www.harricksci.

com

THE PRAYING MANTIS™

USER’S MANUAL

HARRICK SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

88 Broadway • Ossining, NY 10562 • (800) 248-3847 • FAX (914) 762-0914
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Information
Unpacking .................................................................................................................................... 1
Technical Support ........................................................................................................................ 1
Feedback ..................................................................................................................................... 1

About the Praying Mantis™ ........................................................................... 2

Installation and Alignment

Open Beam Spectrum ................................................................................................................. 3
Getting Ready .............................................................................................................................. 3
Purge Installation ......................................................................................................................... 4
Installing the Praying Mantis™ .................................................................................................... 5
Aligning the Praying Mantis™ ..................................................................................................... 6
Verifying the Throughput ............................................................................................................. 8
Specular Reflectance .................................................................................................................. 8

Operation
Background Spectrum ................................................................................................................. 9
Sample Spectrum ........................................................................................................................ 9

Ambient Chamber ........................................................................................... 10

HVC
About the High Temperature Reaction Chamber ........................................................................ 12
Getting Ready .............................................................................................................................. 13
Window Installation ...................................................................................................................... 14
Dome Installation ......................................................................................................................... 15
Installing the HVC ........................................................................................................................ 16
Fluid/Electrical Connections ........................................................................................................ 17
Collecting the Background Spectrum .......................................................................................... 18
Sample Spectrum ........................................................................................................................ 19

CHC
About the Low Temperature Reaction Chamber ........................................................... 20
Getting Ready .............................................................................................................................. 21
Window Installation ...................................................................................................................... 22
Dome Installation ......................................................................................................................... 23
Installing the CHC ........................................................................................................................ 24
Fluid/Electrical Connections ........................................................................................................ 25
Collecting the Background Spectrum .......................................................................................... 26
Sample Spectrum ........................................................................................................................ 27

DRP-M-03
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Reaction Chamber Maintenance

Leak Checking ............................................................................................................................. 28
Cleaning the Reaction Chambers ............................................................................................... 28
Replacing the O-rings .................................................................................................................. 29
Replacing the Heater ................................................................................................................... 29
Replacing the Thermocouple ...................................................................................................... 30

Appendix A
Mounting the Harrick Rail Plate ................................................................................................... 31

Appendix B
Optional and Replacement Parts ................................................................................................ 33
 GENERAL INFORMATION

UNPACKING Before installing the Praying Mantis™ Diffuse Reflection

Accessory make sure all the parts on the included check-off
list are present. If any parts are missing or damaged,
contact Harrick Scientific immediately.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT For additional information please contact our

Technical Support Center at 800-248-3847 between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. EST; or e-mail your questions to:
techsupport@harricksci.com

FEEDBACK Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please

send them to:
Harrick Scientific Corporation
Box1288/ 88 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562
Phone: 800-248-3847; Fax: 914-762-0914
E-mail: info@harricksci.com
Web: www.harricksci.com

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 ABOUT THE PRAYING MANTIS™

The Praying Mantis™ (DRP) accessory is specifically designed for examining powders by diffuse
reflection spectroscopy. The optical design of the Praying Mantis™ incorporates two 6X, 90° off-
axis ellipsoid mirrors. The ellipsoids are optically arranged so that their near focal points coincide
and they are arranged to discriminate against the collection of specularly reflected radiation. This
is achieved by placing the collecting ellipsoid 60° away from the direction of the specularly
reflected radiation. The sample is placed in the common focal point of the two ellipsoid mirrors.
The beam is condensed to a spot less than 2mm in diameter. This allows analysis of very small
quantities of sample. A purge fitting and two purge seals are provided if purging is desired.

The sample is loaded in to a sample cup. Two cups are included, regular and micro-sampling
cups. The sample is typically diluted in a non-absorbing powder. The same non-absorbing
powder is used to collect the background spectrum. An optional ambient chamber allows the
sample to be loaded in a controlled atmosphere (glove box) and then analyzed without being
exposed to room atmosphere.

