Maintenance and Upkeep of Vehicle-mounted Low-speed Refrigerated Centrifuge

　　Vehicle-mounted low-speed refrigerated centrifugesare specialized equipment for field or mobile sample separation,integrating low-speed centrifugation and refrigeration functions,and operating under the special conditions of vehicle vibration and unstable power supply. Scientific maintenance and upkeep are critical to ensuring sample separation accuracy,equipment stability,and service life. Below is a comprehensive maintenance and upkeep plan covering daily,periodic,and special scenario maintenance.

　　1.Daily Maintenance(Pre-use,In-use,Post-use)

Daily maintenance is the basic guarantee for each use of the equipment and needs to be completed by the operator before,during,and after operation.

-Pre-use inspection

1.Appearance and structural check:Inspect the outer casing,door cover,and rotor chamber of the centrifuge for cracks,deformation,or loose fasteners; confirm that the door lock and safety latch can be closed and locked tightly to prevent accidents during operation.

2.Power supply verification:For vehicle-mounted use,check the compatibility of the vehicle power supply(voltage should match the equipment’s rated voltage,generally 12V/24V DC or 220V AC with inverter)and the integrity of the power cord; ensure there is no damage to the wire insulation or loose plugs to avoid short circuits or power interruptions.

3.Refrigeration system pre-check:Power on the equipment and activate the refrigeration function in advance(pre-cool for 10–15 minutes),check whether the display temperature matches the set value(error should be≤±1℃),and confirm there is no abnormal noise(such as compressor knocking or fan whistling)during refrigeration operation.

4.Rotor and accessories check:Inspect the rotor for scratches,corrosion,or deformation; check the tightness of rotor fixing bolts and the wear of the rotor shaft. For sample tubes,verify that they are free of cracks and match the rotor’s size specification to prevent tube rupture during centrifugation.

-In-use monitoring

1.Operation status observation:During centrifugation,monitor the equipment’s speed stability(speed fluctuation should be≤±50r/min for low-speed models)and temperature consistency; pay attention to whether there is abnormal vibration or noise,especially when the vehicle is moving(reduce vehicle speed or park if excessive vibration occurs).

2.Load balance confirmation:Ensure the sample tubes placed in the rotor are symmetrically loaded and the weight difference between opposite tubes is≤0.5g; if an unbalanced load is found during operation,stop the equipment immediately to avoid damaging the rotor or drive system.

3.Power and environment monitoring:In vehicle-mounted scenarios,avoid sudden acceleration,braking,or bumpy road sections during operation; monitor the inverter(if used)for overheating,and cut off the power in time if an alarm occurs.

-Post-use finishing

1.Standard shutdown operation:After centrifugation is completed,wait for the rotor to stop completely before opening the door cover; do not force the rotor to stop manually. Turn off the refrigeration function first,then power off the equipment after the rotor chamber returns to room temperature(to prevent condensation from damaging internal components).

2.Cleaning and drying:Wipe the rotor chamber,rotor,and door cover with a clean,soft cloth soaked in 75%ethanol for disinfection and decontamination; for sample spills,clean them immediately to avoid corrosion of the rotor or chamber. Dry the rotor chamber thoroughly to prevent mold or electrical component short circuits caused by residual moisture.

3.Accessory storage:Remove the rotor and sample tube adapters,clean and dry them,and store them in a dedicated case in a dry,dust-free environment; do not place heavy objects on the rotor to avoid deformation.

4.Usage record:Log the operation parameters(speed,temperature,centrifugation time),sample type,and any abnormal phenomena during use in the equipment maintenance log for subsequent traceability.

　　2.Periodic Maintenance(Weekly,Monthly,Quarterly,Annual)

Periodic maintenance requires professional maintenance personnel to conduct in-depth inspections and maintenance,with clear cycle standards adapted to the equipment’s mobile use characteristics.

-Weekly maintenance

1.Filter cleaning:Disassemble the air inlet and outlet filters of the refrigeration system,remove dust and debris with a soft brush or dry air gun,and replace the filter if it is severely blocked or damaged(blocked filters will reduce refrigeration efficiency and cause compressor overheating).

2.Rotor deep cleaning:Soak the rotor and adapters in a neutral detergent solution(avoid corrosive reagents),scrub with a soft brush to remove stubborn stains,rinse with distilled water,and dry thoroughly before storage to prevent corrosion.

3.Sealing strip inspection:Check the door cover sealing strip for aging,cracking,or deformation; wipe the sealing strip with a silicone lubricant to maintain its elasticity and ensure the refrigeration chamber’s airtightness(a damaged sealing strip will lead to refrigeration failure and energy waste).

-Monthly maintenance

1.Speed and temperature calibration:Use a professional tachometer to verify the equipment’s actual speed against the set speed,and use a calibrated thermometer to check the temperature accuracy of the rotor chamber; adjust the control system parameters if deviations exceed the allowable range.

