Herxi HR/T20MM High-Speed Refrigerated Floor-Standing Centrifuge

Overview

The Herxi HR/T20MM is a high-performance floor-standing refrigerated centrifuge engineered for demanding separation workflows in regulated and research-intensive laboratories. It operates on the principle of sedimentation under controlled centrifugal force—generating up to 31,750 × g at 21,000 rpm—to resolve heterogeneous mixtures based on particle density, size, and shape. Designed for high-throughput sample processing, its 4 × 750 mL maximum capacity supports large-volume applications in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, clinical diagnostics, blood banking, and upstream/downstream bioprocessing. The unit integrates a non-ozone-depleting R404a refrigeration system capable of maintaining sample temperature below 4 °C even at full rotational speed—a critical capability for preserving thermolabile macromolecules such as monoclonal antibodies, viral vectors, and primary cell lysates. Its structural architecture complies with IEC 61010-2-020 for laboratory equipment safety and meets ISO 13485 requirements for medical device-related quality management systems.

Key Features

• Brushless AC frequency-controlled motor with integrated dsPIC30F digital signal controller and FAIRCHILD FSBB30CH intelligent drive module—ensuring precise speed regulation (±50 rpm), extended service life, and low electromagnetic interference.
• Electromechanical quiet-latch door mechanism with fail-safe engagement and automatic imbalance detection—halting operation within milliseconds upon detection of mass asymmetry exceeding tolerance thresholds.
• Dual-stage composite vibration damping system combining elastomeric mounts and aerodynamically optimized airflow channels—reducing operational noise to ≤65 dB(A) and minimizing transmission of mechanical resonance to adjacent instrumentation.
• 4.3″ TFT true-color touchscreen interface with dual-control logic (touch + physical keys), real-time display of RCF, speed, temperature, radius correction factor, and elapsed time—enabling intuitive parameter adjustment without menu nesting.
• Programmable deceleration profiles (10 acceleration/deceleration rates) and 35 configurable run protocols—including 20 factory-default methods—supporting reproducible method transfer across shifts and sites.
• Rotor auto-identification via embedded RFID or optical encoding—preventing mismatched rotor usage and enforcing speed/temperature limits per rotor geometry and material specification.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HR/T20MM accommodates a broad range of sample containers—from microcentrifuge tubes (1.5–2.0 mL) to high-capacity bottles (up to 750 mL)—via interchangeable fixed-angle and swing-bucket rotors. All standard rotors and accessories are validated for autoclaving at 121 °C for 20 minutes (EN 285 compliant), while gas-tight rotor assemblies and lids undergo rigorous validation for prion inactivation at 140 °C for 2 hours—meeting WHO and EC guidelines for TSE risk mitigation. The system’s thermal management maintains setpoint stability (±1 °C) across ambient conditions ranging from 10–32 °C, satisfying CLSI EP10-A3 requirements for temperature uniformity during analytical centrifugation. Certification to CE, ISO 9001, and ISO 13485 confirms conformity with EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745) Annex I essential requirements and supports integration into GMP-compliant environments.

Software & Data Management

While the HR/T20MM operates as a standalone instrument, its microcontroller architecture supports optional RS-485 or USB-to-serial connectivity for external logging and remote monitoring. All run parameters—including speed, RCF, temperature, time, rotor ID, and event timestamps—are stored in non-volatile memory with audit-trail capability. The system records operational anomalies (e.g., overtemperature, overspeed, door interlock breach) with time-stamped entries, aligning with ALCOA+ principles for data integrity. Though not natively 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, the firmware architecture permits third-party integration with LIMS or ELN platforms that enforce electronic signature, role-based access control, and change history tracking—facilitating compliance with FDA, EMA, and PMDA regulatory expectations.

Applications

• Cell pellet harvesting and subcellular fractionation in mammalian, insect, and microbial expression systems.
• Clinical specimen processing: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) separation, buffy coat isolation, and cryoprecipitate recovery from whole blood units.
• Vaccine development: purification of virus-like particles (VLPs), adjuvant formulation, and removal of host-cell DNA/RNA contaminants.
• Food safety testing: concentration of pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria) from enrichment broths prior to PCR or immunoassay detection.
• Agricultural biotechnology: extraction and clarification of plant-derived proteins, exosomes, and extracellular vesicles for functional characterization.

FAQ

What is the minimum temperature achievable at maximum speed?
At 21,000 rpm, the chamber temperature remains stable at ≤4 °C when set to −20 °C, due to active heat dissipation through the dual-circuit R404a refrigeration system.
Can this centrifuge be used for continuous operation over multiple cycles?
Yes—the brushless motor and reinforced bearing assembly are rated for ≥20,000 hours MTBF; however, thermal duty cycle must comply with manufacturer-specified cooldown intervals between consecutive high-RCF runs.
Is rotor calibration required before first use?
No—factory-calibrated radius values are embedded in each rotor’s identification chip; manual radius input is only needed for custom or legacy rotors lacking auto-ID capability.
Does the unit support gradient centrifugation?
Yes—when equipped with swing-bucket rotors and compatible gradient media (e.g., sucrose, iodixanol), the HR/T20MM enables rate-zonal and isopycnic separations with programmable deceleration to preserve band integrity.
How is compliance with GLP/GMP documentation verified?
Each unit ships with a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) report including speed accuracy verification, temperature uniformity mapping (per ISO 13485 Annex C), and safety interlock validation—serving as baseline documentation for IQ/OQ protocol development.