DC-15B Constant-Temperature Water & Oil Bath Circulator

Overview

The DC-15B Constant-Temperature Water & Oil Bath Circulator is a precision-engineered thermal management system designed for laboratory-scale temperature control of external equipment. Operating on the principle of forced liquid convection, it circulates thermally stable water or heat-transfer oil through an external loop via a built-in centrifugal pump, enabling accurate and uniform heat delivery to jacketed reactors, condensers, viscometers, or other process vessels requiring regulated thermal input. Unlike open-bath systems, the DC-15B features a sealed, insulated reservoir with integrated PID-controlled heating and high-stability temperature sensing—ensuring minimal thermal drift (< ±0.1 °C at steady state under load) and rapid thermal response. Its dual-fluid compatibility (water up to 100 °C; silicone or mineral oil up to 300 °C) allows flexible deployment across synthetic chemistry, polymer processing, material testing, and calibration workflows.

Key Features

• Stainless steel 304 tank (20 L capacity) with corrosion-resistant internal coating and reinforced insulation for thermal efficiency and long-term fluid integrity
• Externally recirculating design with adjustable flow rate (0–10 L/min), pressure-regulated outlet, and quick-connect fittings compatible with standard 1/2″–3/4″ tubing
• Digital PID temperature controller with 0.1 °C resolution, programmable ramp-soak profiles, and real-time deviation alarm (±2 °C threshold)
• 3 kW high-efficiency heating element with overtemperature cut-off (safety limit: 320 °C) and dry-run protection
• Integrated air-cooled condenser and low-noise circulation pump (≤58 dB(A) at 1 m), enabling continuous operation without auxiliary cooling
• Front-panel USB port and RS485 interface for remote monitoring and integration into lab automation systems (Modbus RTU protocol supported)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DC-15B supports a broad range of thermal fluids—including deionized water, ethylene glycol/water mixtures, and high-stability silicone oils (e.g., Dow Corning 200 Fluid series)—with viscosity tolerance up to 500 cSt at operating temperature. Its external circulation architecture eliminates direct sample immersion, preserving sample purity and enabling use with sealed or pressurized reactors. The unit complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory environments and meets CE marking requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EN 61326-1). For GxP-regulated labs, optional firmware enables audit-trail logging (user ID, setpoint changes, alarm events) compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated software platforms.

Software & Data Management

While the DC-15B operates autonomously via its embedded controller, its RS485 interface permits bidirectional communication with third-party SCADA or LIMS systems. LabVIEW™ drivers and Python-compatible Modbus libraries are available upon request. All temperature logs—including setpoint, actual bath temperature, flow rate, and heater duty cycle—are timestamped and exportable as CSV files via USB. Optional PC-based software (DC-Control Suite v2.1) provides graphical trend analysis, multi-unit synchronization, and automated report generation aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements.

Applications

• Providing precise thermal control to double-jacketed glass reactors during exothermic or endothermic synthesis
• Maintaining constant bath temperature for rotational viscometers (e.g., Brookfield, Anton Paar) and density meters
• Serving as a calibrated heat source for thermal validation studies (IQ/OQ/PQ) in pharmaceutical manufacturing support labs
• Stabilizing optical components or detectors in spectroscopic setups requiring thermal drift mitigation
• Supporting accelerated aging tests per ASTM D5721 and ISO 11357-3 protocols for polymer thermal stability assessment

FAQ

Can the DC-15B be used with both water and oil simultaneously?

No—fluid type must be selected prior to operation. Switching between water and oil requires full system drainage, cleaning, and verification of seal compatibility. Oil residues compromise water bath stability and vice versa.
Is external chiller integration possible for sub-ambient operation?

The DC-15B is a heating-only circulator. For combined heating/cooling, consider the companion model DC-15BC (with integrated compressor-based cooling module).
What maintenance intervals are recommended for sustained accuracy?

Inspect pump seals and fluid condition every 500 operational hours; calibrate temperature sensor annually using NIST-traceable reference thermometer (e.g., Fluke 1523).
Does the unit meet GLP data integrity requirements out-of-the-box?

Basic operation does not include electronic signature or audit trail. These capabilities require optional firmware activation and configuration per site-specific validation protocols.
Are replacement parts such as impellers or PID controllers available separately?

Yes—original OEM spare parts (pump assembly P/N: DC-PUMP-15B, controller board P/N: DC-CTRL-15B-V3) are stocked and shipped globally within 5 business days.