Coolium HX-012 Integrated Circulating Chiller

Overview

The Coolium HX-012 is an integrated circulating chiller engineered for precise temperature control in laboratory environments where active refrigeration is not required—operating exclusively in heating and thermostatic maintenance modes from ambient +5 °C up to 95 °C. Unlike dual-mode chillers, the HX-012 employs a dedicated resistive heating system coupled with high-resolution PID temperature regulation to achieve exceptional thermal stability (±0.02 °C) across its full operating range. Its design centers on fluidic uniformity and thermal homogeneity: the seamless, one-piece stainless-steel bath tank—fabricated without welds or seams—minimizes contamination risk and facilitates cleaning under GLP-compliant workflows. Internal impeller-driven circulation ensures laminar yet thorough bath agitation, eliminating thermal stratification and enabling accurate, reproducible temperature delivery to both immersed samples and externally connected instrumentation.

Key Features

• One-piece electropolished 304 stainless-steel bath tank with radius-corner geometry for mechanical integrity and ease of decontamination
• High-stability PID temperature controller with 0.01 °C display resolution and real-time deviation monitoring
• Integrated circulation pump delivering adjustable flow (5–10 L/min) at a constant pressure of 0.25 bar—optimized for low-backpressure applications including viscometers, spectrophotometer jackets, and reactor cooling loops
• Front-access bath opening (150 × 300 mm) accommodating multiple sample vessels or auxiliary probes; depth of 150 mm supports standard immersion configurations
• Modular expansion capability: optional external tap-water cooling coil or add-on immersion refrigeration unit enables hybrid thermal management without replacing core hardware
• Compact footprint (365 × 340 × 340 mm) and 20 kg mass facilitate benchtop integration in space-constrained QC labs and research stations

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HX-012 is routinely deployed in applications requiring ISO/IEC 17025-aligned thermal conditioning, including viscosity calibration per ASTM D445 and D2161, dissolution testing per USP , and reference-standard equilibration in metrology labs. Its non-refrigerated architecture eliminates compressor-related vibration and oil carryover—critical for optical instrumentation and microgravimetric systems. The bath’s chemical resistance supports aqueous, glycol-water, and low-concentration ethanol-based heat-transfer fluids. All electrical components comply with IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment; CE marking is applied per Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD). Data logging and parameter recall functions support audit-ready documentation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated third-party software.

Software & Data Management

While the HX-012 operates via intuitive front-panel controls, it features an RS-232 interface (optional USB-to-serial adapter) for remote parameter setting, real-time temperature streaming, and event-triggered data capture. Compatible with LabVIEW™, MATLAB®, and Python-based automation frameworks, the device transmits timestamped temperature values at user-defined intervals (1–60 s), enabling synchronization with analytical instrument acquisition cycles. Firmware supports password-protected configuration lockdown—a requirement for GMP environments—and stores up to 10 user-defined temperature profiles with ramp/soak sequencing. Audit trails (start time, setpoint, actual temp, duration) are exportable as CSV for inclusion in electronic lab notebooks (ELN) or LIMS databases.

Applications

• Viscometer temperature control: Direct bath immersion or closed-loop circulation to rotational and capillary viscometers (e.g., Brookfield, Anton Paar, Cannon-Fenske), meeting ASTM D445 repeatability requirements
• Dissolution apparatus jacketing: Maintaining 37.0 ± 0.5 °C water baths for USP Apparatus I/II validation and routine release testing
• Calibration of temperature-sensitive sensors: Providing stable thermal references for RTD, thermistor, and infrared thermometer verification
• Bioreactor and incubator pre-conditioning: Stabilizing media or buffer solutions prior to inoculation or assay setup
• Light-scattering and UV-Vis spectroscopy: Eliminating thermal drift in cuvette holders and flow cells during kinetic measurements
• Material testing: Conditioning polymer melts, adhesives, and coatings per ISO 294-4 and ASTM D341 for rheological consistency evaluation

FAQ

Does the HX-012 provide active refrigeration?
No—the HX-012 is a heating-only circulating thermostat. It maintains temperatures from ambient +5 °C to 95 °C using resistive heating and precision PID control. Refrigeration requires optional external accessories.
Can it be used with a rotational viscometer requiring external circulation?
Yes—its integrated pump delivers 5–10 L/min at 0.25 bar, compatible with standard viscometer recirculation manifolds and thermal jackets. The 150 × 300 mm opening allows direct probe insertion for simultaneous bath and sensor calibration.
Is the stainless-steel bath suitable for corrosive media?
The 304 SS tank resists dilute acids, alkalis, and organic solvents typical in pharmaceutical and biochemical workflows. For aggressive media (e.g., concentrated HCl or halogenated solvents), compatibility verification per ASTM G31 is recommended.
What is the maximum allowable backpressure for external loop operation?
The pump is rated for continuous operation at ≤0.25 bar static head. Systems with filtration, long tubing (>3 m), or restrictive fittings may reduce effective flow; consult hydraulic resistance curves before integration.
How is traceability ensured for calibration records?
The device logs all setpoint changes, actual temperature readings, and runtime events with timestamps. When interfaced with compliant ELN/LIMS software, these records satisfy ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate) for regulatory audits.