BD50 & BD28 Block Digestion Systems

Improving your Kjeldahl Digestion for TKN & TKP and other high-temperature digestions through automated digestion steps and consistent sample heating.

Elevate High Temperature Digestion Productivity

If you’re looking to automate your digestion, SEAL BD50 and BD28 Systems deliver the productivity, quality and safe operation needed to get the program off to a strong start. These programmable digestion systems perform high temperature (over 380º C) digestion of samples and are available in two formats:

50-place for 75 ml or 100 ml digestion tubes
28-place for 250 ml digestion tubes

Designed for durability and robustness, the systems include a block digestion unit, programmable controller, tube rack/draft shield, digestion tubes and an optional cooling stand that supports the tube rack above the block. Ideal for Kjeldahl digestion before Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) and Phosphorous (TKP) analysis.

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Why select the BD50 & BD28?

Automation

Automatic operation frees key laboratory personnel from the tedious manual digestions
Up to 20 programs with 30 steps each can be stored, allowing automation of complex procedures
Programmable standby temperature enables rapid startup, increasing daily batch processing
Overnight digestion capability improves throughput

Compliance

Unique heating element ensures even heat distribution across the solid alumnium block
Digital storage of digestion methods ensures reproducibility between batches and operators
Automatic power failure sensing and recording of digest conditions protect samples
Built-in temperature cutoff system prevents overheating

Efficiency

Controlled heating-rate changes as low as 1°C per minute prevent bumping and spattering of reactive samples
No ongoing consumable costs, apart from power and reagents
Compact design saves fume hood space; separate controller can be operated outside the fume hood for safety and convenience

Support

Minimal technical expertise and user interaction required
Immediate support available from SEAL chemists via email, phone, or video call

Highlights of the BD50 & BD28

Small footprint

With a compact design and separate controller unit stored outside the fume hood, the BD50 and BD28 are designed for maximum sample capacity with a minimal footprint to save on fume hood bench space.

Even heat distribution

Utilizing a flat plate heating element, the BD50 and BD28 ensure uniform heat is delivered to every tube position, providing an identical digestion on every sample.

Various digestion tubes available

Choose from six different tube types, including 75 mL or 100 mL tubes for the BD50, or 250 mL tubes for the BD28. Straight tube and volumetric tube styles are available for each volume, as well as teardrop stoppers (cold-fingers) and splash heads. Additionally, non-selenized, high-purity digestion granules are also available through SEAL Analytical.

Built-in Cooling Stand

Built on top of the digestion block, the cooling stand allows for rapid cooling of tubes without taking additional fume hood bench space.

How the BD50/BD28 Works

Digestion block is programmed

Sample tubes are loaded

Digestion begins

Samples are cooled after completed digestion

Samples ready for reconstitution and analysis

Step 1

Digestion block is programmed

Customizable digestion steps are added to a digestion block program for automated handling of various heating needs. Block can be programmed to warm-up for expedited heating to target

Step 2

Sample tubes are loaded

An analyst dispenses sample and digestion reagent into sample tubes, loads the tubes onto the digestion block, and starts the digestion program.

Step 3

Digestion begins

The BD50 or BD28 walks the samples through each digestion step, bringing samples to target temperatures, within 2°C, at programmed speeds. Teardrop stoppers capture and recondense digest fumes reducing acid loss and preventing cross contamination.

Step 4

Samples are cooled after completed digestion

A built-in alarm alerts the analyst of the completed digestion. The analyst raises the sample rack into the cooling position.

Step 5

Samples ready for reconstitution and analysis

After cooling completes, the samples are ready to be reconstituted by the analyst and tested for desired analytes.

Samples are cooled after completed digestion

Samples ready for reconstitution and analysis

BD50 & BD28 Digestion Methods

The BD50 and BD28 digestion system can be programmed to meet your lab’s digestion needs, capable of heating to over 380°C . These system are most commonly used for precision Kjeldahl digestions, but are also used for persulfate digestions, metal digestions, mercury digestions, and more. Contact us to discover the best SEAL Analytical digestion system for your needs.

EPA Methods

EPA Method Number	EPA Method Name
351.2	Determination of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen by Semi-Automated Colorimetry
365.1	Determination of Phosphorus by Semi-Automated Colorimetry
365.4	Phosphorous, Total (Colorimetric, Automated, Block Digester AA II)

Other models

SmartBlock II (Legacy System)

The SmartBlock ll is a graphite heating block that will simultaneously digest up to 60 samples. Designed to work faster, simpler, and safer than traditional laboratory equipment, this manual digestion block was a popular solution for basic digestion procedures.

Learn more

DEENA & DEENA II (Legacy Systems)

Predecessors to the DEENA 3 and 4, the DEENA and DEENA II are robust automated sample digestion systems used widely across the world for streamlined sample preparation. The DEENA dispenses reagent volumes into sample tubes, mixes contents by shaking, and evenly heats in the graphite block. Following digestion, samples are automatically filled to volume.

Learn more

DEENA 3 Automated Digestion System (Legacy System)

Predecessor to the DEENA 4, the DEENA 3 increased the capacity of previous DEENA systems and introduced dedicated reagent pumps for precision dispensing. Like other DEENA systems, the DEENA 3 fully automates digestion and sample prep processes including accurate dispense of reagents into sample tubes, mixing, heating, and reconstituting to a precise final volume after the digestion.

Learn more

DEENA 4 Automated Digestion System

The DEENA 4 is the latest in SEAL Analytical’s series of automated sample digestion systems. Bringing even more durability and precision to an already successful product line, the DEENA will accurately dispense desired reagent volumes into sample tubes, mix contents thoroughly by shaking, and evenly heat samples in the graphite block. Following digestion, samples are automatically filled to volume.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we’ve listed a few frequently asked questions that will help you better understand our Digestion Systems. If you don’t find the answer you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact our support team for further assistance.

Is my digestion protocol approved on your BD28 and/or BD50?

As the digestion block simply follows the programmed steps based on your already approved digestion method, they typically do not require a separate approval to automate an existing approved method.

How does the BD28 & BD50 digestion block improve my Kjeldahl digestions?

The BD28 and BD50 can increase your Kjeldahl digestion precision and quality not just sample to sample, but also batch to batch. Human error is eliminated during the digestion, as each digestion step is replicated exactly by the block controller from batch to batch. Additionally, the block material and heating element’s flat plate design provide uniform heating across all digestion tube positions, ensuring each sample is treated the same throughout the digestion. This results in evenly digested samples – leading to less variance in the analysis of TKN and TKP.

Ready to get started on your next digestion system?

BD50 & BD28 Block Digestion Systems

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