JULABO FP50-HE High-Performance Heating and Cooling Circulating Bath

Overview

The JULABO FP50-HE is a high-precision, dual-mode heating and cooling circulating bath engineered for demanding laboratory applications requiring stable, reproducible temperature control across an exceptionally wide operational range—from −50 °C to +200 °C. Designed and manufactured in Germany, it employs a single-stage, air-cooled R404A refrigeration system paired with a robust 2 kW resistive heating module and a stainless-steel SmartPump circulation system. Its core thermal management architecture integrates ICC (Intelligent Control Circuit) adaptive temperature regulation, TCF (Temperature Control Function) dynamic compensation, and ATC3 (Automatic Three-Point Calibration) to ensure traceable, long-term stability at ±0.01 °C—both in bath setpoint accuracy and spatial uniformity. Unlike basic chillers or immersion heaters, the FP50-HE functions as a closed-loop external temperature controller: it circulates thermally conditioned fluid through external devices—including jacketed reactors, viscometers, spectrophotometers, refractometers, and calorimeters—enabling precise, real-time thermal conditioning of process streams or sample environments. The unit complies with DIN 12876-1 Class III (FL) safety standards for laboratory equipment handling flammable liquids, and its integrated Pt100 sensor interface supports direct feedback from external systems for cascade or master-slave control configurations.

Key Features

• VFD white-backlit display with simultaneous readout of bath temperature, setpoint, pump status, alarm conditions, and external sensor input (if connected)
• Waterproof membrane keyboard with tactile feedback for secure parameter entry under wet lab conditions
• SmartPump technology: automatically adjusts motor torque and flow pressure (0.4–0.7 bar) in response to changes in heat transfer fluid viscosity—critical when operating across sub-zero to superheated ranges
• ACC (Adaptive Cooling Control) and FP (Fractional Proportional) refrigeration algorithms—minimize compressor cycling, reduce energy consumption by up to 30% versus fixed-speed systems, and maintain stable cooling power across the full −50 °C to +200 °C span
• Integrated low-level detection with audible/visual alarm and automatic heater/compressor shutdown to prevent dry-run damage
• RS232 serial interface standard; optional RS485 and Profibus modules available for integration into SCADA or LIMS environments
• Onboard 6 × 60-step programmable temperature ramping profile memory—supports complex thermal protocols such as crystallization studies, polymer curing cycles, or enzyme denaturation assays
• Removable front air grille and accessible condenser coil—designed for routine maintenance without tools or service downtime
• Dual hose barb fittings (8 mm and 12 mm OD) included; M16×1 internal thread pump ports compatible with ISO-standard quick-connect couplings

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FP50-HE is certified to DIN 12876-1 Class III (FL), indicating suitability for use with flammable liquids in laboratory settings where vapor ignition risk exists. Its sealed refrigeration circuit, grounded chassis, and overtemperature cut-off meet IEC 61010-1:2010 safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use. While not inherently compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, its audit-ready data logging (when paired with JULABO’s optional software suite) supports GLP/GMP workflows through timestamped event records—including calibration logs, alarm triggers, and program execution history. The unit operates within ambient conditions of 5–40 °C and requires no external water supply—making it ideal for cleanrooms, fume hoods, or mobile analytical platforms. Compatible heat transfer fluids include silicone oils (up to 200 °C), ethylene glycol/water mixtures (down to −50 °C), and specialized low-volatility synthetics meeting ASTM D6792 specifications.

Software & Data Management

The FP50-HE supports bidirectional communication via RS232 for remote monitoring and control using JULABO’s proprietary LabView-compatible PC software or third-party SCADA drivers. Logged parameters—including actual bath temperature, setpoint, pump speed, refrigeration load, and external Pt100 readings—are time-stamped and exportable in CSV format. Optional analog I/O modules (0–10 V or 4–20 mA) enable analog signal interfacing with PLCs or PID controllers for hybrid temperature regulation schemes. All calibration events—including ATC3 three-point verification—can be stored and recalled locally or exported for quality documentation. Firmware updates are performed via USB-to-serial adapter, ensuring long-term compatibility with evolving laboratory informatics infrastructure.

Applications

• Precise thermal control of jacketed glass reactors during exothermic/endothermic synthesis
• Stabilizing optical path temperature in UV-Vis spectrophotometers and FTIR systems to minimize baseline drift
• Maintaining constant bath temperature for capillary viscometry (ASTM D445) and rotational rheometry
• Calibration reference source for secondary temperature sensors (e.g., thermistors, RTDs) per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements
• Thermal preconditioning of biological samples prior to cryo-microscopy or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
• Environmental simulation for material testing—e.g., polymer glass transition analysis (ASTM E1356), elastomer aging studies
• Supporting automated liquid handling systems requiring temperature-regulated reagent reservoirs

FAQ

What is the minimum recommended heat transfer fluid volume for stable operation?
The FP50-HE requires a minimum fill level of 5.5 L to ensure proper pump priming and thermal mass stability; the nominal capacity is 8 L.
Can the FP50-HE operate continuously at −50 °C?
Yes—its optimized ACC algorithm and high-efficiency evaporator design allow sustained operation at −50 °C, provided ambient conditions remain ≤25 °C and adequate ventilation is maintained.
Is external Pt100 calibration traceable to NIST standards?
The ATC3 function enables user-performed three-point calibration against certified reference probes; final traceability depends on the calibration lab’s accreditation scope and uncertainty budget.
Does the unit support fail-safe shutdown during network interruption?
Yes—loss of RS232 communication triggers a configurable safety mode (default: hold current setpoint for 5 min, then revert to standby with visual alert).
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the R404A refrigeration system?
No scheduled refrigerant servicing is required under normal operation; annual inspection of condenser cleanliness and electrical connections is advised per JULABO Maintenance Protocol MP-FP50 v3.2.