PRIMA HD120 High-Precision Circulating Water Bath

Overview

The PRIMA HD120 High-Precision Circulating Water Bath is an engineered thermal management system designed for laboratories requiring exceptional temperature stability, repeatability, and operational flexibility in sample conditioning, enzymatic assays, viscometry baths, dissolution testing, and calibration of temperature-sensitive instrumentation. Utilizing a closed-loop, magnetically coupled circulation pump and PID-controlled resistive heating architecture, the HD120 maintains precise thermal equilibrium across its stainless-steel bath chamber—minimizing convective drift and spatial gradients. Its dual-mode circulation (internal bath homogenization and external loop delivery) enables integration with external equipment such as spectrophotometer cuvette holders, reaction jackets, or environmental test chambers. The system operates within a validated range of ambient +8 °C to 99 °C, achieving ±0.02 °C stability at 37 °C—a specification aligned with critical applications including clinical urine iodine quantification (per WHO/ICP-UNICEF protocols), pharmaceutical dissolution apparatus calibration (USP ), and QC validation of thermistor-based sensors.

Key Features

• Three scalable bath volumes (8 L, 12 L, 26 L) to accommodate diverse throughput and external loop demands
• Dedicated microprocessor controller with independent setpoint and sensor input channels for simultaneous internal bath and external loop monitoring
• High-flow, sealless magnetic drive pump delivering 16 L/min at 280 mbar pressure—optimized for low-backpressure external circuits
• Four-digit LED display with 0.1 °C resolution and remote-readable brightness; integrated visual timer and acoustic completion alert
• User-accessible two-point temperature calibration function—enabling field adjustment against NIST-traceable reference thermometers
• Multi-tier safety architecture: programmable over-temperature limit, liquid-level detection circuitry, dry-run shutoff, and audible/visual fault indication
• Full stainless-steel interior (AISI 304), reinforced top opening, and integrated drain valve for rapid maintenance and contamination control
• Compliance-ready design: supports audit trails for calibration logs, configurable alarm thresholds, and hardware-level temperature logging via optional RS232/USB interface

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HD120 series accommodates aqueous solutions, glycol-water mixtures (up to 30% v/v), silicone oils (for extended high-temp operation), and other non-corrosive heat-transfer media. Its open-top geometry (142 × 130 mm to 290 × 350 mm, depending on model) permits immersion of large-format vessels, multi-well plates, and jacketed reactors. All models meet IEC 61010-1:2010 safety requirements for laboratory electrical equipment and are constructed to support Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) workflows. Temperature stability and uniformity data are generated per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited verification procedures. For regulated environments—including FDA-regulated clinical labs—the system supports 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic records when paired with PRIMA’s optional LogView software suite (version 3.2+), enabling user authentication, audit trail generation, and electronic signature capture.

Software & Data Management

While the HD120 operates autonomously via its front-panel interface, optional connectivity modules enable bidirectional communication with host PCs. The LogView software (sold separately) provides real-time graphing, automated data export (CSV, PDF), scheduled calibration reminders, and configurable alarm escalation (email/SNMP). All temperature logs include timestamp, operator ID, setpoint, measured value, and deviation metrics—structured for inclusion in analytical method validation reports (e.g., ICH Q2(R2)). Firmware updates preserve backward compatibility and incorporate security patches aligned with NIST SP 800-53 controls for laboratory IT infrastructure.

Applications

• Clinical diagnostics: Standardized incubation for urinary iodine analysis (Sandell–Kolthoff reaction), ELISA plate incubation, and thyroid hormone assay preparation
• Pharmaceutical QC: USP dissolution apparatus water bath qualification, tablet coating uniformity testing, and viscosity standardization
• Materials science: Thermal aging of polymer films, gelation point determination, and rheological pre-conditioning of samples prior to DSC or DMA analysis
• Calibration laboratories: Reference bath for thermocouple, RTD, and infrared thermometer verification per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.5.2
• Academic research: Controlled-temperature enzymatic kinetics, DNA hybridization studies, and microbial growth rate profiling

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended operating temperature for external loop applications?
The HD120 maintains stable external loop delivery up to 95 °C when using deionized water; for sustained >90 °C operation with organic fluids, consult the PRIMA Chemical Compatibility Guide before selecting heat-transfer media.
Can the HD120 be used with refrigerated circulators for sub-ambient control?
No—the HD120 is a heating-only system. For combined heating/cooling applications, PRIMA recommends pairing the HD120 controller with an external chiller via analog 0–10 V control signal (available on HD120-T26 with optional I/O module).
Is the bath depth sufficient for full immersion of standard 15 mL conical tubes?
Yes—minimum liquid depth is 190 mm across all models, exceeding the 110 mm height of common 15 mL centrifuge tubes when placed upright.
How often should user calibration be performed?
PRIMA recommends biannual two-point calibration using certified reference thermometers traceable to NIST or UKAS; frequency may increase under heavy use or after mechanical shock or fluid replacement.
Does the system support Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity?
Standard HD120 units feature RS232 and USB-B ports only. Ethernet (TCP/IP) and Wi-Fi interfaces are available through the PRIMA Connect Gateway accessory (model CG-HD120), sold separately and requiring firmware version 4.1 or higher.