Coolium CH-3030T High-Temperature/Low-Temperature Circulating Chiller

Overview

The Coolium CH-3030T is a vertically oriented, dual-mode circulating chiller engineered for precise, continuous thermal control across an exceptionally broad operational range—from −30 °C to +180 °C—within a single, sealed fluid loop. Unlike conventional chillers requiring separate hot and cold units or medium swaps, the CH-3030T integrates a hermetic mechanical refrigeration system with a high-efficiency electric heating module and a microprocessor-based PID controller. Its thermodynamic architecture employs a brazed plate heat exchanger for rapid, high-efficiency refrigerant-to-fluid energy transfer, enabling direct ramping from elevated temperatures (e.g., 180 °C) down to cryogenic setpoints without thermal shock or system purging. The unit maintains fluid integrity via an expansion reservoir that isolates vapor-phase pressure fluctuations and thermally buffers the working medium—ensuring minimal moisture absorption at low temperatures and zero oil mist generation at high temperatures. This design supports long-term stability of deionized water or synthetic heat-transfer fluids, reducing maintenance frequency and operational risk in regulated environments.

Key Features

• Wide-range single-loop operation: −30 °C to +180 °C without medium replacement or auxiliary equipment
• Brazed plate evaporator: Compact footprint, high surface-area-to-volume ratio, and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel construction for sustained thermal efficiency
• Real-time liquid level monitoring: Integrated optical sensor with visual LED indicator and automatic pump shutdown on low-level detection
• High-head circulation pump: Delivers up to 1.2 bar pressure at 20 L/min flow rate—sufficient for multi-point distribution to reactors, jacketed vessels, or analytical instrumentation located up to 30 m away
• Multi-layer safety architecture: Independent thermal cutouts (high-temp, low-temp), ground-fault circuit interruption (GFCI), overcurrent protection, emergency stop button, and pressure relief valve compliant with EN 61000-6-2/6-4 EMC standards
• Thermal inertia mitigation: Optimized fluid dynamics and PID tuning enable ≤15 min stabilization time after ±50 °C step changes under full load

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CH-3030T circulates non-corrosive, low-viscosity heat-transfer media—including ASTM D1121-grade deionized water and ISO 6743-12 Class E synthetic silicone or polyalkylene glycol (PAG) fluids—making it suitable for direct coupling with glass-lined reactors, stainless-steel bioreactors, vacuum jacketed systems, and calorimetric cells. Its sealed-loop design eliminates atmospheric exposure, preventing oxidation, hydrolysis, or particulate ingress during extended operation. From a regulatory standpoint, the unit’s deterministic temperature control profile, audit-ready event logging (via optional RS485/Modbus RTU interface), and hardware-enforced safety interlocks align with GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) requirements for pharmaceutical process development (ICH Q5C), chemical synthesis validation (ASTM E2500), and material testing (ISO 17025). While not intrinsically rated for hazardous areas, its CE marking confirms conformity with the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU.

Software & Data Management

The CH-3030T features a built-in 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen HMI with intuitive menu navigation, real-time trend graphing (temperature, flow, pressure), and configurable alarm thresholds. All operational parameters—including setpoint history, runtime hours, fault logs, and calibration timestamps—are stored in non-volatile memory for ≥12 months. Optional Ethernet or RS485 connectivity enables integration into LabVantage, DeltaV, or custom SCADA platforms using standard Modbus TCP/RTU protocols. When paired with Coolium’s optional DataBridge software (v3.2+), users gain CSV export capability, remote parameter adjustment, digital signature-enabled calibration lockout, and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records—including user authentication, change tracking, and immutable audit trails—for FDA-regulated workflows.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical: Jacketed reactor temperature control during API crystallization, lyophilization cycle validation, and accelerated stability testing per ICH Q1A(R3)
• Chemical R&D: Exothermic reaction quenching, catalyst screening under isothermal conditions, and high-temperature hydrogenation support
• Materials science: Thermal cycling of polymer composites, dielectric fluid conditioning for capacitor testing, and CVD precursor delivery line tempering
• Analytical instrumentation: Active cooling/heating of FTIR spectrometer sample compartments, GC oven pre-conditioning, and DSC reference cell stabilization
• Vacuum systems: Condenser temperature management for rotary evaporators and cold traps operating below −20 °C

FAQ

Can the CH-3030T cool from +180 °C directly to −30 °C without draining or refilling the bath?
Yes. Its integrated refrigeration and heating subsystems operate independently under coordinated PID logic, allowing uninterrupted ramping across the full temperature span while maintaining fluid seal integrity and thermal stability.

Is deionized water sufficient for operation up to +180 °C?
Deionized water may be used up to +95 °C without degradation. For sustained operation above 100 °C, Coolium recommends ISO 6743-12 Class E synthetic fluids with vapor pressure 200 °C—validated per ASTM D92 and D324.

What is the minimum recommended tubing size for external circulation loops?
For optimal flow velocity and pressure drop control, use ≥10 mm ID stainless-steel or PTFE-lined tubing with maximum loop length ≤30 m and ≤3 directional bends.

Does the unit support external temperature feedback from a process sensor?
Yes. The optional PT100 input channel enables cascade control mode, where the chiller regulates bath temperature to maintain a user-defined offset relative to an external process probe—critical for jacketed vessel applications.

How often does the refrigerant require servicing or recharging?
The hermetically sealed R-404A/R-507 dual-circuit refrigeration system is designed for >15,000 hours of continuous operation without maintenance under normal ambient conditions (15–32 °C).