Breather Clean

Breather Clean

If the breather path becomes slightly or totally blocked with sample, it will affect the viscosity measurements.

Sample will be visible in the breather path as well as the breather (overfill) bottle. To carry out a breather clean, the Vacuum supply from the corresponding waste bottle is moved to the spare port on the breather bottle. For measuring position 1 move the vacuum line from waste bottle 1 to breather bottle 1.

To unblock:

Step 1 – carry out a user activated clean to ensure that the viscometer is empty.

Step 2 – attach the vacuum supply (from the waste position).

Example of an aborted test – Click ad hoc clean to remove and clean any sample from the viscometer.

Waste port

VAC valve Breather Port

Move the vacuum supply from the waste bottle to the breather bottle

VAC Supply

Breather bottle

Step 3 – Using Engineer mode – energise: OPEN the AIR valve, then open the S1 valve for 2 seconds – watch to ensure solvent goes through the viscometer and out via the breather tube. Repeat several times.

Energise the AIR valve and Solvent 1 for 2s. Repeat several times.

Likewise, repeat using S2.

Step 4 - Repeat step 3 using S2. Step 5 – With the AIR valve OPEN and Solvent valves CLOSED allow air to be sucked through for 10 minutes to ensure the breather path is completely dry.

On Completion of the breather clean:

Step 6 – visibly inspect the breather tube to make sure it is clear of sample or solvent – all liquid must be removed.

Step 7 – disconnect the vacuum from the breather bottle and re-connect to the waste bottle. Step 8 – carry out a final normal clean of the viscometer – using a user activated clean.

User Activated Clean