Two reaction chambers are available for use with Praying Mantis™, the high temperature
chamber HVC and the low temperature chamber CHC. The reaction chambers enable a reaction
gas to be introduced and reacted with the sample so that the reaction can be studied in vivo,
reaction rates determined and intermediates and reaction products identified. The reaction
chambers are enclosed with a dome with three windows, two for the spectrometer radiation to
enter and exit the chamber and the third for viewing, illuminating, or irradiating the sample. This
enables the use of the reaction chambers for photochemical studies. The standard material for
the viewing window is UV quartz and the other two windows are KBr.

2 of 34
 INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT

OPEN BEAM SPECTRUM Prior to installation:

• Make sure all sample holders are removed from
the sample compartment.
• Prior to installation collect an open beam
background spectrum (no accessory in the
sample compartment). This spectrum should be
used later to verify the throughput of the Praying
Mantis™.

GETTING READY Before installing the Praying Mantis™, familiarize yourself

with the accessory and its various components by
referring to the drawing of the Praying Mantis™ found
below (Figure 1).

M5 Cap Purge Line Fitting

Window
M2 Cap

Thumbscrew

Purge Sleeve
Thumbscrew (2)

Foam Purge Seal

Purge Door

Locking
Mechanism
Knob Rail Plate

Micrometer
Sample Stage Mounting Screw

Figure 1 • Front View of the Praying Mantis™

`

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 INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT

PURGE INSTALLATION

PURGE SLEEVES Loosen the thumbscrews and push the purge sleeves in
to retract them (Figure 2).

Thumbscrew

Purge Collar

Foam Purge Seal

Figure 2 • Purge Sleeves

PURGE LINE For quicker purging or if the spectrometer has windows

on the beam ports, connect an additional purge line to the
fitting on the Praying Mantis as illustrated in Figure 3.

Purge Fitting

Figure 3 • Purge Line

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 INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT

INSTALLING THE PRAYING

MANTIS™

RAIL MOUNTING If your spectrometer is equipped with rails:

• Install the Praying Mantis™ onto the rails.

NOTE: If you received the Harrick rail plate with your Praying
Mantis, first mount the supplied rails directly onto the floor
of the sample compartment (see Appendix A).

• Move the Praying Mantis along the rails until the

spectrometer focal point is in the center of the
attachment.
• Lock the Praying Mantis in place by tightening
the locking mechanism knob.
• Extend the purge sleeves until they firmly contact
the sides of the sample compartment.
• Lock the purge sleeves in place with the
thumbscrews.

FIXED FLOOR MOUNTING • Install the Praying Mantis™ onto the floor of the
sample compartment using the base plate
provided.
• Extend the purge sleeves to the walls of the
spectrometer and tighten the thumbscrews on the
purge collars.

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 INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT

ALIGNING THE The Praying Mantis™ has been pre-aligned prior to

PRAYING MANTIS™ shipment. Hence it requires only minor adjustments to
optimize its performance.
• Open the door on the front of the attachment
(Figure 1).
• Slide the alignment fixture (Figure 4) into the
Praying Mantis™, with the horizontal mirror
going in first. In this orientation, the tilted mirror
is in the sampling position.
• Gently push the alignment fixture in against the
stop.

Tilted Mirror

Horizontal Mirror

Figure 4 • Alignment Fixture

• Remove the plastic caps over mirrors M2 and

M5. This allows access to the turn and tilt
adjustments for these mirrors (Figure 5).
• Set the spectrometer to measure the “energy”
on the detector.
• Adjust the turn and tilt controls for M5 with the
supplied 3/32” hex driver until the signal on the
detector is maximized.
• Adjust the height of the alignment fixture with
the height adjustment micrometer to maximize
the signal.
• Adjust the turn and tilt controls for M2. Repeat
this sequence until there is no further increase
in the signal on the detector.

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 INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT

M3
M4

M6
M1

M5

M2

Figure 5 • Interior View of the Praying Mantis™

If using rail mounting:

• Loosen the thumbscrews on the purge sleeves.
• Unlock the locking mechanism.
• Slide the Praying Mantis™ along the rails until
the signal is maximized.
• Lock the locking mechanism, extend the purge
sleeves to the walls of the spectrometer and
tighten the thumbscrews on the purge collars.

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 INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT

VERIFYING THE • Make sure that the specified background

THROUGHPUT spectrum is the previously collected open beam
background spectrum.
• Collect a transmittance spectrum with the Praying
Mantis™ in the sample compartment.

