1. How much catalyst should I use in each basket?
2.5 + 0.5 grams
2. How often is it necessary to heat or reheat the catalyst to ensure its proper function?
The catalyst must be rejuvenated after each use.
3. How long should the catalyst be heated in the drying oven?
The palladium catalyst may be rejuvenated by heating at 160-170ºC for two hours or more provided the pellets were not contaminated by hydrogen sulfide-producing organisms.
4. How long will heat affect the catalyst? Will too much heat destroy its properties?
The catalyst can be effectively rejuvenated as long as the actual pellets remain intact and have not been contaminated by hydrogen sulfide producing organisms. Heating does not destroy the catalytic properties of the pellets.
5. Can the catalyst be heated in the metal basket while attached to the lid of the jar?
The catalyst must not be rejuvenated in the baskets when attached to the lids. Baskets containing catalyst pellets may be heated individually.
6. Will the heat affect the wire mesh basket with the catalyst in it?
No.
7. How should reactivated catalysts be stored?
After rejuvenation the pellets should be stored desiccated or in a dry environment until used.
8. What are the reactions in the BBL GasPak™ Anaerobic System?
Hydrogen is generated from sodium borohydride following the addition of water. The hydrogen combines with oxygen, in the presence of the palladium catalyst, to form water.
9. What are the dimensions of the BBL GasPak™ jars?
Total Volume Internal Diam. Int.Hgt of Jar Hgt w/ Lid GasPak100 2.5L 12cm 22cm 29cm GasPak150 9.5L 22cm 22.5cm 30cm
The GasPak 100 jar is designed to hold one stack of up to 12 100x15mm BBL™ Stacker™ petri dishes.
The GasPak 150 jar is designed to hold three stacks of 12 (36), 100x15mm BBL™ Stacker™ petri dishes. or 12 of the 150x15mm BBL™ plates.
10. How should the jars be cleaned?
We recommend a mild soap solution like household dish detergent. Strong detergents, phenolic compounds and bleach may damage the polycarbonate jar. Do not autoclave the jars.
11. The threads of the catalyst basket have melted. Why?
Heat is generated during the reaction. Avoid placing an envelope directly under a catalyst basket.
12. Can prepared media be pre-reduced in the jars?
Yes. When pre-reducing prepared media , refrigerate after the anaerobic indicator is reduced (1-1.5 hours). The reaction takes longer at refrigeration temperatures (2-8 ºC).
13. How much pressure and vacuum can the jar withstand?
BBL GasPak™ jars will withstand 2 psi of pressure; then will vent. This is a safety feature of the design. Depending upon the number of plates present in the jar during the anaerobic reaction, a vacuum may form. The jar is designed to withstand a vacuum; i.e., when evacuation/replacement methods are employed.
14. Can BBL GasPak™ envelopes be used in competitors' systems?
This is not recommended. Competitor jars have different volumes that will affect gas concentrations. BD cannot guarantee performance of BBL GasPak products if they are used in competitors' systems.
15. What is the difference between the BBL GasPak™ Plus and the Standard BBL GasPak™ envelope?
The difference is the inclusion of a fresh palladium catalyst attached to each BBL GasPak Plus envelope. This eliminates the need to regenerate loose catalyst each time. The release of hydrogen and CO2 during the entire reaction is also more tightly controlled.
17. When using GasPak™ Plus envelopes my GasPak disposable anaerobic indicator (wet) indicator is white when I leave the lab in the evening and sometimes when I check at 24 hours, but it is light blue at 48 hours. What causes this?
This may be due to minute leaks in the jar seal resulting from the higher, more prolonged vacuum produced by the GasPak Plus envelopes. We recommend the use of the dry anaerobic indicator strips with the GasPak Plus envelope because it better reflects the standardized anaerobiosis realized with our newest envelope. We offer a GasPak Bulk Kit (271041), which contains 100 GasPak Plus Envelopes and 100 dry indicators. Replacing the jar seal may also be appropriate, depending on its age and condition.
18. How much CO2 and oxygen are generated by each envelope?
Within 90 minutes, the expected values are as follows:
CO2 O2 Anaerobic envelope 4-10% less than 0.1% (residual) Campy envelope 5-12% 5-15% CO2 envelope 5-10%
19. Do I need to use catalyst with the BBL GasPak CO2 envelope?
No. The reaction that produces a suitable CO2 environment does not require the palladium catalyst.
20. Is there an indicator which will tell me if my BBL GasPak™ CO2 envelope is working?
Yes. The BBL GasPak CO2 Indicator catalog number is 271055.
21. Can I use your BBL GasPak™ CO2 envelope in my old candle jar?
We do not recommend this. The CO2 envelope has been designed to perform with the BBL GasPak equipment.
22. How many BBL GasPak™ CO2 envelopes do I use?
One in the GasPak 100 jar and three in the GasPak 150 jar.
23. Is there an indicator that can tell me if my CampyPak™ is working?
No. At this time there is no chemical indicator that detects microaerophilic conditions.
24. What are the concentrations of gases in the CampyPak™ system after activation?
Within 90 minutes after activation the O2 level is 5-15% (depending upon the number of plates) and the CO2 level is 5-12%.
