Hershey TL5R Vertical Low-Speed Refrigerated Centrifuge

Overview

The Hershey TL5R is a vertically oriented, floor-standing low-speed refrigerated centrifuge engineered for high-capacity, temperature-sensitive separation tasks in clinical diagnostics, bioprocessing, blood banking, and academic research laboratories. Designed around the principles of sedimentation equilibrium and differential centrifugation, the TL5R delivers stable, reproducible performance at rotational speeds up to 5500 rpm—optimized for pelleting cells, organelles, and large biomolecular complexes without inducing shear-induced denaturation or aggregation. Its robust mechanical architecture integrates a direct-drive AC frequency-controlled motor with advanced thermal management, enabling continuous operation across a wide ambient-to-cryogenic temperature spectrum (−20 °C to +40 °C) while maintaining sample integrity during prolonged runs. The unit’s vertical form factor minimizes footprint while maximizing internal chamber volume, supporting ultra-high-volume horizontal rotors—including 4 × 750 mL configurations—making it especially suited for plasma fractionation, whole-blood processing, and large-scale cell harvest.

Key Features

• High-stability drive system featuring an Infineon power module and custom-developed control board, delivering ±50 rpm speed accuracy and noise levels ≤65 dB(A) under full-load conditions.
• Environmentally compliant refrigeration using R404a refrigerant and fluorine-free compressor technology, with programmable pre-cooling, standby cooling, and automatic defrost functionality.
• Triple-stage damping mechanism—including asymmetric counterweight design, silicone-damped suspension mounts, and torsional isolation—ensuring vibration suppression and preventing sample resuspension during deceleration.
• TFT-LCD color touchscreen with bilingual (English/Chinese) interface support, real-time dual-parameter display (setpoint vs. actual), and on-the-fly parameter adjustment without interrupting active runs.
• Biosafety-certified angular rotor with integrated silicone O-ring seal conforming to EU RoHS Directive 2015/863, eliminating aerosol leakage during high-speed operation.
• Reinforced 304 stainless steel centrifuge chamber, powder-coated steel housing, and triple-layer safety shroud meeting IEC 61010-2-020 mechanical safety requirements.
• Intelligent door-locking system with silent electromechanical actuation—self-engaging upon lid closure—and automatic interlock verification prior to acceleration.
• Comprehensive protection suite covering overspeed, overtemperature, imbalance detection, undervoltage, overvoltage, and rotor mismatch alerts.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TL5R accommodates a broad range of primary and secondary containers via interchangeable rotor systems, including vacuum blood collection tubes (up to 148 × 5 mL), standard conical tubes (12 × 15 mL to 72 × 5 mL), flat-bottom and conical 250 mL bottles, enzymatic microplate carriers (2 × or 4 × 96-well), and custom adapters for 100 mL, 50 mL, and 15 mL formats. All rotors are auto-identified by the control system to enforce speed and RCF limits per configuration. The instrument complies with ISO 13485:2016 for medical device quality management and carries CFDA registration for in vitro diagnostic use in China. Its audit-trail-ready firmware supports GLP-compliant recordkeeping, including timestamped run logs, user authentication, and parameter change history—fully traceable for regulatory review under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when deployed with validated IT infrastructure.

Software & Data Management

The embedded microprocessor enables storage of up to 20 user-defined protocols, each configurable with independent acceleration/deceleration profiles (10-step ramping), hold times, temperature setpoints, and RCF targets. All parameters—including elapsed time, instantaneous rpm, real-time RCF, chamber temperature, and error codes—are logged automatically and exportable via USB port in CSV format. Firmware supports multi-language UI localization (English, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese) and includes built-in diagnostics for motor health, refrigeration cycle efficiency, and bearing wear estimation. Remote monitoring is not natively supported; however, the unit’s RS-232 interface allows integration into centralized lab automation platforms via third-party middleware adhering to HL7 or ASTM E1384 standards.

Applications

• Clinical hematology: Separation of whole blood into packed red cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) using swing-out rotors with calibrated g-force profiles.
• Vaccine manufacturing: Clarification of bacterial lysates and viral harvests at low shear stress to preserve antigenic epitopes.
• Cell therapy labs: Harvesting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from large-volume leukapheresis products.
• Food microbiology: Concentration of pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria) from enrichment broths prior to PCR or culture-based detection.
• Environmental testing: Sedimentation of suspended solids and algae from wastewater samples in compliance with ISO 10523 and APHA Standard Methods 2540D.

FAQ

What is the maximum relative centrifugal force (RCF) achievable with the TL5R?
The TL5R achieves a maximum RCF of 4800 ×g using the 4 × 100 mL fixed-angle rotor at 5000 rpm.
Does the TL5R support rotor calibration and speed verification?
Yes—each rotor is factory-calibrated and recognized automatically; users may perform periodic validation using external tachometers per ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines.
Can the TL5R maintain temperature stability during extended runs (>6 hours)?
Yes—the compressor-based cooling system maintains ±1 °C accuracy across the full −20 °C to +40 °C range, even during 99-hour timed operations.
Is the TL5R compatible with GMP documentation requirements?
It provides electronic run logs with user ID, timestamps, and parameter history—sufficient for internal SOP compliance; full 21 CFR Part 11 validation requires site-specific IQ/OQ protocols.
What safety certifications apply to the TL5R’s mechanical and electrical design?
The unit conforms to IEC 61010-1 (safety of laboratory equipment) and IEC 61010-2-020 (particular requirements for centrifuges), with CE marking via notified body assessment.