NOTE: To maximize the performance of your accessory, it

should be tested before first use and at regular intervals
thereafter.

90
80

70
Transmittance [%]

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber cm-1

Figure 6 • Praying Mantis™ Throughput

• Read the maximum value at 2500 cm-1.

• The Praying Mantis™ throughput at that
wavenumber should be at least 40% and the
spectrum should resemble the Praying Mantis™
throughput spectrum shown above.

SPECULAR REFLECTANCE • Slide the alignment fixture (Figure 4) into the

Praying Mantis™, with the tilted mirror going in
first. In this orientation, the horizontal mirror is
in the sampling position.
• Gently push the alignment fixture in against the
stop.
• The detector now measures the specular
reflectance from the mirror. The energy should
be near-zero. If it is not less than 10% of the
throughput measured earlier, realign with the
tilted mirror or contact Harrick Scientific.

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 OPERATION

BACKGROUND SPECTRUM • Overfill one of the sampling cups (Figure 7) with

the reference material (i.e. KBr). Use the
provided sample funnel to fill the microsampling
cup.
• Level off the surface using a flat blade.
• Open the purge door and slide the sample holder
(with the sampling cup going in first) into the
Praying Mantis™, pushing it in against the stop.
• Close the purge door.
• Make small adjustments to the height of the
sample using the micrometer to maximize the
signal on the detector.
• Record the background spectrum.

Microsampling Cup Standard Sampling Cup

Figure 7 • Sampling Cups

SAMPLE SPECTRUM • Replace the reference material with the sample.

• Record the sample spectrum.

NOTE: If the sample is a strong absorber it may need to be

diluted (approximately 5%) in a nonabsorbent matrix.

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 AMBIENT CHAMBER

USING THE OPTIONAL • Before using the ambient chamber, verify that the
AMBIENT SAMPLE windows, o-ring and groove on the bottom of the
dome are clean and free of dust (see page 17).
CHAMBER
• Put the ambient chamber in a glove box or similar
enclosed environment.
• Unscrew the two thumbscrews to remove the
dome.
• Carefully fill the sample cup with the reference.
Clean up any spills.
• Install the dome making sure that the larger
orientation slot on the dome engages the
orientation pin on the ambient chamber.

Dome

Sample Cup

Orientation Slot

Thumbscrew (2)

Orientation Pin Ambient Chamber

Figure 8 • The Ambient Chamber

• Remove the sealed ambient chamber from the

glove box.
• Open the purge door and slide the ambient
chamber into the Praying Mantis™, orienting it so
that the two notches on the bottom of the ambient
chamber go in first.
• Close the purge door.

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 AMBIENT CHAMBER

• Make small adjustments to the height of the

sample using the micrometer to maximize the
signal on the detector.
• Record the background spectrum.
• Replace the reference material with the sample.
• Record the sample spectrum.

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 HVC

ABOUT THE HIGH TEMPERATURE REACTION CHAMBER (HVC)

The HVC is designed for operation up to 600°C under vacuum (the lifetime of the heater is
significantly reduced at temperatures above 450°C). The pressure range is from high vacuum to
pressures up to 500 psi (the high pressure dome is required for pressures above 20 psi). At
higher pressures, the maximum operating temperature may be lower.

HVC is made of chemically resistant 316 stainless steel. Within the chamber is a temperature-
controlled sample stage with integral sample cup. This stage incorporates a cartridge heater and
a thermocouple. It is thermally isolated from the outer chamber wall. A water-cooling jacket
controls the temperature of the outer surface of the chamber and windows during high or low
temperature operation. The reaction chamber has three gas ports for evacuating, pressurizing or
flowing gas through the sample. These ports are equipped with 1/4” VCO fittings. The vacuum
port leads directly under the sample cup; the two gas ports lead into the sides of the chamber.

The chamber is enclosed with a dome with three windows, two for the spectrometer radiation to
enter and exit the chamber and the third for viewing, illuminating, or irradiating the sample. This
enables the use of the reaction chambers for photochemical studies. The standard material for
the observation window is UV quartz and KBr for the other two windows.

CAUTION:
Parts for the high pressure and low pressure domes should not be exchanged. The high
pressure domes undergo high pressure testing and are guaranteed to work under the rated
pressure.

