Hanuo RE-5000A 5L Automatic-Lift Rotary Evaporator

Overview

The Hanuo RE-5000A is a floor-standing, 5-liter capacity rotary evaporator engineered for reliable solvent removal, concentration, and recovery under reduced pressure. It operates on the fundamental principle of thin-film evaporation: a rotating evaporation flask immersed in a thermostatically controlled water bath generates a uniform, high-surface-area liquid film along its inner wall, significantly enhancing mass transfer and thermal efficiency. Under vacuum—typically maintained at 10–100 mbar using an external diaphragm or oil-sealed vacuum pump—solvent boiling points are lowered, enabling gentle, low-temperature evaporation ideal for thermolabile compounds such as proteins, natural extracts, pharmaceutical intermediates, and polymer solutions. The system integrates mechanical rotation, precise temperature regulation, and high-efficiency condensation in a single robust architecture suitable for both laboratory-scale development and pilot-scale process optimization.

Key Features

• Floor-mounted structural design with reinforced steel frame for enhanced stability during high-speed rotation and large-volume operation.
• 5 L evaporation flask with extra-large diameter (≥150 mm) and standard ISO 297 ground-glass joint for secure, leak-resistant mounting and rapid flask exchange.
• Dual-mode lifting mechanism: ergonomic foot-operated toggle lever for fine manual positioning, plus motor-driven rapid lift (travel range ≥180 mm) for seamless flask immersion and removal.
• Digital RPM display and infinitely variable speed control (0–110 rpm) via precision DC motor and feedback-regulated drive circuitry—ensuring consistent film formation across viscosity ranges.
• Water bath heating system with PID temperature controller; operating range from ambient (RT) to 98 °C, ±1 °C typical accuracy at setpoint, calibrated per ASTM E2251 practices.
• Vertical dual-coil condenser with high-density serpentine tubing (total cooling surface area ≈ 0.85 m²), optimized for high latent heat rejection and >95% solvent recovery efficiency with chilled coolant (e.g., 5–10 °C glycol/water mix).
• 3 L round-bottom collection flask with standard ball joint interface and integrated drain valve for safe, spill-free solvent recovery.
• Total power rating of 2120 W supports simultaneous heating, rotation, and lift actuation without thermal throttling or voltage drop under nominal 220 V / 50 Hz supply.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RE-5000A accommodates a broad spectrum of solvents—including water, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and toluene—as well as aqueous and organic-aqueous mixtures. Its glassware set complies with DIN/ISO 3585 borosilicate 3.3 specifications (e.g., Pyrex®-equivalent), ensuring chemical resistance and thermal shock tolerance up to 200 °C. While the unit itself is not certified to IEC 61010-1 or UL 61010B as a complete system, all electrical components meet CE marking requirements for laboratory equipment safety. When operated within validated protocols—including documented calibration of bath temperature, rotational speed, and vacuum level—the system supports GLP-compliant workflows. It is routinely deployed in R&D environments aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 quality management frameworks and serves as a primary concentration tool in USP dissolution method development and FDA-regulated extractive process documentation.

Software & Data Management

The RE-5000A is a standalone analog-digital hybrid instrument with no embedded microprocessor or network interface. All operational parameters—rotation speed and bath temperature—are monitored via front-panel LED displays and manually adjusted using calibrated potentiometers. For traceability in regulated settings, users integrate external data loggers (e.g., Omega OM-DAQPRO-5300 or Testo 176 T4) connected to PT100 bath sensors and tachometer outputs. Audit trails, calibration records, and usage logs are maintained manually or via LIMS platforms compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with electronic signature-capable software. No firmware updates, cloud connectivity, or proprietary drivers are required or supported.

Applications

• Concentration of natural product extracts (e.g., botanicals, marine metabolites) without thermal degradation.
• Solvent recovery and reuse in pharmaceutical API purification sequences (e.g., post-crystallization mother liquor processing).
• Removal of low-boiling solvents prior to lyophilization or spray drying in biopharmaceutical downstream processing.
• Batch-wise concentration of polymer solutions for rheological characterization or film-casting studies.
• Environmental analysis workflows—e.g., EPA Method 3510C sample preparation for VOC extraction and concentration.
• Food science applications including essential oil isolation, flavor concentrate production, and lipid fractionation.
• Academic teaching labs for demonstrating phase equilibria, Raoult’s law deviations, and vacuum distillation kinetics.

FAQ

What vacuum level can the RE-5000A achieve?
The unit does not include an integrated vacuum pump. Ultimate vacuum is determined by the connected pump and system integrity (e.g., hose length, seal quality, cold trap presence). With a standard two-stage diaphragm pump (e.g., KNF N810.3FT.18), stable operation at 15–30 mbar is typical.
Is the water bath temperature uniformly distributed?
Yes—the stainless-steel bath chamber features radial heater placement and magnetic stirrer-assisted circulation (optional accessory), yielding ≤±0.5 °C spatial variation across the flask immersion zone per ASTM D1557 testing protocol.
Can the RE-5000A be used with corrosive solvents like concentrated HCl or HF?
No. Standard borosilicate glass components are incompatible with hydrofluoric acid and fuming sulfuric acid. For aggressive media, optional PTFE-coated joints or quartz condensers must be specified separately—and require full compatibility validation prior to use.
Does the system support automated endpoint detection?
No. Endpoint determination (e.g., dryness, viscosity threshold) requires operator observation or integration with external sensors (e.g., load cell on collection flask, inline NIR probe).
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Daily: Inspect seals and glassware for cracks; weekly: lubricate lift mechanism gears and verify motor brake function; annually: recalibrate bath temperature sensor and validate rotation speed accuracy against a handheld tachometer per ISO 17025 procedures.