Optima™ R Stirred Circulating Bath – GR150-S/P Series

Overview

The Optima™ R Stirred Circulating Bath (GR150-S/P Series) is a high-precision, dual-heating, actively stirred temperature control system engineered for demanding laboratory applications requiring exceptional thermal stability, uniformity, and programmable fluid circulation. Based on Peltier-assisted thermoelectric cooling (for S-series models with optional C1G/C2G chillers) and resistive heating, the system delivers precise temperature regulation across a broad operational range—up to −15 °C to +150 °C for stainless-steel bath configurations and +5 °C above ambient to +99 °C for polypropylene baths. Its core architecture integrates a robust 2 kW heating module (240 V) or 1.3 kW (115 V), a high-flow internal circulation pump (17 L/min), and dual-sensor feedback control using Pt1000 external probe inputs. Designed for ISO/IEC 17025-compliant environments, it supports GLP/GMP workflows through audit-ready data logging, two-point calibration traceability, and configurable alarm thresholds.

Key Features

• Ultra-stable temperature control: ±0.005 °C stability at 37 °C, with ≤0.02 °C spatial uniformity across the bath volume
• Dual-display interface: 4-digit, 13 mm high-brightness LED for primary setpoint/actual temperature + 2×16-character LCD for menu navigation, status, and programming
• High-capacity circulation: Integrated pump delivering up to 270 mbar pressure and 17 L/min flow rate—compatible with external jackets, reactors, and viscometers
• Flexible configuration: Five language options (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian); selectable bath materials (PP or 316 stainless steel) and volumes (5–38 L)
• Advanced safety architecture: Adjustable overtemperature cutoff, float-switch liquid-level detection, dual high/low temperature alarms, and automatic power-down on fault
• RS232 serial interface standard; enables remote control, real-time data streaming, and firmware updates via Labwise™ PC software

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The GR150-S/P series accommodates a wide range of sample vessels—from microcentrifuge tubes to 5-L jacketed reactors—via standardized inlet/outlet ports (6 mm and 11 mm tubing compatibility). Stainless-steel models (GR150-S5 to GR150-S38) are certified for use with heat-transfer fluids including silicone oil, glycol/water mixtures, and low-viscosity therminol derivatives—subject to chemical compatibility verification per ASTM D1259. Polypropylene models (GR150-P5 to GR150-P18) are intended for aqueous media only. All units comply with IEC 61010-1:2010 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and meet CE marking requirements under the EU Low Voltage and EMC Directives. Optional Labwise™ software supports 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when configured with electronic signatures and audit trail logging.

Software & Data Management

Labwise™ software (optional) transforms the GR150-S/P into a fully programmable thermal workstation. Users can define up to 30-segment temperature ramps, holds, and cycles—with ramp rates adjustable in 0.1 °C/min increments. Temperature data is logged at user-defined intervals (1 s to 60 min resolution) and exported in CSV or XLSX formats. Real-time graphing supports overlay comparison of multiple channels (bath, external probe, reference sensor). The software implements secure user access levels, encrypted data storage, and timestamped audit trails—including operator ID, parameter changes, and alarm events—enabling full traceability for regulatory submissions and internal QA reviews.

Applications

• Calibration of thermometers, RTDs, and thermocouples per ISO 17025 and ASTM E74
• Temperature-controlled enzymatic assays, cell culture incubation support, and protein stability studies
• Viscometry and rheometry bath integration (e.g., with Brookfield, Anton Paar, or Thermo Scientific instruments)
• Material testing per ASTM D5272 (thermal conductivity of plastics) and ISO 22088-3 (polymer thermal aging)
• QC/QA validation of pharmaceutical dissolution apparatus (USP Apparatus I–II water baths)
• Environmental simulation for electronics reliability testing (JEDEC JESD22-A104)

FAQ

What is the minimum operating temperature without an external chiller?
For GR150-S models, the minimum temperature without an integrated or add-on chiller is ambient +5 °C. To achieve sub-ambient operation (down to −15 °C), the C1G or C2G refrigerated cooling units must be connected.
Can the GR150-P series be used with organic solvents?
No—the polypropylene bath construction is chemically resistant only to water, saline solutions, and mild buffers. Organic solvents (e.g., acetone, ethanol, chloroform) will degrade the bath material and void warranty.
Is two-point calibration traceable to NIST standards?
Yes—users may perform manual two-point calibration using certified reference thermometers (e.g., Fluke 1523 with 0.005 °C uncertainty). Calibration coefficients are stored in non-volatile memory and logged with timestamps in Labwise™ audit reports.
Does the RS232 interface support Modbus RTU protocol?
No—the native protocol is ASCII-based command-response over RS232. Modbus integration requires third-party gateway hardware or custom driver development.
What maintenance is required for long-term pump reliability?
Annual inspection of impeller clearance and seal integrity is recommended. For continuous operation >8 h/day, replace the pump’s ceramic bearing assembly every 24 months per manufacturer service bulletin SB-GR150-2023-04.