12 of 34
 HVC

GETTING READY Before installing the High Temperature Reaction Chamber

(HVC) familiarize yourself with it by referring to the
drawing of the HVC found below (Figure 9).

HVC Dome

Coolant Port (2)

Thermocouple
Connector Mounting pins (2)

Gas Port (2)

Heater
Connector

Vacuum Port Heater Access Hole

Figure 9 • The High Temperature Reaction Chamber HVC

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 HVC

WINDOW INSTALLATION If the windows are not already installed or need to be

cleaned or changed follow the steps below (Figure 10).

NOTE: The observation window is the window that is located

between the two semicircular indentations on the rim of
the dome.
• Insert an o-ring in one of the window ports.
• Hold the retaining ring upside-down and
place a PTFE washer inside.
• Then carefully place a window on top of the
PTFE washer.
• Hold the retaining ring so that it continues to
retain the window and thread it into the
window port.
• Tighten to secure the window in place using
the tool provided for tightening and loosening
the retaining rings.
• Repeat these steps until all three windows
are installed.

NOTE: Be careful not to touch the windows during installation.

Retaining Ring

Window

Dome

PTFE Washer

O-Ring

Semicircular Indentation (2)

Figure 10 • Installing the HVC Dome Windows

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 HVC

DOME INSTALLATION Although it is not necessary to install the dome until later,
it is recommended to become familiar with the procedure
before proceeding to the next step.
• Prior to installation of the dome make sure that
the o-ring and groove on the bottom of the dome
are clean and free of dust.
• Retract the retaining plates on the HVC as far as
possible.
• Install the dome making sure that the orientation
slot on the dome engages the orientation pin on
the HVC (Figure 11).
• Slide the retaining plates all the way over the rim
of the dome.
• Tighten the retaining plate screws to secure the
dome.

Orientation slot

Retaining Plate Screws (4)

Orientation pin

Retaining Plate (2)

Figure 11 • Installing the HVC Dome

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 HVC

INSTALLING THE HVC Before installing the HVC in the Praying Mantis™, make
sure that the Praying Mantis™ is aligned in the
spectrometer.
• Unscrew the thumbscrew on the top plate of the
Praying Mantis™ (Figure 1).
• Carefully swing the top plate of the Praying
Mantis™ out of the way.
• Grasp the sample stage (Figure 12) and unscrew
its mounting screw.
• Slide the sample stage slightly to the left to
dislocate its mounting pins.
• Remove the sample stage.
• Locate the mounting pins on the side of the HVC
(Figure 9) in the pin holes where the sample
stage was located.
• Reinstall and tighten the sample stage mounting
screw.

Mounting Screw

Sample stage Mounting Pins (2)

Figure 12 • Installing the HVC

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 HVC

Thermocouple

Heater

Coolant Port (2)

Vacuum Port Gas Port (2)

Figure 13 • The HVC Installed

FLUID / ELECTRICAL • If temperature control is desired, connect the

CONNECTIONS thermocouple and the heater (Figure 13) to a
suitable temperature controller.
• If the HVC is to be operated at temperatures
above 100°C, use 1/4” tubing to connect the
water cooling ports (see Figure 13) to a water
inlet/outlet or a water circulating bath.
• If vacuum is desired connect the vacuum port
(1/4” VCO fitting, see Figure 13) to a vacuum
pump or other source of vacuum using 3/8” I.D.
vacuum tubing.
• If the reaction of process gas/es with the sample
is to be studied connect the gas port/s (1/4” VCO
fittings, see Figure 13) to a gas source/s.

17 of 34
 HVC

COLLECTING THE • Place a sample screen into the sample cup and
BACKGROUND SPECTRUM locate the plastic overflow tray over the sample
cup (Figure 14).
• Fill the sample cup with the reference material
using the provided packing tool. Draw the
straightedge across the top of the cup to level off
the surface.
• Carefully remove the overflow tray.
• Install the dome on the HVC (see page 18).
• Swing the Praying Mantis™ cover back into place
and tighten the thumbscrew.
• Set the temperature and pressure to desired
operating conditions.
• Set the spectrometer to measure the “energy” on
the detector.
• Adjust the micrometer (Figure 1) to maximize the
signal on the detector.
• Collect the background spectrum.