2.Lubrication of transmission parts:Apply a small amount of high-temperature resistant lubricating grease to the rotor shaft and bearing(use lubricants specified in the equipment manual to avoid oil contamination of samples),and check the bearing clearance; replace the bearing if there is excessive play or abnormal noise.

3.Power connection inspection:Check the power cord,inverter(if equipped),and battery connection terminals for oxidation or looseness; tighten the terminals and clean the oxide layer to ensure stable power transmission.

-Quarterly maintenance

1.Refrigeration system maintenance:Inspect the compressor’s refrigerant pipeline for leaks(use soap solution to check for bubble formation at joints); check the compressor’s working current and cooling fan operation,and clean the condenser coil to ensure heat dissipation efficiency.

2.Electrical system inspection:Open the equipment’s control panel,clean the dust on circuit boards and sensors with a dry air gun(avoid touching components with hands to prevent static damage); check for aging or damage to wires and replace them in a timely manner.

3.Safety device verification:Test the over-speed protection,over-temperature protection,and door cover interlock devices; simulate abnormal conditions(such as exceeding the rated speed or temperature)to confirm that the protection system can trigger an alarm and shut down the equipment automatically.

-Annual maintenance

1.Comprehensive performance testing:Conduct a full-performance test on the equipment,including maximum speed operation(continuous operation for 30 minutes),extreme temperature control(from 4℃to-20℃),and load-bearing stability; verify that all indicators meet the factory standards.

2.Component replacement:Replace the compressor lubricating oil(if applicable),the refrigeration system’s drying filter,and the aging sealing parts(such as rotor shaft seals and pipeline gaskets)to prevent oil leakage or refrigerant loss.

3.System calibration and firmware update:Use professional calibration tools to re-calibrate the speed and temperature sensors; update the equipment’s control system firmware(if there is an official update)to optimize operation performance and compatibility.

　　3.Special Scenario Maintenance(Vehicle-mounted Transportation,Long-term Shutdown,Post-fault)

-Maintenance during vehicle-mounted transportation

1.Fixed protection:Before transportation,lock the rotor and fix it with a dedicated bracket to prevent the rotor from shaking and damaging the shaft; secure the entire centrifuge to the vehicle cargo area with straps to avoid displacement due to vehicle vibration.

2.Environmental protection:Cover the equipment with a dustproof and moisture-proof cover during transportation; avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or rain,and do not place it near vehicle exhaust pipes or high-temperature components to prevent casing deformation or internal component damage.

3.Post-transportation inspection:After arriving at the destination,place the equipment on a flat and stable surface,check for loose components or pipeline damage,and run the equipment with an empty rotor for 5–10 minutes(without refrigeration)to confirm normal operation before formal use.

-Maintenance during long-term shutdown

1.Component treatment:If the equipment is not used for more than 1 month,remove the rotor and store it in a dry,low-humidity environment(relative humidity≤60%); fully discharge the refrigeration system’s condensate,and wipe the rotor chamber with a desiccant to prevent moisture accumulation.

2.Power and battery maintenance:Disconnect the power cord and inverter(if equipped); charge the vehicle battery regularly to avoid power failure during re-use. For equipment with built-in batteries,ensure the battery power is maintained at 50%–70%(avoid overcharging or full discharge).

3.Periodic activation:Power on the equipment every 2 weeks,run the refrigeration system for 30 minutes at room temperature,and operate the rotor at low speed(500r/min)for 5 minutes to prevent compressor oil accumulation and rotor shaft rust.

-Maintenance after fault

1.Fault recording and shutdown:When a fault occurs(such as refrigeration failure,speed abnormality,or alarm activation),immediately stop the equipment,record the fault code and specific phenomenon,and do not disassemble the equipment without authorization.

2.Targeted troubleshooting:Contact professional after-sales personnel for maintenance; for common faults(such as unbalanced load alarms or minor temperature deviations),follow the manual’s troubleshooting guide to eliminate simple problems(e.g.,re-balance samples or clean filters).

3.Post-repair verification:After repairing faulty components(such as replacing the compressor or sensor),conduct a full-performance test and multiple sample separation trials to confirm that the equipment’s accuracy and stability meet the requirements before putting it back into use.

　　4.Key Maintenance Notes

1.Special environment adaptation:In vehicle-mounted scenarios,avoid long-term operation on bumpy roads; use a voltage stabilizer or inverter with over-voltage and under-voltage protection to ensure stable power supply and prevent damage to the control system.

2.Material compatibility:Do not use corrosive cleaning agents(such as strong acids or alkalis)to clean the rotor or rotor chamber,and avoid placing samples with strong volatile or corrosive properties for a long time to prevent component corrosion.

3.Rotor safety management:Do not exceed the rotor’s maximum speed and service life(rotors have a fatigue life,generally 5–8 years or a specified number of uses); replace the rotor immediately if cracks or deformation are found to avoid explosion risks.

4.Personnel specification:Operators must be trained to master the equipment’s vehicle-mounted use specifications; complex maintenance(such as compressor replacement or system calibration)must be performed by certified professionals to prevent secondary damage.

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