How do I perform a pH adjustment during the IDF phase?
Follow the steps in this instructional video to perform a pH adjustment: TDF Manually Measuring pH in the IDF Digestion
Note: Measure within the appropriate pH range for your specific testing method.
What is a MoistureStop Desiccant Pouch, how is it used, and why should I use it?
What is a MoistureStop Desiccant Pouch, how is it used, and why should I use it?
The MoistureStop Desiccant Pouch is a small, airtight zipper bag, utilized for desiccating all of the Filter Bags that are used with ANKOM instrumentation. A single pouch can hold a full run of F57, F58 or XT4 bags at one time. When folded, 6 IDF or SDF bags can also be placed into a MoistureStop Desiccant Pouch. Each time a bag has been removed from the desiccant pouch, the air can and should be pushed out. The "zipper" does not have to be used with every bag removal but some action should be taken to keep the air from entering the pouch while the just removed Filter Bag is being weighed. For example, air can be pushed out of the bag by laying it on a firm surface while compressing or flattening the air out of the pouch with your hand.
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 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.
However, 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 times, 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 will eliminate a build up of moisture on the remaining Filter Bags and allow for a more accurate and precise result. Every month it is possible to place the small desiccant packets into the oven at 100° - 105°C for a few hours to insure that the desiccant is renewed. In addition, to ensure the integrity of the zip lock bag, regular replacement should be considered.
How do I prepare bags for Kjeldahl & Ashing procedures?
How do I prepare bags for Kjeldahl & Ashing procedures?
In order to properly prepare the IDF & SDF bags for Kjeldahl and Ashing procedures, view the documents below or watch the following video: Kjeldahl & Ashing Bag Preparation.
What times and temperatures should I set on my Kjeldahl to determine the protein in the IDF/SDF filter bags?
What times and temperatures should I set on my Kjeldahl to determine the protein in the IDF/SDF filter bags?
How do I handle samples that are difficult to filter?
How do I handle samples that are difficult to filter?
Add filter time before the assay begins
At the beginning of a run a series of user prompts appear on screen, one of which states, “Filter Minutes OK? (for an IDF/SDF run) or “SDF Filter minutes OK?” for a TDF run. From this screen, you can add filter time if you are working with samples that require more filter time. Familiarity with a particular sample may dictate 10 minutes of IDF filter time, for example. Be aware that any time changes will be stored to memory and will be there for the next run. You will, however, be able to change this back to the default or another setting at the beginning of each run.
Add more filter time during the filtering process
During IDF or SDF filtration and during the water or alcohol rinses (when filtering is occurring) one can press the “Filter Time +” button to add one additional minute at a time, up to 50 additional minutes. The user will need to be present at the time of filtering to take advantage of this option.
Use a smaller sample size
Reduce the sample size to 0.1 g to minimize the filter clogging effect of gelatinous sample types. NOTE: Remember, the TDF values will be greatly influenced by variability in protein and ash values - of a small sample size.
Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE) in the IDF bags
Use of this technique helps increase filtering capacity. Pre-weigh 0.5-1 g of DE for each IDF bag. About 2 min before the end of AMG digestion, open Clamp Bar A by pressing "Clamp Bar A", add the DE quantitatively, and then close Clamp Bar A by pressing "Clamp Bar A" again. The DE will be mixed in during the end of the AMG digestion. Adding DE at this point, rather than at the beginning of the run, minimizes the risk of bag wear from abrasive DE in a hot/agitated bag. Be sure that the DE in the IDF bags is factored into your blank values. We recommend running a blank position when implementing this technique to account for DE loss from the IDF bag, if there are any.
What are the filtration specifications for the ANKOM TDF filtration process?
What are the filtration specifications for the ANKOM TDF filtration process?
How do I analyze liquid samples in the TDF Analyzer?
How do I analyze liquid samples in the TDF Analyzer?
- Weigh the pipette and tare the weight.
- Fill the pipette with a liquid sample.
- Place the pipette on the balance and record the weight.
- Pipette out the liquid into the IDF Bag.
- Weigh the pipette and subtract that weight from the weight with a sample. This supplies us with the actual sample weight that went into the bag.
What waste is produced by the TDF instrument?
What waste is produced by the TDF instrument?
How do I determine the protein (nitrogen) correction for dietary fiber analysis?
How do I determine the protein (nitrogen) correction for dietary fiber analysis?
AOAC methods 2009.01, 2011.25, 2017.16, and 2022.01 describe using either Kjeldahl or combustion methods for determining protein content of the residue. The selection is made by customer preference.
To prepare the ANKOM Filter Bags for analysis via Kjeldahl, refer to the TDF Operator’s Manual.
To prepare the ANKOM Filter Bags for analysis via combustion methods, cut open the Filter Bag and lightly scrape or brush the particles of sample residue and DE into a small mortar. Grind the mixture with the pestle until homogenous. Take several aliquots of the mixture and run them through your dumas. Use the average protein value of the aliquots for the TDF calculation.
Various manufacturer options are available for the nitrogen determination using combustion method. Contact your combustion/dumas manufacturer for further information regarding specific settings and recommendations regarding N2 determinations that involve DE.