BUCHI F-105 Circulating Chiller

Overview

The BUCHI F-105 Circulating Chiller is an integrated, water-cooled refrigeration system engineered for precise thermal management in demanding laboratory applications—particularly rotary evaporation, vacuum distillation, and condenser cooling. Designed and manufactured by BUCHI AG in Switzerland, the F-105 operates on a closed-loop thermodynamic cycle using environmentally compliant refrigerant R-134a (or equivalent low-GWP alternative per regional regulations), delivering stable cooling across a wide operational range of –10 to 25 °C. Its architecture integrates a hermetically sealed compressor, high-efficiency plate heat exchanger, and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel reservoir to ensure long-term reliability under continuous duty. Unlike conventional chillers relying solely on ambient air dissipation, the F-105’s water-cooled condenser enables consistent performance independent of lab ambient temperature fluctuations—critical for reproducible evaporation kinetics and solvent recovery efficiency.

Key Features

• Integrated design with built-in circulation pump, reservoir, and control electronics—no external components required for standard operation.
• Energy-optimized refrigeration circuit reducing power consumption by up to 75% compared to legacy chiller systems operating under comparable load conditions.
• Real-time communication interface (RS-232 or optional Ethernet) enabling bidirectional data exchange with BUCHI rotary evaporators (e.g., R-300, R-100) and vacuum controllers (V-800 series) for coordinated process control.
• Intelligent temperature regulation with PID-based feedback loop ensuring ±1 °C stability over full load range; verified per ISO/IEC 17025-compliant calibration protocols.
• Stainless-steel 3 L reservoir with level sensor and overflow protection; compatible with deionized water, 30% ethylene glycol/water mixtures, and other non-corrosive heat transfer fluids.
• Low-noise operation (<55 dB(A) at 1 m), suitable for shared laboratory environments requiring acoustic compliance per DIN 45635-16.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The F-105 is not a sample-contacting instrument; it serves as a thermal utility platform supporting external equipment requiring controlled coolant supply. It complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and meets CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. Its control firmware supports audit-trail-capable logging when integrated into GLP/GMP workflows via BUCHI LabX software (optional). While not directly subject to FDA 21 CFR Part 11, its digital interface architecture supports electronic signature and data integrity configurations when deployed within validated systems.

Software & Data Management

The F-105 supports standalone operation via front-panel keypad and LCD display, or networked control through BUCHI LabX software. LabX provides centralized monitoring of chiller status—including real-time temperature, flow rate, pressure, and compressor runtime—alongside automated event logging, alarm history, and customizable notification thresholds. All logged data are stored in encrypted SQLite databases with timestamped entries, supporting traceability requirements for ISO 17025-accredited laboratories. Export options include CSV and PDF reports compatible with LIMS integration. Firmware updates are delivered via secure HTTPS channel and require cryptographic signature verification.

Applications

• Primary cooling source for BUCHI rotary evaporators during solvent removal, especially for heat-sensitive compounds requiring sub-ambient condensation temperatures.
• Thermal stabilization of cold traps, vacuum pumps, and reflux condensers in multi-step synthesis setups.
• Supporting parallel evaporation systems (e.g., Syncore Polyvap) where synchronized temperature control across multiple units improves inter-batch reproducibility.
• Reducing overall laboratory HVAC load by minimizing waste heat generation—documented reduction in room-level thermal emission supports LEED-certified facility compliance.
• Enabling extended unattended operation during overnight or weekend distillations due to robust dry-run protection and leak-detection algorithms.

FAQ

Can the F-105 be used with non-BUCHI evaporators?
Yes—the unit provides standardized 1/4″ BSP inlet/outlet ports and delivers coolant at 0.6 bar pressure and 2.5 L/min flow, compatible with most third-party rotary evaporators and condensers meeting DIN 12878 or ISO 8573-1 Class 4 fluid interface specifications.
Is glycol mixture mandatory for sub-zero operation?
For sustained operation below 0 °C, a minimum 30% v/v aqueous ethylene glycol solution is recommended to prevent freezing and maintain viscosity within pump tolerance limits; pure water is acceptable only within 5–25 °C range.
Does the F-105 support remote shutdown via LabX during vacuum failure?
Yes—when paired with a BUCHI V-800 vacuum controller and configured in LabX, the chiller automatically reduces cooling output or initiates safe shutdown upon detection of vacuum loss exceeding user-defined thresholds.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Annual inspection of refrigerant charge, condenser cleanliness, and pump impeller integrity is advised; reservoir fluid should be replaced every 6 months under continuous use or after contamination events.
Is the reservoir volume sufficient for large-scale evaporation?
The 3 L capacity is optimized for single-station rotary evaporation (up to 5 L flask); for multi-unit or high-throughput applications, BUCHI recommends the F-205 (10 L) or F-305 (20 L) models with enhanced flow dynamics and dual-pump redundancy.