Titan VD-R10 Circular Vacuum Desiccator

Overview

The Titan VD-R10 Circular Vacuum Desiccator is a precision-engineered laboratory desiccation system designed for moisture-sensitive sample storage, solvent-free drying, and controlled low-humidity conditioning of hygroscopic materials. Unlike conventional desiccators relying solely on desiccant media, the VD-R10 integrates a robust vacuum-tight chamber with standardized ground-glass sealing interfaces and an integrated vacuum port compatible with external vacuum pumps (e.g., diaphragm or rotary vane types). Its operation is based on pressure reduction to lower the vapor pressure of residual moisture—enabling efficient dehydration at ambient temperature without thermal degradation. This principle aligns with ASTM D1711 and ISO 1110 standards for non-thermal drying evaluation of polymers and pharmaceutical excipients. The unit is widely deployed in QC laboratories, material science research, and electronics packaging validation where oxygen- and moisture-induced oxidation or hydrolysis must be mitigated during intermediate storage.

Key Features

• Optically clear, borosilicate glass chamber (Ø 100 mm × H 120 mm) with high thermal shock resistance (up to 500 °C short-term) and chemical inertness against common solvents and acids.
• Ground-glass joint (ISO K 14/23 standard) ensures repeatable, leak-tight sealing under vacuum conditions up to –0.1 MPa (10 mbar absolute).
• Integrated vacuum inlet port with 6 mm OD barbed fitting, compatible with standard vacuum tubing and pressure gauges.
• Stainless steel base plate with anti-slip rubber feet and recessed desiccant tray (removable, Ø 85 mm) accommodating silica gel, phosphorus pentoxide, or molecular sieves.
• No internal heating elements—designed strictly for ambient-temperature vacuum desiccation to preserve thermolabile compounds including APIs, OLED intermediates, and lithium battery cathode precursors.
• CE-marked mechanical design compliant with EN 61000-6-3 (EMC) and EN 61000-6-2 (immunity), suitable for ISO Class 5–7 cleanroom-adjacent environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VD-R10 accommodates standard laboratory vessels—including weighing boats, Petri dishes (up to 90 mm diameter), crucibles, and sample vials—within its chamber volume of 0.94 L. Its inert glass construction ensures compatibility with aggressive desiccants (e.g., P₂O₅) and avoids catalytic surface reactions common in metal-bodied units. For regulated environments, the desiccator supports GLP-compliant documentation workflows: users may log batch numbers, desiccant replacement dates, and vacuum hold times in lab notebooks or LIMS-integrated records. While not a GMP-certified device per se, its reproducible sealing performance and traceable manufacturing origin (South Korea, ISO 9001-certified Titan facility) support audit readiness under FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned data governance protocols.

Software & Data Management

The VD-R10 operates as a standalone passive instrument and does not incorporate embedded electronics or firmware. However, it is fully interoperable with third-party vacuum monitoring systems—such as digital vacuum gauges (e.g., MKS Baratron series) or programmable vacuum controllers (e.g., Pfeiffer TPU 280)—that provide real-time pressure logging, trend analysis, and CSV export. When paired with validated vacuum pumps and calibrated gauges, the system supports 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic records when used in conjunction with audit-trail-enabled software platforms (e.g., LabWare LIMS or Thermo Fisher SampleManager). No proprietary drivers or cloud services are required.

Applications

• Residual moisture control of lyophilized biologics prior to vial stoppering
• Storage of calibration standards (e.g., NIST SRMs) requiring <10% RH stability
• Drying of thin-film transistor (TFT) substrates before photolithography
• Conditioning of humidity-sensitive reference materials for FTIR and XRD analysis
• Pre-weighing stabilization of hygroscopic salts (e.g., LiCl, CaCl₂) in analytical chemistry workflows
• Long-term archiving of archival film and microfiche under inert gas/vacuum hybrid protocols

FAQ

Does the VD-R10 include a vacuum pump?
No—the VD-R10 is a vacuum chamber only and requires an external vacuum source. We recommend a two-stage diaphragm pump achieving ≤10 mbar ultimate vacuum for optimal performance.
Can the desiccator be used with inert gas purging instead of vacuum?
Yes—via the same vacuum port, users may backfill with dry nitrogen or argon after evacuation to establish an inert atmosphere; the ground-glass seal maintains integrity under positive pressure up to 0.05 MPa gauge.
Is the glass chamber resistant to hydrofluoric acid exposure?
No—borosilicate glass is incompatible with HF. For such applications, consult Titan’s fused quartz desiccator option (model VD-Q10).
What is the maximum operating temperature?
The chamber is rated for intermittent use up to 500 °C; however, sustained operation above 120 °C is not recommended due to potential degradation of the ground-glass lubricant and O-ring elasticity.
Are replacement desiccant trays available separately?
Yes—Titan supplies OEM-compatible trays (part number TRAY-VD10) and pre-filled silica gel cartridges (SG-CARTRIDGE-VD) with indicator beads.