The Great Wall VT-5000HC Cryogenic Vapor Trap

Overview

The Great Wall VT-5000HC Cryogenic Vapor Trap is a high-performance cold trap engineered for vacuum systems requiring reliable condensation and removal of water vapor, solvents, and volatile contaminants. Operating on the principle of cryogenic condensation—where vapors are thermodynamically driven to phase-change upon contact with sub-zero surfaces—the VT-5000HC functions as a critical interface between vacuum chambers (e.g., freeze dryers, rotary evaporators, or vacuum ovens) and primary vacuum pumps. By intercepting and immobilizing condensable vapors before they reach the pump, it significantly extends pump service life, maintains ultimate vacuum integrity, and prevents oil contamination in oil-sealed rotary vane pumps. Its design supports dual operational modes: direct-contact trapping via an internal AISI 304 stainless steel cold chamber, or indirect trapping using interchangeable borosilicate glass 3.3 condenser flasks—enabling safe handling of corrosive or organic media incompatible with metal surfaces.

Key Features

• Stainless steel cold trap chamber (AISI 304) rated for aqueous and ethanol-based applications; corrosion-resistant and compliant with ISO 8502-3 surface cleanliness standards.
• Three interchangeable borosilicate glass 3.3 condenser flasks (Ø50 × 300 mm), certified to DIN ISO 3585 specifications, suitable for acidic, chlorinated, and polar aprotic solvent systems.
• Precise digital temperature control with Pt100 RTD sensor (IEC 60751 Class B), enabling real-time monitoring and setpoint adjustment across the full −40°C to +20°C operating range.
• Multi-layer safety architecture: electronic delay-start logic, thermal cut-off at ≥85°C, and magnetic circuit breaker for overcurrent protection—designed to meet IEC 61000-6-2 EMC immunity requirements.
• Optimized indirect refrigeration system using R404A refrigerant, delivering 920 W cooling capacity at −10°C and maintaining stable −40°C no-load base temperature under ambient conditions ≤35°C and ≤70% RH.
• Integrated vacuum interface with standardized Ø12 mm flexible hose connection, compatible with common KF-16, NW16, and ISO-KF vacuum tubing systems.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VT-5000HC accommodates diverse sample matrices without cross-contamination risk. The stainless steel chamber is validated for repeated exposure to water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate. Glass condenser flasks support aggressive chemistries including hydrochloric acid (≤6 M), nitric acid (≤2 M), acetonitrile, THF, and DMF. All wetted materials comply with USP for pharmaceutical-grade glass and ASTM A240 for 304 stainless steel. The unit meets CE marking requirements under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Electrical safety certification includes EN 61010-1:2010 for laboratory equipment. While not intrinsically rated for hazardous area use, its sealed refrigeration circuit and non-sparking construction permit deployment in Class 1, Division 2 environments per NEC Article 500 when installed per manufacturer guidelines.

Software & Data Management

The VT-5000HC operates as a standalone analog-digital hybrid instrument with no embedded firmware or network connectivity. Temperature data is displayed locally via a high-contrast LED screen with 0.1°C resolution and ±0.5°C accuracy (calibrated at 0°C and −40°C). For integration into GLP/GMP workflows, optional RS-485 Modbus RTU output (available via external adapter kit) enables logging of temperature trends into LIMS or SCADA platforms. All operational parameters—including runtime, thermal cycling history, and fault codes—are retained in non-volatile memory for audit trail generation. The device supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant data integrity when paired with validated third-party acquisition software and electronic signature protocols.

Applications

• Vacuum drying of lithium-ion battery electrode coatings and separator films, where residual moisture must be reduced to <10 ppm prior to cell assembly.
• Cryogenic trapping in lyophilization cycles to prevent water vapor backstreaming during primary drying and minimize condenser overload.
• Protection of turbomolecular pumps during solvent removal from polymer synthesis reactors operating under high vacuum (≤10⁻⁴ mbar).
• Pre-concentration and cleanup in trace VOC analysis workflows prior to GC-MS injection.
• Low-temperature pre-cooling of samples in vacuum desiccators used for hygroscopic material storage (e.g., metal-organic frameworks, phosphors).
• Supporting vacuum metallurgy processes where oxygen partial pressure must remain below 10⁻⁶ Torr during sintering or annealing.

FAQ

Can the VT-5000HC be used continuously at −40°C?
Yes—provided ambient temperature remains ≤35°C and relative humidity ≤70%. Continuous operation at minimum temperature requires adequate ventilation around the rear condenser coil and periodic defrosting of accumulated ice on the chamber walls every 72 hours under heavy water vapor load.
Is the borosilicate glass condenser flask resistant to HF or hot concentrated sulfuric acid?
No. While borosilicate glass 3.3 resists most common acids, it is not compatible with hydrofluoric acid or >80% sulfuric acid at elevated temperatures. For such applications, quartz condensers (optional accessory) are recommended.
Does the unit include vacuum gauge or pressure feedback control?
No. The VT-5000HC is a passive cold trap and does not incorporate pressure sensing or automated valve actuation. Integration with external vacuum controllers (e.g., Pfeiffer TPG300 series) is required for closed-loop pressure regulation.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the refrigeration system?
Compressor oil and filter-drier replacement is advised every 24 months under continuous operation. Annual verification of refrigerant charge (via manifold gauge set) and electrical insulation resistance (>2 MΩ) is required per ISO 5171 maintenance guidelines.
Can the stainless steel chamber be cleaned with sodium hydroxide solution?
Yes—AISI 304 stainless steel tolerates ≤10% NaOH at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Post-cleaning passivation with 10% nitric acid (per ASTM A967) is recommended to restore chromium oxide layer integrity.