Sample Cup
Overflow Tray

Figure 14 • Filling the Cup

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 HVC

SAMPLE SPECTRUM • Restore the reference material to ambient

conditions.
• Remove the dome.
• Empty the sample cup. This can be done by
vacuuming out the reference sample or by
removing the HVC from the Praying Mantis™ and
dumping out the material.
• If needed, clean the sample cup.
• Fill the sample cup with the sample (follow
procedure in the alignment section).
• Install the dome.
• Install the HVC into the Praying Mantis™ if it was
removed to empty the sample cup.
• Swing the top plate back into place and tighten
the thumbscrew (Figure 1).
• Restore the desired sampling conditions.
• Collect the sample spectrum.
• Empty the sample cup and clean it before
running the next sample.

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 CHC

ABOUT THE LOW TEMPERATURE REACTION CHAMBER (CHC)

The CHC is designed for operation from -150°C up to 600°C under vacuum. The pressure range
is from high vacuum to pressures up to 50 psi (for pressures above 20 psi use either the high
pressure dome or replace the KBr windows with ZnSe windows). At higher pressures, the
maximum operating temperature may be lower.

The CHC is made of chemically resistant 316 stainless steel. Within the chamber is a
temperature-controlled sample stage with an integral sample cup. This stage incorporates a
cartridge heater and two thermocouples, one in the sampling stage and one in the sample cup.
The sample stage is thermally isolated from the outer chamber wall. A water-cooling jacket
controls the temperature of the outer surface of the chamber and windows during high or low
temperature operation. The chamber has three gas ports for evacuating, pressurizing or flowing
gas through the sample. These ports are equipped with 1/4” VCO fittings. One of the ports leads
directly under the sample cup, the other two lead into the sides of the chamber.

The chamber is enclosed with a dome with three windows, two for the spectrometer radiation to
enter and exit the chamber and the third for viewing, illuminating, or irradiating the sample. This
enables the use of the reaction chambers for photochemical studies. The standard material for
the observation window is UV quartz and KBr for the other two windows.

CAUTION:
Parts for the high pressure and low pressure domes should not be exchanged.
The high pressure domes undergo high pressure testing and are guaranteed
to work under the rated pressure.

20 of 34
 CHC

GETTING READY Before installing the Low Temperature Reaction Chamber

(CHC) familiarize yourself with it by referring to the
drawing of the CHC found below (Figure 15).

Dewar

Elevation Adjustment Micrometer

CHC Dome

Sample Thermocouple
Heater Access Hole
Heater Thermocouple
Connector

Vacuum Port

Gas Port (2)

Heater
Connector Thumbscrew Hole Coolant Port (2)

Figure 15 • The Low Temperature Reaction Chamber CHC

21 of 34
 CHC

WINDOW INSTALLATION If the windows are not already installed or need to be

cleaned or changed follow the steps below (Figure 16).

NOTE: The observation window is the window that is located

between the two semicircular indentations on the rim of
the dome.
• Insert an o-ring in one of the window ports.
• Hold the retaining ring upside-down and
place a PTFE washer inside.
• Then carefully place a window on top of the
PTFE washer.
• Hold the retaining ring so that it continues to
retain the window and thread it into the
window port.
• Tighten to secure the window in place using
the tool provided for tightening and loosening
the retaining rings.
• Repeat these steps until all three windows
are installed.

NOTE: Be careful not to touch the windows during installation.

Retaining Ring

Window

Dome

PTFE Washer

O-Ring

Semicircular Indentation (2)

Figure 16 • Installing the CHC Dome Windows

22 of 34
 CHC

DOME INSTALLATION Although it is not necessary to install the dome until later,
it is recommended to become familiar with the procedure
before proceeding to the next step.
• Prior to installation of the dome make sure that
the o-ring and groove on the bottom of the dome
are clean and free of dust.
• Retract the retaining plates on the CHC as far as
possible.
• Install the dome making sure that the orientation
slot on the dome engages the orientation pin on
the CHC (Figure 17).
• Slide the retaining plates all the way over the rim
of the dome.
• Tighten the retaining plate screws to secure the
dome.

