Macherey-Nagel NANOCOLOR VARIO Mini Thermoblock, 6 positions, portable, 919380

Anyone who has to digest water samples not in the laboratory but directly on site at the watercourse, at the sewage treatment works or at the customer’s premises is familiar with the problem: without a mains power supply and fixed laboratory equipment, it is virtually impossible to carry out a COD or nitrogen digestion. The Macherey-Nagel NANOCOLOR VARIO Mini thermoblock solves exactly that problem. It can be powered via a 12-volt car socket and, with its compact dimensions of 170 x 105 x 125 mm, fits into any boot or fieldwork bag. As the smallest and most affordable model in the NANOCOLOR VARIO range, it is the ideal entry-level solution for anyone who needs to digest samples occasionally or whilst on the move, without having to invest in a large benchtop unit straight away.

Mobile operation without laboratory infrastructure

The 12 V, 5 A and 60 W power supply allows connection to a vehicle’s on-board electrical system. This makes the thermoblock a mobile companion for on-site sampling, for example at water bodies, sewage treatment works or construction sites, where no laboratory mains supply is available. Weighing 1,450 g (gross) and with its compact dimensions, the unit can be transported with minimal effort, stowed in a vehicle and set up and made ready for use within a few minutes.

Precise temperature control in accordance with standards, even on the move

Six boreholes with an external diameter of 16 mm accommodate the cuvette tests. Six fixed temperature settings (70 °C, 100 °C, 120 °C, 148 °C, 150 °C and 160 °C) cover the standard digestion procedures in accordance with DIN, EN, ISO and EPA methods, with a temperature stability of ±1 °C to ensure reproducible results. Even outside the laboratory, there is no need to compromise on accuracy; results obtained in the field are comparable to those from a stationary digestion process.

Simple operation and update capability

Menu navigation is via an illuminated graphical LCD display with 128 x 64 pixels and four buttons with icon-based navigation, which is intuitive to use even in field conditions whilst wearing gloves or in changing light conditions. Free software updates can be installed via the mini-USB OTG interface, either via a PC and the internet or directly via a USB stick. Internal quality control is possible using the optionally available T-Set adaptors (919917 or the USB version 919921). The removable protective cover is secured magnetically, whilst overheating protection ensures additional operational safety during mobile use.

Safe for field use

Despite being designed for mobile use, the VARIO Mini meets CE requirements and is rated for an ambient temperature range of 10 to 40 °C and a maximum relative humidity of 80 per cent (non-condensing). The integrated overheating protection and the magnetically secured protective cover ensure that the thermoblock can be operated safely even outside controlled laboratory conditions.

Position within the NANOCOLOR VARIO family

In addition to the Mini, the NANOCOLOR VARIO range from Macherey-Nagel comprises four further thermoblocks for different requirements: the single-block VARIO C2 with 12 positions for everyday laboratory use, the VARIO C2 M with additional 22-mm bores for larger digestion vessels, the VARIO 4 with two independently controllable blocks for high throughput, and the VARIO HC with active cooling for shorter cycle times. Those who regularly process larger sample batches in the laboratory are better served by one of these benchtop models; in terms of sheer sample capacity, the Mini, with its 6 positions, has been deliberately kept compact. The VARIO Mini remains the right choice when mobility, low weight and an affordable entry-level price are the key priorities.

Typical areas of application

The NANOCOLOR VARIO Mini really comes into its own wherever samples do not need to be transported to the laboratory first, but digestion must take place directly on site – for example, when a water supplier’s field team needs to check a limit value on site at the weekend and does not want to wait until Monday for the laboratory result:

• Mobile sampling and on-site digestion for field teams from water suppliers and environmental laboratories
• Water and wastewater monitoring away from fixed laboratory facilities
• Small laboratories and in-house laboratories with occasional, non-routine digestion requirements
• Supplementary equipment for laboratories that already own a larger benchtop unit and wish to be mobile as well
• Determination of COD, total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the field in accordance with DIN, EN, ISO and EPA methods

Technical details

Contents

• 1x NANOCOLOR VARIO Mini thermoblock
• 1x power cable
• 1x Fold-away protective cover
• 1x User manual
• 1x Certificate

Customised requirements & procurement service

Do you need suitable NANOCOLOR cuvette tests, a T-Set for internal quality control or accessories for other thermoblock models? Our procurement service will be happy to help you choose the right products.