ChemTron STRIKE 100 Industrial Rotary Evaporator

Overview

The ChemTron STRIKE 100 Industrial Rotary Evaporator is a high-capacity, process-grade solvent removal system engineered for continuous or batch operation in regulated industrial environments. Based on the fundamental principle of reduced-pressure distillation—where lowering the system pressure decreases the boiling point of volatile solvents—the STRIKE 100 enables efficient separation of low-boiling components from thermally sensitive or high-boiling matrices. Designed and manufactured in Italy by JULABO-Chemtron, the system integrates precision thermal control, robust mechanical architecture, and intrinsic safety engineering to meet the operational demands of pharmaceutical manufacturing, fine chemical synthesis, botanical extraction, and petrochemical refining. Its core configuration supports either reflux or falling-film evaporation modes, accommodating diverse process kinetics and scalability requirements across pilot-scale and production-scale workflows.

Key Features

• Industrial-grade construction with all wetted parts fabricated from borosilicate glass (DIN ISO 3585) and PTFE—ensuring chemical compatibility with aggressive solvents, acids, and bases.
• Self-lubricating vacuum sealing system eliminates routine maintenance while maintaining stable vacuum integrity down to <5 mbar (absolute), critical for reproducible evaporation kinetics.
• Hydraulically actuated heating bath with fail-safe automatic descent triggered by power interruption, door opening, or temperature excursion beyond setpoint—complying with EN 61000-6-2/6-4 electromagnetic compatibility standards and functional safety principles per IEC 61508.
• Integrated mechanical overpressure protection via a spring-loaded brake disc that engages upon rapid pressure rise, preventing glassware rupture during sudden vapor release.
• PLC-based control architecture (Siemens S7-1200 series) with real-time monitoring of bath temperature, vapor temperature, rotational speed, and vacuum level—enabling closed-loop process optimization and audit-ready parameter logging.
• Dual display options: 7-inch full-color resistive touchscreen (STRIKE 100) or certified anti-reflective LCD panel (STRIKE 100 ATEX), both supporting multilingual UI and intuitive method navigation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The STRIKE 100 accommodates viscous, foaming, or particulate-laden feed streams through its configurable condenser geometry (reflux or falling-film) and adjustable rotation profile. Its 50 L and 100 L evaporation flasks—paired with 20 L dual-collection vessels—support scalable throughput without compromising thermal uniformity or vacuum stability. All configurations comply with ISO 14001 environmental management requirements for solvent recovery efficiency (>95% typical recovery rate for common organics such as ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate). The ATEX-certified variant (II 2G T3/T4, Ex db IIB T3/T4 Gb) conforms to Directive 2014/34/EU and is suitable for Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas where flammable vapors may be present during operation. Non-ATEX models meet CE marking requirements under Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU.

Software & Data Management

The STRIKE 100 supports bidirectional serial communication (RS-232/RS-485) for integration into centralized laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or distributed control systems (DCS). Raw sensor data—including actual vs. setpoint values for bath temperature, vapor temperature, rotation speed, and absolute pressure—are timestamped and exportable in CSV format. Up to 20 user-defined evaporation methods can be stored locally (excluding ATEX models due to intrinsic safety constraints), each defining ramp rates, hold times, vacuum profiles, and interlock conditions. All parameter changes, alarm events, and emergency shutdowns are recorded with ISO/IEC 17025-aligned traceability, including operator ID, timestamp, and contextual status flags—fully compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated third-party data acquisition software.

Applications

• Continuous solvent recovery in API manufacturing, reducing raw material costs and VOC emissions in compliance with EPA Method 25A and EU Solvent Emissions Directive (1999/13/EC).
• Concentration of heat-labile natural extracts (e.g., terpenes, alkaloids, polyphenols) under controlled sub-atmospheric conditions to preserve bioactivity.
• Removal of residual solvents from polymer intermediates prior to extrusion or pelletization—meeting ICH Q3C(R8) limits for Class 2 and Class 3 solvents.
• Distillative purification of specialty chemicals including catalysts, monomers, and chiral reagents where narrow boiling point differentials necessitate precise vacuum and temperature coordination.
• In-process drying of crystalline products following anti-solvent precipitation, minimizing amorphous content and improving filter cake consistency.

FAQ

What safety certifications does the STRIKE 100 ATEX model hold?
The STRIKE 100 ATEX complies with Directive 2014/34/EU and carries II 2G T3/T4 certification (Ex db IIB T3/T4 Gb), permitting use in gas group IIB atmospheres with maximum surface temperatures of 200 °C (T3) or 135 °C (T4).
Can the STRIKE 100 operate under GLP/GMP conditions?
Yes—its PLC-based architecture, audit trail functionality, parameter locking, and electronic signature support align with Annex 11 and ALCOA+ data integrity principles when deployed with validated software and procedural controls.
Is remote monitoring and control supported?
Yes—via standard RS-232/RS-485 interfaces, enabling integration with SCADA systems, programmable logic controllers, or custom Python-based monitoring dashboards.
What is the maximum allowable working pressure differential across the condenser?
The system is rated for continuous operation at ≤50 mbar (absolute) internal pressure; the mechanical brake disc activates at >150 mbar overpressure to prevent glass failure.
Does the STRIKE 100 support automated method execution with conditional logic?
Yes—through its embedded PLC, users can define cascaded actions (e.g., reduce rotation speed if vapor temperature exceeds threshold, initiate bath descent if vacuum drops below 10 mbar), subject to hardware interlock validation.