Orientation slot

Retaining
Orientation pin Plate (2)

Retaining Plate Screw (4)

Figure 17 • Installing the CHC Dome

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 CHC

INSTALLING THE CHC Before installing the CHC in the Praying Mantis™, the
Praying Mantis™ should have been aligned in the
spectrometer.
• Unscrew the thumbscrew on the top plate of the
Praying Mantis™ (Figure 1).
• Carefully swing the top plate of the Praying
Mantis™ out of the way.
• Grasp the sample stage (Figure 12) and unscrew
its mounting screw.
• Slide the sample stage slightly to the left to
dislocate its mounting pins.
• Remove the sample stage.
• Slide the CHC mounting plate (Figure 18) under
the Praying Mantis™ body locating the CHC
mounting plate pin in the hole in the bottom of the
Praying Mantis™.
• Use the two pan head screws provided to secure
the mounting plate in place.
• Mount the CHC by guiding the locating pin which
is directly under the CHC body into the locating
hole in the DRP base.
• Fasten the thumbscrew (Figure 19) to secure the
CHC to the CHC mounting plate.

CHC Mounting Plate

Hole for CHC Mounting Plate Pin

Pan Head Screws (2)

Thumbscrew
Hole

CHC Locating Pin Hole

Praying Mantis

Figure 18 • Installing the CHC Mounting Plate (Top View)

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 CHC

Dewar

Sample Thermocouple
Heater Thermocouple

Heater

CHC Mounting Plate Vacuum Port

Gas Port (2)

Thumbscrew

Figure 19 • The CHC installed

FLUID / ELECTRICAL • If temperature control is desired, connect the

CONNECTIONS thermocouples and the heater (Figure 19) to a
suitable temperature controller.
• If the HVC is to be operated at temperatures
above 100°C or below 0°C, use 1/4” tubing to
connect the water cooling ports (see Figure 19)
to a water inlet/outlet or a water circulating bath.
• If vacuum is desired connect the vacuum port
(1/4” VCO fitting, see Figure 19) to a vacuum
pump (optional) or other source of vacuum using
3/8” I.D. vacuum tubing.
• If the reaction of process gas/es with the sample
is to be studied connect the gas port/s (1/4” VCO
fittings, see Figure 19) to a gas source/s.

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 CHC

COLLECTING THE • Place a sample screen into the sample cup and
BACKGROUND SPECTRUM locate the plastic overflow tray over the sample
cup (Figure 20).
• Fill the sample cup with the reference material
using the provided packing tool. Draw the
straightedge across the top of the cup to level off
the surface.
• Carefully remove the overflow tray.
• Install the dome.
• Swing the Praying Mantis™ cover back into place
and tighten the thumbscrew (Figure 1).
• Fill the Dewar with liquid nitrogen or other
coolant.
• Set the temperature and pressure to desired
operating conditions.
• Set the spectrometer to measure the “energy” on
the detector.
• Adjust the elevation adjustment micrometer on
the CHC (Figure 15) to maximize the signal on
the detector.
• Collect the background spectrum.

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 CHC

Overflow Tray Sample Cup

Figure 20 • Filling the Cup

SAMPLE SPECTRUM • Restore the reference material to ambient

conditions.
• Remove the dome.
• Empty the sample cup. This can be done by
vacuuming out the reference sample or by
removing the CHC from the Praying Mantis™
and dumping out the material.
• If needed clean the sample cup.
• Fill the sample cup with the sample (follow
procedure in the alignment section).
• Install the dome (see page 26).
• Install the CHC into the Praying Mantis™ if it was
removed to empty the sample cup.
• Swing the top plate back into place and tighten
the thumbscrew (Figure 1).
• Restore the desired sampling conditions.
• Collect the sample spectrum.
• Empty the sample cup and clean it before
running the next sample.

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 REACTION CHAMBER MAINTENANCE

LEAK CHECKING The Reaction Chambers have been carefully checked for
leaks before shipment. However, each time the Reaction
Chambers are disassembled and reassembled, leaks
may develop due to improper setting of the o-rings. If
leaks occur, carefully inspect all o-rings and sealing
surfaces for damage and contamination. Small leaks can
be pinpointed using a Helium Leak Detector. Contact
Harrick Scientific Corporation for advice and/or repair
information.

CLEANING THE REACTION To thoroughly clean the reaction chambers follow the
CHAMBERS procedure below.

