Grant Optima™ TX150 Series Programmable Circulating Bath

Overview

The Grant Optima™ TX150 Series is a high-precision, programmable circulating bath engineered for demanding laboratory applications requiring stable, uniform, and traceable temperature control across an exceptionally wide operational range—from –50 °C to +150 °C. Unlike conventional water baths, the TX150 integrates a dual-heater architecture compliant with IEC 61000-3-3 for reduced harmonic distortion, coupled with an integrated circulation pump delivering up to 17 L/min at 270 mbar—enabling both internal thermal homogenization and external process cooling or heating via closed-loop recirculation. Its core temperature regulation relies on Intelligent Control Optimization™ (ICO), an adaptive PID algorithm that continuously adjusts gain parameters in response to load dynamics, ambient drift, and fluid thermal mass—ensuring rapid equilibration and long-term stability of ±0.01 °C (DIN 12876 at 70 °C) and uniformity of ±0.05 °C. Designed for integration into regulated environments, the TX150 supports external PT1000 probe input, user-accessible two-point calibration of both internal and external sensors, and configurable over-temperature cut-off with audible and visual alarm—meeting foundational requirements for GLP-compliant thermal validation workflows.

Key Features

• Wide temperature span: –50 °C to +150 °C (requires optional chiller for sub-ambient operation)
• High-resolution QVGA color TFT display with intuitive rotary encoder + dual-button interface
• 30-step programmable ramp-and-soak profiles stored in non-volatile memory
• Dual independent pump ports (6 mm and 11 mm barb fittings) supporting simultaneous internal mixing and external circulation
• Labwise™ software compatibility for remote PC control, real-time monitoring, data logging, and graphical trend analysis
• Comprehensive safety suite: float-switch low-level detection, over-temperature shutdown, relay-controlled alarm outputs, and fault-code diagnostics
• Full ISO/IEC 17025-aligned calibration support—including user-reconfigurable two-point sensor calibration and temperature compensation
• Multi-language UI (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian) and timer function with adjustable countdown (1 min to 99 h 59 min)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TX150 Series is compatible with Grant’s full line of ST (stainless steel) and P (polypropylene) immersion baths—from compact 5 L units to large-volume 38 L configurations—each engineered to DIN 12876 Class III specifications for thermal stability and uniformity. When paired with optional accessories—including insulated bath lids, polypropylene floating balls (to minimize evaporation above 60 °C), elevated sample racks (VR/QR series), and thermally optimized heat-exchange coils—the system maintains integrity across diverse sample formats: glass vials, reaction vessels, bioreactor jackets, and calorimetric cells. Regulatory compliance extends to electrical safety (EN 61010-1), electromagnetic compatibility (EN 61000-6-3), and thermal performance standards (DIN 12876). For FDA-regulated labs, Labwise™ software supports 21 CFR Part 11–compliant audit trails, electronic signatures, and secure data export—facilitating IQ/OQ/PQ documentation and routine instrument qualification.

Software & Data Management

Labwise™ is a validated Windows-based application enabling full bidirectional communication via USB or RS232. It provides real-time visualization of setpoint, actual temperature (internal and external probes), flow status, and alarm conditions through a customizable dashboard. All operational parameters—including program steps, dwell times, ramp rates, and sensor offsets—are editable and saved with time-stamped metadata. Logged datasets are exported in CSV or Excel-compatible formats for statistical process control (SPC), uncertainty budgeting, or integration into LIMS platforms. The software supports multi-device management, allowing synchronized control of multiple TX150 units within a single thermal validation protocol. Audit trail functionality records all user actions, parameter changes, and system events—retained for ≥12 months with tamper-proof timestamps—satisfying ALCOA+ data integrity principles.

Applications

The TX150 Series serves as a foundational thermal platform in pharmaceutical QC (e.g., dissolution testing per USP , viscosity profiling of injectables), materials science (polymer curing kinetics, phase-change characterization), analytical chemistry (HPLC column oven conditioning, GC injector block stabilization), and life sciences (enzyme assay incubation, cell culture media pre-warming, cryopreservation thawing protocols). Its ability to execute precise cooling/heating cycles—without manual intervention—makes it ideal for accelerated stability studies (ICH Q1A), thermal cycling of microfluidic devices, and calibration of temperature-sensitive sensors against NIST-traceable references. When interfaced with external chillers (e.g., C1G, C2G series), the system achieves stable sub-zero operation down to –15 °C while maintaining low environmental heat rejection—a critical advantage in shared lab spaces.

FAQ

What is the minimum temperature achievable without an external chiller?
The TX150 operates down to ambient temperature +5 °C (or +15 °C for S5 bath configurations) without auxiliary refrigeration. Sub-ambient operation requires integration with a Grant-certified immersion chiller or heat-exchange coil.
Can the TX150 control external equipment via relay outputs?
Yes—it includes one programmable SPDT relay output rated for 250 VAC/2 A, configurable for high/low temperature alarms, timer-triggered actions, or interlocked safety shutdowns.
Is Labwise™ software included with purchase?
Labwise™ is supplied free-of-charge with every TX150 unit and receives firmware-matched updates via Grant’s secure customer portal.
How is temperature uniformity verified across the bath volume?
DIN 12876 mandates measurement at nine defined spatial points (center + eight perimeter locations) at 70 °C; TX150 achieves ±0.05 °C uniformity under this standardized test protocol.
Does the TX150 meet requirements for GxP-regulated environments?
Yes—when used with Labwise™ in audit-trail mode and calibrated per documented SOPs, the system supports 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, and ISO/IEC 17025 compliance for thermal validation in pharmaceutical and clinical laboratories.