EYELA CA-1116A Circulating Chiller

Overview

The EYELA CA-1116A Circulating Chiller is a precision-engineered, air-cooled refrigeration system designed for stable, continuous temperature control of heat-generating laboratory instruments and process equipment. It operates on the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle using R407C—a zero-ozone-depletion-potential (zero-ODP), low-global-warming-potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant—ensuring compliance with evolving international environmental regulations including the Kigali Amendment and EU F-Gas Regulation. The unit delivers consistent cooling across a wide operational range of −20 to +30 °C (without auxiliary heating), making it suitable for applications requiring sub-ambient thermal management in analytical, synthetic, and materials science laboratories. Its closed-loop external circulation architecture enables reliable heat extraction from multiple connected devices—including rotary evaporators, vacuum pumps, electron microscope power supplies, and light sources—without direct refrigerant exposure to process fluids.

Key Features

• Robust stainless-steel reservoir (SUS304) with ~16.5 L capacity, resistant to corrosion from aqueous and common organic solvents.
• High-efficiency air-cooled condenser with 650 W input, eliminating need for facility chilled water or dedicated ventilation ducting.
• Intelligent ON/OFF compressor control with integrated self-diagnostic functions for thermostat, pump, and refrigeration circuit status monitoring.
• Dual-stage safety architecture: includes high-pressure cut-off switch, leakage/overcurrent circuit breaker, compressor protection timer, and thermal overload relays.
• Precision temperature regulation with ±2 °C stability and 1 °C digital LED readout, supporting reproducible experimental conditions under GLP and ISO/IEC 17025-aligned workflows.
• Configurable external flow performance: up to 12 L/min at 9.5 m head, enabling simultaneous cooling of two rotary evaporators and two water aspirators—or targeted thermal management of EM source modules.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CA-1116A is compatible with deionized water, ethylene glycol/water mixtures (up to 30% v/v), and other non-aggressive aqueous-organic solutions commonly used in rotary evaporation and vacuum filtration. Its SUS304 wetted parts ensure long-term integrity when circulating solvent-laden condensate streams. The unit conforms to IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and meets CE marking requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive 2014/30/EU) and low-voltage safety (LVD Directive 2014/35/EU). While not certified for GMP production environments per se, its diagnostic logging, stable setpoint control, and mechanical redundancy support audit-ready operation in regulated research settings aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity expectations when integrated with validated lab information systems.

Software & Data Management

The CA-1116A operates as a standalone hardware-controlled chiller with no embedded software or network interface. All operational parameters—including setpoint, real-time bath temperature, and fault codes—are accessible via front-panel LED display and tactile keypad. No firmware updates, remote access, or data export capabilities are provided. For laboratories requiring electronic recordkeeping, integration is achieved externally via analog (0–10 V or 4–20 mA) temperature output signals (optional accessory) or discrete relay status outputs, enabling connection to SCADA, LIMS, or PLC-based monitoring platforms compliant with ASTM E2500 and Annex 11 principles.

Applications

• Thermal stabilization of rotary evaporator condensers during solvent recovery (e.g., acetone, ethanol, dichloromethane).
• Cooling of water-jet vacuum pumps and membrane vacuum systems to maintain consistent suction pressure and prevent vapor lock.
• Active temperature control of electron microscope filament power supplies and xenon/halogen lamp housings to minimize thermal drift in imaging resolution.
• Support of exothermic reaction monitoring in calorimetry or flow chemistry setups where precise coolant inlet temperature is critical.
• General-purpose benchtop cold sink for chromatography detectors, spectrophotometer Peltier elements, and laser diode mounts.

FAQ

Does the CA-1116A support heating functionality?
No—the CA-1116A is a cooling-only chiller. Its specified temperature range of −20 to +30 °C assumes ambient heat rejection only; no integrated heater is present.
Can it be used with flammable organic solvents directly in the reservoir?
No—only water, water/glycol mixtures, or other non-flammable, non-reactive heat-transfer fluids should be used. Direct circulation of low-flashpoint solvents poses fire and material compatibility risks.
Is R407C serviceable by standard HVAC technicians?
Yes—R407C is a widely supported zeotropic HFC blend compatible with standard refrigeration service tools and gauges; however, refrigerant recovery and recharge must follow local EPA Section 608 or equivalent regulatory protocols.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Annual inspection of condenser coil cleanliness, refrigerant charge verification, and electrical safety testing is advised. Pump impeller and seal inspection is recommended every 24 months under continuous operation.
Does the unit include insulation or noise-dampening features?
The reservoir is uninsulated; ambient heat ingress is managed via compressor duty cycling. The unit operates at ≤65 dB(A) at 1 m distance—typical for air-cooled chillers—and requires placement in well-ventilated, non-acoustically sensitive areas.