To clean the HVC:

• Vacuum out the sample or remove the HVC from
the Praying Mantis™, remove the dome, turn the
HVC upside-down and dump out the sample.
• Use solvent to clean off the remaining sample.
• Unscrew the eight screws that secure the bottom
cover of the HVC.
• Remove the bottom cover to reveal three access
holes.
• Gingerly wipe or blow clean air through these
holes to clean the interior of the HVC.
• When the interior is clean, make sure the o-rings
on the bottom plate are clean and free of dirt.
• Re-install the bottom cover.

To clean the CHC:

• Vacuum out the sample or remove the CHC from
the Praying Mantis™, remove the dome, turn the
CHC upside-down and dump out the sample.
• Use solvent to clean off the remaining sample.
• Unscrew the four screws that secure the bottom
cover of the CHC.
• Remove the bottom cover to reveal the access
hole.
• Gingerly wipe or blow clean air through the hole
to clean the interior of the CHC.
• When the interior is clean, make sure the o-ring
on the bottom plate is clean and free of dirt.
• Re-install the bottom cover.

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 REACTION CHAMBER MAINTENANCE

REPLACING THE O-RINGS The o-rings used by the Reaction Chambers should be
replaced periodically. The Reaction Chambers have
o-rings for sealing the windows, o-rings for sealing the
access holes, o-rings on the fittings, and an o-ring to seal
the dome to the Reaction Chamber.

REPLACING THE HEATER To replace the HVC heater:

• Remove the HVC from the Praying Mantis™.
• Loosen the screw on the side of the HVC that
anchors the heater wire to the HVC.
• Remove the two screws at the back of the HVC
that clamp down the heater and thermocouple
wires.
• Push a small, blunt object through the heater
access hole (Figure 9) at the front of the HVC.
• Slide the heater out the back of the unit.
• To install a new heater, coat the heater with MgO
powder (Maalox™ or the equivalent).
• Slide it into the HVC until it hits the stop.
• Make sure that the heater is inserted completely
into the body before re-securing the wire.

To replace the CHC heater:

• Remove the CHC from the Praying Mantis™.
• Push a small, blunt object through the heater
access hole (Figure 15) at the opposite side of
the heating wires.
• Slide the heater out the other side of the unit.
• To install a new heater, coat the heater with MgO
powder (Maalox™ or equivalent antacid).
• Slide it into the CHC until it hits the stop.
• Make sure that the heater is inserted completely
into the body before re-securing the wire.

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 REACTION CHAMBER MAINTENANCE

REPLACING THE To replace the HVC thermocouple:

THERMOCOUPLE • Remove the HVC from the Praying Mantis™.
• Loosen the screw on the side of the HVC that
anchors the thermocouple wire to the HVC.
• Remove the two screws at the back of the HVC
that clamp down the heater and thermocouple
wires.
• Gently pull out the thermocouple.
• Slide the new thermocouple into the HVC until it
hits the stop.
• Make sure that the thermocouple is inserted
completely into the body before re-securing the
wire.

To replace the CHC thermocouple:

• Remove the CHC from the Praying Mantis™.
• Gently pull out the thermocouple.
• Slide the new thermocouple into the CHC until it
hits the stop.
• Make sure that the thermocouple is inserted
completely into the body before re-securing the
wire.

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 APPENDIX A

MOUNTING THE To install the supplied rail plate onto the floor of the
HARRICK RAIL PLATE sample compartment of your spectrometer:
• Remove any existing sample holders from the
floor of the spectrometer.
• Install the rail plate in the orientation indicated in
Figure 18. See Table 1 on the next page for the
appropriate screws/holes for your spectrometer.

Harrick Rail Plate Split Pea™

Mating Plate
BACK

B
D
C

C
A A

C
D
B

FRONT

Figure 18 • Screw and Pin Positions for Rail Plate

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 APPENDIX A

SPECTROMETERS HOLES

DIGILAB (All Models) A

MATTSON (Polaris, Galaxy, RS Infinity, Genesis, Satellite) B

PERKIN ELMER (Spectrum 1) C

THERMO-NICOLET (Nexus, Avatar, Magna, Impact) D

Table 1 • Screw and Pin Positions for Rail Plate

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 APPENDIX B

OPTIONAL AND REPLACEMENT PARTS

OPTIONAL PARTS (Praying Mantis™)

