LAUDA Kryoheater Selecta KHS3560W Process Temperature Controller

Overview

The LAUDA Kryoheater Selecta KHS3560W is a high-performance process temperature controller engineered for demanding laboratory and industrial applications requiring precise, stable, and wide-range thermal management. Operating on the principle of forced-circulation liquid temperature control, it integrates dual-mode heating and refrigeration within a single robust stainless-steel chassis. Its core architecture employs a two-stage compression refrigeration system—optimized for operation down to –60 °C—paired with high-efficiency electric resistance heating capable of sustaining temperatures up to 200 °C. The unit utilizes a water-cooled condenser and a stepper-motor-driven expansion valve to ensure continuous, fine-grained refrigerant flow regulation, minimizing compressor cycling and enabling low-wear partial-load operation. Designed for integration into closed-loop systems, the KHS3560W supports nitrogen blanketing to suppress oxidation of heat transfer fluids (e.g., silicone oils or specialized synthetic fluids), thereby extending fluid service life and safely elevating maximum operational temperature limits beyond standard atmospheric constraints.

Key Features

• Magnetically coupled, speed-adjustable circulation pump delivering up to 85 L/min at 5.5 bar—maintaining high flow even under significant system backpressure
• Integrated real-time diagnostics with visual fault indication and full-system status monitoring (compressor, pump, heater, sensor inputs, refrigerant pressure)
• Configurable communication interface: factory-selectable analog (0–10 V / 4–20 mA) or digital modules (Modbus RTU, Profibus DP); USB port and LEMO connector for external PT100/PT1000 sensor integration included as standard
• Nitrogen purge compatibility via dedicated inlet/outlet ports—enabling inert atmosphere operation for oxygen-sensitive media and elevated thermal stability
• Energy-optimized control logic combining stepper-valve modulation and adaptive compressor staging to reduce power consumption during transient and steady-state conditions
• Stainless-steel bath reservoir (55 L usable volume) with minimum fill requirement of 15 L; compatible with water, ethanol/water mixtures, silicone oils, and other LAUDA-approved heat transfer fluids

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The KHS3560W is not a sample analysis instrument but a precision thermal platform intended for conditioning reactors, jacketed vessels, calorimeters, and environmental test chambers. It meets CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Its control architecture supports traceability and audit readiness in regulated environments: optional firmware upgrades enable event logging with timestamps, user-access levels (admin/operator/guest), and configurable alarm thresholds—all compliant with GLP and GMP documentation expectations. While not certified to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, its digital I/O and logging capabilities are fully compatible with validated third-party data acquisition systems used in pharmaceutical process development and automotive component thermal cycling validation per ISO 16750-4 and SAE J2380.

Software & Data Management

No proprietary PC software is bundled; however, the KHS3560W provides native support for industry-standard protocols enabling seamless integration into existing SCADA, DCS, or LabVIEW-based control infrastructures. All setpoints, actual values, alarms, and system statuses are accessible via Modbus registers or analog outputs. The embedded controller logs operational events—including start/stop cycles, temperature deviations exceeding ±0.5 K, and pump/compressor fault codes—with non-volatile memory retention. For long-term trending, users may connect an external data logger via the analog outputs or implement OPC UA bridging through compatible gateway hardware. Firmware updates are performed via USB using LAUDA’s standardized engineering utility (available under NDA for qualified integrators).

Applications

• Temperature control of glass reactors and pilot-scale chemical synthesis systems requiring cryogenic initiation and exothermic reaction quenching
• Thermal conditioning of aerospace composite layup tooling and battery module test fixtures across –60 °C to +200 °C cycles
• Calibration and verification of reference thermometers, RTDs, and infrared sensors in metrology laboratories
• Stabilization of optical benches, interferometers, and laser diode mounts sensitive to thermal drift
• Supporting ASTM D341 viscosity-temperature correlation studies and ISO 3104 kinematic viscosity testing when paired with calibrated capillary viscometers
• Environmental stress screening (ESS) of electronic assemblies per JEDEC JESD22-A108 and MIL-STD-810G Method 502.6

FAQ

What heat transfer fluids are recommended for operation at –60 °C?
LAUDA recommends Therminol LT, Shell Heat Transfer Oil S2, or Dow Corning 200 Fluid (50 cSt) for sub-zero operation. Fluid selection must account for pour point, vapor pressure at 200 °C, and compatibility with stainless-steel wetted parts.
Is remote monitoring possible without additional hardware?
Yes—the built-in USB port allows direct connection to a host PC for configuration and real-time parameter readout using LAUDA’s terminal utility; however, network-based remote access requires an external protocol converter (e.g., Modbus TCP gateway).
Can the unit operate continuously at 200 °C with nitrogen blanketing?
Yes—nitrogen purging reduces oxidative degradation of silicone-based fluids, permitting extended dwell times at maximum temperature while maintaining fluid integrity and thermal stability.
What maintenance intervals are specified for the two-stage compressor?
LAUDA specifies 2,000 operating hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first) for initial oil and filter replacement; subsequent intervals depend on ambient cooling water quality and duty cycle, as logged in the system’s maintenance counter.
Does the KHS3560W support external cascade control loops?
Yes—via analog input (0–10 V), the unit accepts external temperature feedback from a process sensor, enabling master-slave configurations where the KHS3560W acts as a slave actuator in a higher-level PID loop.