Great Wall HX-3010 Precision Refrigerated/Heating Circulating Bath

Overview

The Great Wall HX-3010 Precision Refrigerated/Heating Circulating Bath is an engineered thermal management system designed for laboratory-scale temperature control of external devices and reaction vessels. It operates on a closed-loop liquid circulation principle—using a thermally stable heat transfer fluid (typically water or water-glycol mixtures) to absorb, transport, and dissipate thermal energy with high fidelity. The unit integrates both refrigeration and resistive heating modules, enabling bidirectional temperature control across a broad operational range from −30 °C to +99 °C. Its core architecture supports external circulation via dual-impeller pump design, delivering consistent flow rates up to 10 L/min at pressures up to 0.2 bar—sufficient for passive cooling of electrophoresis units, electron probe microanalyzers (EPMA), spectroscopic detectors, and other heat-sensitive instrumentation. Unlike simple immersion baths, the HX-3010 functions as a centralized thermal source/sink, maintaining spatial uniformity within its 10 L reservoir while actively regulating temperature through PID-based feedback control with 0.1 °C resolution and ±0.2 °C stability under steady-state conditions.

Key Features

• PID-controlled dual-mode thermal regulation (refrigeration + heating) ensures rapid setpoint acquisition and minimal overshoot across the full −30 °C to +99 °C range
• Dual-impeller circulation pump with self-priming capability enables reliable fluid delivery to both open and sealed external systems—including jacketed reactors, condensers, and analytical detectors
• Uniform bath temperature distribution achieved via integrated impeller-driven mixing, minimizing axial and radial thermal gradients in the reservoir
• Digital LED display with intuitive keypad interface supports real-time monitoring of actual temperature, setpoint, and operational status
• Robust mechanical construction: cold-rolled steel housing with electrostatic powder coating; IP20-rated enclosure suitable for controlled indoor laboratory environments
• Compliant refrigerant R404A (GWP-adjusted, non-ozone-depleting) used in hermetically sealed compression circuit with overheat and high-pressure safety cutoffs

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HX-3010 is compatible with standard laboratory fluids including deionized water, 30–50% aqueous ethylene glycol solutions, and silicone oils (within viscosity limits of ≤50 cSt at operating temperature). Its 12 mm OD quick-connect fittings accommodate common Tygon® or Viton® tubing. While not certified to UL/CSA or CE for medical device integration, the unit meets IEC 61010-1:2010 safety requirements for electrical equipment used in laboratory settings. Its design supports GLP-compliant workflows when paired with external data loggers (via RS485 interface), enabling traceable temperature records for method validation per ASTM E2877-22 (Standard Guide for Thermal Stability Testing) and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 7.7 (Control of Environmental Conditions). The absence of internal moving parts beyond the pump and compressor contributes to long-term operational reproducibility in QC/QA applications.

Software & Data Management

The HX-3010 includes an RS485 serial interface compliant with Modbus RTU protocol, permitting integration into centralized lab automation networks. When connected to a host PC or PLC, users may remotely configure temperature setpoints, monitor real-time bath temperature, read pump status, and trigger alarms (e.g., low-fluid, overtemperature, or communication timeout). While no proprietary software is bundled, third-party SCADA platforms (e.g., LabVIEW, Ignition, or custom Python-based daemons using PyModbus) can acquire timestamped data at user-defined intervals. Audit trails generated externally satisfy FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when combined with appropriate electronic signature and access control layers. No onboard memory or cloud connectivity is provided—data persistence and security are managed at the system-integration level.

Applications

• Thermal conditioning of electrophoresis tanks, capillary electrophoresis modules, and gel documentation systems
• Cooling support for X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers, scanning electron microscopes (SEM) detector housings, and CCD camera assemblies
• Temperature stabilization of viscometers, densitometers, and refractometers requiring external thermal coupling
• Controlled-rate heating/cooling cycles in polymer characterization (e.g., DSC sample stage pre-conditioning)
• Calibration verification of contact thermometers and RTD probes per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.3
• Process simulation in petrochemical R&D, including asphalt penetration testing and lubricant viscosity profiling per ASTM D445/D86

FAQ

What types of external equipment can be cooled or heated using the HX-3010?

The unit supports any device with a liquid-cooled jacket or heat exchanger port accepting 12 mm OD flexible tubing—including electrophoresis power supplies, laser sources, vacuum pumps, and analytical detectors.
Is the HX-3010 suitable for use with flammable solvents?

No. The bath reservoir and circulation path are designed exclusively for non-flammable heat transfer media such as water, water-glycol blends, or silicone oils. Use with organic solvents is prohibited due to material compatibility and ignition risk.
Does the unit include temperature calibration certification?

Factory calibration is performed using NIST-traceable reference thermometers; however, a formal calibration certificate is not included by default and must be requested separately prior to shipment.
Can the HX-3010 maintain temperature during extended unattended operation?

Yes—provided ambient conditions remain within specification (5–35 °C, ≤70% RH) and the external load does not exceed the unit’s thermal capacity (±200 W net heat exchange typical for 10 L/min flow at ΔT = 10 °C).
What maintenance is required to ensure long-term performance?

Annual inspection of refrigerant charge, pump impeller integrity, and electrical connections is recommended. Bath fluid should be replaced every 6–12 months depending on usage frequency and contamination exposure.