The Great Wall VT-5000HC Cryogenic Trap

Overview

The Great Wall VT-5000HC Cryogenic Trap is a high-capacity, laboratory-grade cold trap engineered for reliable condensation and removal of water vapor, solvents, and volatile contaminants from vacuum systems. It operates on the principle of cryogenic condensation—utilizing a closed-loop refrigeration system with R404A refrigerant to achieve stable low-temperature surfaces (down to −40 °C under no-load conditions), enabling efficient phase transition of vapors into solid or liquid phases prior to reaching the vacuum pump. This significantly extends pump service life, maintains ultimate vacuum integrity, and prevents backstreaming of condensables into sensitive instrumentation. Designed for integration with vacuum drying ovens, rotary evaporators, freeze dryers, and battery electrode drying lines, the VT-5000HC serves dual functional roles: as a primary cryogenic trap in vacuum workflows and as a secondary low-temperature bath (−40 °C to ambient) for pre-freezing or controlled thermal conditioning of samples or components.

Key Features

• Two operational configurations: direct-chamber trapping (stainless steel 304 cold trap vessel) and glass condenser flask-based trapping—enabling chemical compatibility optimization across aqueous, alcoholic, acidic, and organic solvent systems.
• High-precision Pt100 temperature sensor with digital display allows real-time monitoring and precise setpoint control across the full operating range (−40 °C to room temperature), supporting process synchronization with vacuum initiation protocols.
• Robust indirect refrigeration architecture delivers graded cooling capacity: 920 W at −10 °C, tapering to 40 W at −40 °C—ensuring thermal stability during extended operation and minimizing thermal shock to trapped condensates.
• Triple-borosilicate (3.3) glass condenser flasks (Ø50 × 300 mm) provide optical clarity for visual inspection, chemical inertness against aggressive media, and ease of cleaning or replacement—critical for GMP-aligned battery manufacturing environments.
• Comprehensive safety suite includes delayed compressor startup, overcurrent cutoff, and overtemperature shutdown—meeting IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 immunity and emission requirements for laboratory equipment.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VT-5000HC supports diverse material handling protocols without cross-contamination risk. Its 304 stainless steel cold chamber is suitable for water- and ethanol-based processes (e.g., lyophilization pre-cooling, pharmaceutical solvent recovery). The borosilicate glass condenser assembly complies with ISO 3585 standards and resists corrosion from hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, acetone, ethyl acetate, and NMP—making it appropriate for cathode/anode drying in lithium-ion battery production per GB/T 36276–2018 and UL 1642 test preparation workflows. All wetted surfaces are non-porous and cleanable to ISO 14644-1 Class 5 standards. The unit’s electrical design conforms to CE marking directives (2014/30/EU EMC, 2014/35/EU LVD) and carries factory calibration documentation traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China).

Software & Data Management

While the VT-5000HC operates via standalone analog/digital controls (no embedded microprocessor), its temperature output signal (Pt100, 2-wire configuration) is compatible with external data acquisition systems—including LabVIEW-compatible DAQ modules, PLC-based SCADA networks, and validated environmental monitoring platforms compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11. Optional analog voltage output (0–10 V) or 4–20 mA signal conversion kits enable integration into centralized facility management systems for audit-ready temperature logging, alarm relay triggering, and preventive maintenance scheduling. All configuration parameters—including setpoint history, run duration, and fault codes—are manually recordable in laboratory notebooks aligned with GLP documentation practices.

Applications

• Vacuum drying of hygroscopic pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) requiring moisture levels <100 ppm.
• Condensation of solvent vapors (e.g., dichloromethane, THF, DMF) during rotary evaporation or short-path distillation in QC labs.
• Pre-freezing and moisture scavenging in lithium-ion battery electrode coating and calendaring lines—reducing residual solvent content prior to cell assembly.
• Cryogenic protection of diffusion pumps and turbomolecular pumps in surface analysis systems (XPS, AES) and high-vacuum metallurgical furnaces.
• Gas-phase purification in glovebox antechambers and inert-atmosphere synthesis reactors where H₂O and O₂ partial pressures must remain below 1 ppm.

FAQ

What is the recommended maintenance interval for the VT-5000HC refrigeration system?
Compressor oil and refrigerant charge require verification every 24 months under continuous operation; filter-drier replacement is advised annually per ISO 8573-1 purity class monitoring.

Can the VT-5000HC be operated in a nitrogen-purged enclosure?
Yes—the unit’s electrical compartment is IP20 rated and non-sparking; however, ambient dew point must remain >5 °C to prevent condensation on internal electronics.

Is the glass condenser flask certified to ISO 1042?
Each flask meets ISO 1042 Class A volumetric tolerance (±0.25 mL at 300 mL) and is supplied with individual calibration certificates.

Does the VT-5000HC support remote start/stop via dry contact?
Yes—terminal block inputs for external 24 VDC control signals are provided on the rear panel, configurable for interlock with vacuum pump controllers.

What is the maximum allowable inlet vapor load before efficiency degradation occurs?
At −40 °C, sustained condensation capacity is ~1.2 g/min for water vapor; for mixed solvent streams, consult the manufacturer’s vapor pressure vs. temperature derating curves included in the technical manual.