Cleaning Recommendations for Alcolyzer M/ME

Relevant for: Alcolyzer users

An immaculately clean measuring cell is the pre-condition for correct and highly accurate
results. Thus, thorough and regular cleaning of the Alcolyzer M measuring cell or, respectively,
the measuring cells of systems with Alcolyzer ME is essential. Possible deposits and dirt need
to be removed regularly with appropriate cleaning agents.

 Use ultra-pure water for cleaning the measuring

cell after having measured samples such as
beer, beer mixtures, alcopops or wine.
 Some spirits with high alcohol content (e.g.
Ouzo) may develop deposits when cleaning the
measuring cell with water alone. These deposits
are poorly water soluble, they are much better
soluble in a solution containing 40 % of ethanol.
Therefore, after having measured spirits, clean
with a mixture of water and approx. 40 % of
ethanol.
After cleaning, leave the ultra-pure water or the 40 %
ethanol/water mixture, respectively, in the cell until the
1 When, how and how often should a next measurement.
measuring cell be cleaned?
Tip: If the cell is filled with water, rinse the cell with an
approx. 10 % ethanol/water solution (e.g. adjustment
1.1 Cleaning immediately after measuring
solution) before starting a new measurement to
decrease the surface tension. This avoids the
If sample residues remain in the cell after a
formation of air bubbles in the measuring cell.
measurement, deposits (Figure 1) may develop which
are hard to remove. Therefore, the most important
recommendation for simple and efficient cleaning is: 1.2 Cleaning at the end of a measuring day
Clean at once after each measurement unless the
Always clean the measuring cell of Alcolyzer M/ME at
next measurement is performed immediately
the end of the measuring day with a customary
afterwards!
laboratory cleaner such as Mucasol®, Alconox®,
Extran or RBS 50. Make sure to adhere to the product
information concerning the cleaning agent's
concentration and impact period.
Strong alkaline laboratory cleaners (pH above 10.5)
should only be applied for a maximum of 10 minutes
at temperatures below 25 °C, because these cleaners
corrode the glass surfaces of the measuring cell when
applied for longer periods of time.
Do not use cleaners with abrasives.

1.3 Samples requiring special cleaning

procedures

When samples such as beer or wort were measured,

use laboratory cleaners with enzymes to remove
protein deposits for cleaning the cell. Suitable
Figure 1: Contaminated measuring cell of Alcolyzer M/ME
laboratory cleaners are e.g. Mucasol®, Alconox®,

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Tergazyme®, Extran and RBS 50 concentrate in a 2 Other possible influencing factors
concentration according to the product information
Not only contaminations in the measuring cell, but
given by the manufacturer, e.g. Mucasol® shall be
also air bubbles can cause erroneous results and poor
used as a 3 % solution, Alconox® and Tergazyme®
repeatability, compare Figure 2. Check the adapters
as a 1 % solution.
and hoses for tightness. Rinse the cells with an
Notice: After having cleaned the cell with alkaline approx. 10 % ethanol/water solution and, if required,
laboratory cleaners, rinse with at least 150 mL of ultra- perform a new adjustment.
pure water.

Leave the ultra-pure water in the measuring cell until

the next measurement.

Tip: If the cell is filled with water, rinse the cell with an
approx. 10 % ethanol/water solution (e.g. adjustment
solution) before starting a new measurement to
decrease the surface tension. This avoids the
formation of air bubbles in the measuring cell.

1.4 Weekly cleaning

Clean the measuring cell of Alcolyzer M/ME once a

week (preferably before the weekend) with a cleaner
containing NaOCl (chlorine bleach) and NaOH
Figure 2: Air bubbles in the Alcolyzer M/ME measuring cell
(sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide).
For weekly cleaning, prepare an aqueous solution of 3 Alcolyzer M/ME and additional modules
0.5 % NaOCl and 0.5 % NaOH (or KOH).
3.1 Combination with a pH ME measuring
Alternatively, also commercially available cleaning module
solutions may be used. Suitable cleaners containing For the simultaneous determination of alcohol and pH,
NaOCl and NaOH (or KOH) are e.g.: Alcolyzer M is combined with a pH ME measuring
module (Figure 3).
• "Winepress Cleaner PM Membrane Presses", Cat.
No. 409004, from Wigol®
(http://www.wigol.de/en/product-finder-index).
• "TM Desana" from Thonhauser
(http://www.thonhauser.net/en/products/dispensin
g-hygiene/tm-desana/), 3 % solution

Notice: Leave the cleaner in the measuring cell of

Alcolyzer M/ME for 10 minutes at the most.