Ambient Sample Chamber ................................................................................... DRP-ASC

High Temperature Reaction Chamber, 110V ....................................................... HVC-DRP-1
High Temperature Reaction Chamber, 220V ....................................................... HVC-DRP-2
Low Temperature Reaction Chamber, 110V ........................................................ CHC-CHA-1
Low Temperature Reaction Chamber, 220V ........................................................ CHC-CHA-2
Spectroscopic Grade KBR Powder ...................................................................... KBR-100

OPTIONAL PARTS (Reaction Chambers)

Automatic Temperature Controller, 110V ............................................................... ATC-001

Automatic Temperature Controller, 220V ............................................................... ATC-002
Vacuum Pump, 110V .............................................................................................. VPA-001
Vacuum Pump, 220V .............................................................................................. VPA-002
High Pressure Dome for the HVC-DRP, ZnS Windows ......................................... HVC-DWI-3
High Pressure Dome for the HVC-DRP, ZnSe Windows ....................................... HVC-DWM-3
High Pressure Dome for the HVC-DRP, UV Quartz Windows ............................... HVC-DWA-3
ZnS Window for the HVC-DRP High Pressure Dome ............................................ WID-U43
ZnSe Window for the HVC-DRP High Pressure Dome .......................................... WMD-U43
UV Quartz Window for the HVC-DRP High Pressure Dome .................................. WAD-U43
UV Quartz Window for the Vacuum/Low Pressure Domes .................................... WAD-U23
Si Window for the Vacuum/Low Pressure Domes .................................................. WED-U23
CaF2 Window for the Vacuum/Low Pressure Domes ............................................ WFD-U23
ZnS Window for the Vacuum/Low Pressure Domes .............................................. WID-U23
ZnSe Window for the Vacuum/Low Pressure Domes ............................................ WMD-U23
KBr Window for the Vacuum/Low Pressure Domes ............................................... WPD-U23
O-Ring (#002) for Thermocouple Fitting, Kalrez .................................................... ORK-002
O-Ring (#10) for the VCO Fittings, Kalrez .............................................................. ORK-10
O-Ring (#26) for the Bottom Cover, Kalrez ............................................................ ORK-26
O-Ring (#23) for the Low Pressure Dome, Kalrez .................................................. ORK-23
O-Ring (#13) for Windows of the Low Pressure Dome, Kalrez ............................. ORK-13
O-Ring (#14) for O-Ring Retainer for High Pressure Dome, Kalrez ...................... ORK-14
O-Ring (#18) for O-Ring Retainer for High Pressure Dome, Kalrez ...................... ORK-18

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 APPENDIX B

REPLACEMENT PARTS (Praying Mantis™)

Alignment Fixture ..................................................................................................... DRP-ALN

Sampling Accessory Kit ........................................................................................... DRA-SAP
Micro-sampling Cup ................................................................................................. DRP-SAP
Sampling Cup .......................................................................................................... DRP-S10

REPLACEMENT PARTS (Reaction Chambers)

Screen Set, two each of three mesh size ............................................................... 116-439

K-Type Thermocouple ............................................................................................ 008-144
Heating Cartridge, 100W, 110V .............................................................................. HSC-251.25
Heating Cartridge, 100W, 220V .............................................................................. HSC-251.25-2
O-Ring (#002) for Thermocouple Fitting, Viton ...................................................... ORV-002
O-Ring (#10) for the VCO Fittings, Viton ................................................................ ORV-10
O-Ring (#26) for the Bottom Cover, Viton .............................................................. ORV-26
O-Ring (#23) for the Low Pressure Dome, Viton .................................................... ORV-23
O-Ring (#13) for Windows of the Low Pressure Dome, Viton ................................ ORV-13
O-Ring (#14) for O-Ring Retainer for High Pressure Dome, Viton ........................ ORV-14
O-Ring (#18) for O-Ring Retainer for High Pressure Dome, Viton ........................ ORV-18
UV Quartz Window for the Vacuum/Low Pressure Domes .................................... WAD-U23
UV Quartz Window for the HVC-DRP High Pressure Dome .................................. WAD-U43
KBr Window for the Vacuum/Low Pressure Domes ............................................... WPD-U23

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Manual Part No. DRP-M-03

©2004 Harrick Scientific Corporation