Do I Need a Sample Concentrator?

Sample preparation for chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS or LC-MS) represents one of the most critical—and often most labor-intensive—steps in analytical workflows. Central to this process is the removal of excess solvents, which, if not thoroughly eliminated, can interfere with analyte detection, compromise column integrity, or introduce artifacts in mass spectra. Laboratories relying on manual solvent evaporation methods, such as passive air drying or handheld nitrogen blowdown, frequently encounter bottlenecks that delay analysis, reduce throughput, and strain personnel. This article evaluates the role of laboratory concentrators in streamlining solvent removal, with a focus on five key questions that determine whether upgrading to automated evaporation systems could transform your lab’s efficiency and operational satisfaction.

1. How Often Do You Need to Evaporate Samples?

The frequency of solvent evaporation in a lab directly correlates with its analytical workload and the nature of its research. For instance, environmental testing laboratories adhering to EPA methods often process batches of 24–48 samples daily to meet regulatory deadlines. In academic settings, seasonal demands—such as agricultural studies during growing cycles—can necessitate evaporating 250 samples per day. Even smaller pharmaceutical or forensic labs may require daily evaporation to prepare drug metabolites, environmental contaminants, or biomolecules for detection.

Chromatography-mass spectrometry workflows inherently demand rigorous solvent removal. Methanol, hexane, and dichloromethane, commonly used in extractions, must be fully evaporated to prevent column damage or ionization suppression in mass spectrometers. Labs analyzing heat-sensitive compounds, such as peptides or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), face additional challenges: excessive heat or prolonged evaporation times risk degrading analytes, while insufficient solvent removal obscures detection limits. This balancing act makes evaporation frequency not just a matter of throughput but also data quality.

2. How Many Samples Do You Evaporate Each Day?

Sample volume varies widely across industries, but high-throughput labs consistently report that manual evaporation methods become unsustainable beyond 10–20 samples per day. A public utility lab processing two daily batches of 24 samples (totaling 48) found rotary evaporators inadequate due to their single-sample capacity. Conversely, academic labs analyzing agricultural samples reported that nitrogen blowdown evaporators enabled processing 250 samples daily during peak seasons.

Microplate-based workflows further amplify these demands. A 96-well plate containing clinical or pharmacological extracts, for example, requires simultaneous evaporation to maintain consistency across samples. Traditional rotary evaporators cannot accommodate microplates, whereas specialized concentrators like Organomation’s MICROVAP support high-density formats, reducing batch processing time by 60–80%. For labs transitioning to high-content screening or large-scale metabolomic studies, scalability is non-negotiable.

3. How Much Time Do You Spend Evaporating Each Sample?

Manual nitrogen blowdown remains a common but inefficient method, often requiring technicians to hover over individual samples for hours. A 10 mL sample in a test tube, for instance, can take 2–4 hours to evaporate manually at ambient temperature. Even with vigilant positioning of the nitrogen stream, splashing or incomplete drying necessitates repeat attempts, extending preparation time and risking analyte loss.

Laboratory concentrators address these inefficiencies by integrating heat, optimized gas flow, and parallel processing. For example, combining a 40°C dry block with nitrogen blowdown reduces evaporation time for a 10 mL methanol sample to 20–30 minutes. The MULTIVAP system, which processes up to 100 samples simultaneously, cuts per-sample time to under 10 minutes by leveraging uniform heat distribution and adjustable gas manifolds. This acceleration is particularly vital for labs analyzing time-sensitive samples, such as forensic toxicology or perishable agricultural products.

4. How Many Lab Technicians Are Typically Involved in the Evaporation Process?

Manual evaporation is labor-intensive, often requiring one technician dedicated solely to monitoring samples. In labs with limited personnel, this creates bottlenecks: a single technician can only manage 10–20 samples per shift when using handheld nitrogen guns. Moreover, multi-step workflows—such as solvent exchanges or sequential extractions—demand constant attention to prevent over-drying or cross-contamination.

Automated concentrators liberate personnel for higher-value tasks. The University of Chicago’s Muir Laboratory, for instance, reduced hands-on time by 75% after adopting a MULTIVAP system for evaporating 40+ samples per batch. Features like timed gas flow allow technicians to load samples, initiate runs, and focus on other tasks without interruption. For labs operating multiple shifts, this autonomy ensures continuous processing without increasing staffing costs.

5. Have You Noticed Lab Technicians Becoming Frustrated or Bored with this Process?

Repetitive manual tasks, such as holding nitrogen tubing over samples, correlate strongly with decreased job satisfaction and increased error rates. Technicians in environmental and pharmaceutical labs report frustration with the monotony of evaporation work, particularly when handling hundreds of samples weekly. The physical strain of maintaining precise nitrogen stream positioning—coupled with anxiety over splashing or incomplete drying—exacerbates fatigue and disengagement.

Automated systems mitigate these issues by standardizing evaporation parameters. For example, Organomation’s nitrogen evaporators feature adjustable needle arrays that maintain consistent gas flow across all samples, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.

Conclusion: Evaluating the Case for a Laboratory Concentrator

Laboratory concentrators are not merely tools for solvent removal—they are catalysts for workflow transformation. For labs evaporating more than 20 samples daily, struggling with technician bandwidth, or prioritizing reproducibility in chromatography-mass spectrometry, these systems offer measurable benefits:

- Throughput: Parallel processing capabilities reduce per-sample time and enable batch handling of microplates or vial arrays.

- Data Quality: Precise temperature and gas flow control minimize analyte loss, even for heat-sensitive compounds.

- Operational Efficiency: Automation reclaims technician hours for data analysis or method development.

Labs hesitant to transition from rotary evaporators or manual methods should consider conducting a cost-benefit analysis: the cumulative time savings, error reduction, and staff satisfaction gains often justify the initial investment quickly. As chromatography-mass spectrometry advances toward lower detection limits and higher sample complexity, efficient solvent removal will remain a cornerstone of reliable analytics.

Watch our latest webinar to learn how nitrogen evaporators improve sample prep efficiency!