Julabo FLW2506 Circulating Chiller

Overview

The Julabo FLW2506 Circulating Chiller is a high-capacity, water-cooled thermal management system engineered for continuous, stable temperature control in demanding laboratory and pilot-scale industrial applications. Designed around a single-stage hermetic compressor and R404A refrigerant circuit, the FLW2506 operates on the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle—transferring heat from process fluid to a secondary cooling water loop via an integrated shell-and-tube condenser. Its operational temperature range of –15 °C to +40 °C enables precise thermal conditioning of analytical instruments (e.g., ICP-MS, NMR pre-cooling circuits, HPLC column ovens), laser systems, vacuum pumps, and material testing rigs. Unlike tap-water-dependent cooling solutions, the FLW2506 eliminates uncontrolled water consumption and thermal drift, delivering reproducible thermal performance while complying with institutional water conservation mandates and ISO 50001 energy management principles.

Key Features

• Integrated water-cooled architecture with G¾” external-thread cooling water inlet/outlet—designed for connection to facility chilled water or cooling tower loops (recommended supply: 10–25 °C, 3–6 bar, ≥1.5 m³/h flow capacity)
• High-flow, pressure-variable circulation pump (60 L/min at up to 6.0 bar) with stainless steel wetted parts and G1¼” male threaded ports for secure, leak-resistant hose coupling
• Large-volume reservoir (24–30 L) with integrated level sensor and visual LED indicator—enabling extended runtimes and reduced refilling frequency during unattended operation
• Robust thermal stability of ±0.5 °C across the full operating range, achieved via PID-controlled refrigerant expansion valve, dual-stage fan modulation, and high-resolution (0.1 °C) PT100-sensed feedback loop
• Wide return fluid tolerance (≤80 °C), permitting safe integration with exothermic processes such as reactor jacket cooling or power electronics thermal sinks
• Standard compatibility with aqueous and glycol-based heat transfer media—including JULABO-certified Thermal fluids—ensuring corrosion resistance, low viscosity at sub-zero temperatures, and long-term thermal stability
• RS232 serial interface (optional Profibus DP-V1) supporting remote setpoint control, real-time parameter logging, and alarm status reporting—fully compatible with LabVIEW™, SCADA, and LIMS platforms

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FLW2506 accommodates a broad spectrum of process fluids, including deionized water, 30–50% ethylene glycol/water blends, and JULABO Thermal series heat transfer liquids. All wetted components—including pump head, reservoir, and internal tubing—are constructed from stainless steel (AISI 316), EPDM, and PTFE to resist chemical degradation and microbial growth. The unit complies with EN 61000-6-2 (immunity) and EN 61000-6-4 (emission) electromagnetic compatibility standards. Its refrigerant charge (720 g R404A) adheres to EU F-Gas Regulation (EC) No. 517/2014, with full documentation provided for end-of-life recovery and certified refrigerant handling per EN 378-1. While not intrinsically rated for hazardous areas, the FLW2506 meets CE marking requirements for safe operation in non-explosive environments under Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD).

Software & Data Management

Local operation is managed through a front-panel LED display with intuitive menu navigation and password-protected parameter access. For networked deployment, the optional RS232 or Profibus interface supports bi-directional communication using ASCII protocol or standardized PROFIdrive profiles. Logged data—including temperature setpoint, actual bath temperature, pump pressure, refrigeration load, and alarm history—is timestamped and exportable in CSV format. When integrated into validated environments (e.g., pharmaceutical QC labs), the system supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails via third-party supervisory software—enabling electronic signatures, user-level access control, and immutable record retention aligned with GLP and GMP Annex 11 expectations.

Applications

• Continuous cooling of high-power analytical instrumentation: ICP-OES/MS torch interfaces, X-ray diffraction (XRD) detectors, FTIR interferometers
• Thermal regulation of industrial laser diodes and fiber amplifiers requiring stable junction temperatures below ambient
• Jacketed reactor and calorimeter temperature control in chemical synthesis and polymerization studies
• Cooling of rotary evaporators, vacuum pumps, and mass spectrometer foreline traps under sustained vacuum conditions
• Environmental test chamber auxiliary cooling where ambient air-cooling fails to meet heat rejection demands
• Pilot-scale bioreactor temperature stabilization during fed-batch fermentation (when paired with sterile fluid path accessories)

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable inlet temperature of the facility cooling water?
The FLW2506 requires facility cooling water at 10–25 °C and ≥3 bar pressure. Supply water exceeding 28 °C may reduce refrigeration capacity and trigger high-head-pressure alarms.
Can the FLW2506 operate without a connected cooling water supply?
No—it is strictly water-cooled and lacks an air-cooled condenser; dry operation will cause immediate compressor shutdown and potential refrigerant circuit damage.
Is the reservoir volume fixed or adjustable?
The internal reservoir holds 24–30 L depending on fill level and expansion volume; no mechanical adjustment is provided, but level monitoring ensures optimal thermal mass and pump priming.
Does the unit support external temperature sensors for process feedback control?
Yes—via optional Pt100 input (0–10 V analog or Modbus RTU), enabling cascade control where chiller output responds directly to process-side temperature deviation.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for long-term reliability?
Compressor oil and refrigerant integrity should be verified annually; cooling water filters require quarterly cleaning; glycol concentration and pH of circulating fluid must be tested every six months per ASTM D1122 and ASTM D1384 guidelines.