In case the above mentioned products are not

available, choose similar ones and dilute to a
concentration that does not exceed the above
mentioned hypochlorite and hydroxide values.

Notice: After cleaning, rinse with at least 150 mL

ultra-pure water.

Leave the ultra-pure water in the measuring cell until

the next measurement.

Tip: If the cell is filled with water, rinse the cell with an
approx. 10 % ethanol/water solution (e.g. adjustment
solution) before starting a new measurement to
decrease the surface tension. This avoids the
formation of air bubbles in the measuring cell. Figure 3: The pH ME measuring module

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Never expose the pH electrode to distilled water or After a series of measurements, clean the system with
alcohol for a longer period of time as this reduces the ultra-pure (bi-distilled or deionized) water to avoid
electrode's durability. sample residues in the measuring cells.
Do not apply alkaline laboratory cleaners to the pH At the end of the day, clean the measuring cells with a
electrode. Before using such cleaners make sure that laboratory cleaner. Suitable laboratory cleaners are,
the sample hose to the inlet of the pH flow cell is e.g., Mucasol®, Alconox®, Tergazyme®, Extran, and
disconnected and leads into a waste container. RBS 50 concentrate. Adhere to the product
information concerning the cleaning agent’s
Store the pH electrode in a storage solution (3 M KCl)
concentration. E.g., Mucasol® shall be used as a 3 %
between measurement series. Make sure that the pH
solution, Alconox® or Tergazyme® as a 1 % solution.
electrode does not dry out.
After a soaking time of 10 minutes at the most, rinse
3.2 Combination with a CarboQC ME beverage the system with ultra-pure (bi-distilled or deionized)
carbonation module water to avoid cleaning agent residues in the
measuring cells. The water can stay in the measuring
The CarboQC ME measuring module, connected to
cells until the next measurements.
Alcolyzer M, is cleaned by applying the same cleaning
routines as are applied to Alcolyzer M. If no Option O2/Plus is connected, clean the
measuring cells once a week with a cleaner
3.3 Combination with a CarboQC ME beverage containing NaOCl (chlorine bleach) and NaOH
carbonation module and Option O2/Plus (sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide).
Adhere to the product information concerning the
For this combination do not use any alcoholic solution cleaning agent’s concentration. The total NaOH (or
above 60 % as these high alcohol concentrations will KOH) and NaOCl concentration shall not exceed 1 %
harm the oxygen sensitive layer. in the applied dilution.
Do not use any cleaning agents that contain chlorine
or hypochlorite when handling the oxygen (O2) Notice: If a pH ME measuring module is used,
module as the oxygen sensitive layer is very sensitive disconnect the module from the system before starting
towards dissolved chlorine gas. Even small amounts the cleaning procedure.
of dissolved chlorine as present in chlorinated tap If an O2 module (CarboQC ME with Option O2 or
water or process water may cause a deterioration of CboxQC) is connected, disconnect it before cleaning
the oxygen sensitive layer over several weeks. the system with concentrated ethanol or cleaners that
contain chlorine bleach.
3.4 Alcolyzer M/ME as part of a PBA-B system
Do not let the cleaner soak in for more than 10
A complete PBA-B system, a combination of DMA M, minutes!
Alcolyzer ME, CarboQC ME with Option O2, and PFD
Piercing and Filling Device is shown in Figure 4. 4 Cleaning the instrument housing

To clean an instrument’s housing or the touch screen,

use a soft tissue that can be wetted with ethanol or
warm water, if necessary with some mild cleaning
agent added (pH < 10).

Notice: For cleaning an instrument’s housing, never

use highly nonpolar solvents (e.g. toluene, hexane, or
solvent naphtha), strong acids or bases (e.g. nitric
acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda) or
strong mechanical action (e.g. a steel brush).

Contact Anton Paar GmbH

Tel: +43 316 257-0
[email protected]
Figure 4: PBA-B
www.anton-paar.com

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