I want to dry off the solvent from the sample by vacuum drying. Can I use tube furnace with no temperature setting only for vacuum drying?
Dear Apoorva,
to my opinon YES.
But please make sure that your solvent, even in its gas phase does not (seriously) affect the pump system/ pump oil (or even your furnace).
May I know what is the typical usage of your tube furnace?
(1) If it is used just for annealing, then should be okay.
(2) But if it is part of the thermal oxidation system, then at high temperature, the solvent that stick on the tube sidewall may contaminate your oxidation layer. This may happen also for (1). So please be careful.
What is the vacuum level on your system? If it is not connected to a turbo pump, it may not be very effective. If your system only has a roughing or mechanical pump, you should consider flowing UHP dry nitrogen through the tube at subatmospheric pressure to dry your sample. That may be more effective.
As the others have pointed out, the tube and the entire vacuum system downstream of the tube including pipes and pump will be contaminated with solvent vapors, so you must make sure with your facility's safety coordinator if it is OK. Some solvents are damaging to mechanical pumps and turbos, too.
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