Heidolph Hei-VAP Ultimate Control Rotary Evaporator

Overview

The Heidolph Hei-VAP Ultimate Control is a high-precision, fully integrated rotary evaporator engineered for reproducible, automated solvent removal in research laboratories, quality control environments, and pilot-scale purification workflows. It operates on the fundamental principle of reduced-pressure distillation: by lowering the system pressure via an integrated vacuum controller and simultaneously rotating the sample flask to increase surface area and promote uniform thin-film evaporation, volatile solvents are efficiently separated from thermally sensitive compounds at significantly lower temperatures than atmospheric boiling points. Unlike conventional rotary evaporators relying on manual parameter coordination, the Hei-VAP Ultimate Control implements centralized digital process management—synchronizing vacuum level, bath temperature, rotation speed, and condenser cooling in real time. Its architecture adheres to Lab 4.0 interoperability standards (LAN, RS232, USB, microSD), enabling seamless integration into networked laboratory infrastructure and supporting audit-ready data capture for regulated environments.

Key Features

• 7-inch full-color graphical touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-based navigation and real-time dual-value display (setpoint vs. actual) for all critical parameters.
• Dynamic AUTOaccurate (DAA) distillation mode: automatically detects boiling point(s) of single or multi-component solvent mixtures by monitoring vapor temperature gradients relative to condenser temperature—enabling precise, adaptive vacuum control without prior knowledge of solvent composition.
• Motorized lift mechanism (optional) with programmable endpoint positioning; automatically retracts the evaporation flask from the heating bath upon cycle completion to prevent thermal degradation or bumping.
• Integrated Hei-CHILL cooling circulator control: direct digital regulation of coolant temperature ensures optimal condensation efficiency across varying solvent volatilities and ambient conditions.
• Dual independent control knobs for immediate, tactile adjustment of rotation speed and heating bath temperature—locked via software to prevent accidental modification during operation.
• IP67-rated cable interfaces and IP42-protected electronics ensure long-term reliability in chemically aggressive or humid lab environments.
• Safety-certified heating bath with PT1000 sensor feedback loop: automatic power cutoff if temperature exceeds setpoint by >5 °C; dry-run protection prevents heater damage during empty-bath operation.
• LED status ring provides visual feedback for active functions (e.g., rotation, heating, vacuum); pulsing amber light indicates residual heat (>50 °C) during standby or cooldown phases.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Hei-VAP Ultimate Control accommodates standard ISO-K 29/32 and ISO-K 45/50 ground-glass joints and supports evaporation flasks up to 5 L volume. Its modular design permits compatibility with optional XL condensers (2,200 cm² surface area), extended-height heating baths, and inert gas purging kits for oxygen-sensitive samples. All glass components feature factory-applied safety film to contain implosions, and optional transparent polycarbonate safety shields meet DIN EN 14175 requirements. The system complies with CE marking directives (2014/30/EU EMC, 2014/35/EU LVD), RoHS 2011/65/EU, and is manufactured under ISO 9001-certified quality management systems. Process logs—including timestamped parameter histories, DAA event markers, and user authentication records—are exportable via USB/microSD and support GLP/GMP documentation requirements. Optional IQ/OQ documentation packages are available for validation in pharmaceutical and biotech settings governed by FDA 21 CFR Part 11.

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware enables creation, storage, and cross-device synchronization of custom distillation protocols—including multi-ramp temperature profiles, staged vacuum sequences, and fraction-specific collection triggers. Users may build and name solvent-specific programs within an expandable database; these profiles can be exported to USB drives and imported onto other Hei-VAP Expert Control or Ultimate Control units. All operational data—including vacuum pressure (mbar), bath temperature (°C), rotation speed (rpm), vapor temperature (°C), and elapsed time—is logged at configurable intervals (1–60 sec) and retained in non-volatile memory. Export formats include CSV and PDF reports compatible with LIMS and ELN platforms. Remote monitoring and control are supported via Ethernet (TCP/IP) using Heidolph’s proprietary LabControl software or third-party SCADA systems compliant with Modbus TCP.

Applications

This instrument is routinely deployed in synthetic organic chemistry for post-reaction solvent removal without decomposition of labile intermediates; in natural product isolation for gentle concentration of ethanolic or ethyl acetate extracts; in polymer science for residual monomer recovery from viscous prepolymers; and in analytical sample preparation for matrix simplification prior to GC-MS or HPLC analysis. Its DAA functionality proves especially valuable in unknown mixture analysis, formulation development involving solvent blends (e.g., THF/hexane, DCM/methanol), and process optimization where empirical boiling point determination is impractical. The motorized lift and programmable hold steps further support unattended overnight operation in regulated QC labs performing batch release testing.

FAQ

Does the Hei-VAP Ultimate Control require an external vacuum pump?
Yes—it is designed to interface with oil-free or diaphragm vacuum pumps (recommended ultimate vacuum ≤1 mbar) via its integrated vacuum controller and AUTOaccurate probe.
Can the DAA mode identify more than one boiling point in a single run?
Yes—DAA dynamically tracks sequential vapor temperature plateaus corresponding to individual components in azeotropic or mixed-solvent systems, enabling automated multi-fraction collection.
Is the heating bath temperature calibrated traceable to national standards?
Factory calibration uses NIST-traceable PT1000 sensors; on-site recalibration and verification procedures are documented in the optional IQ/OQ package.
What is the maximum allowable working temperature of the heating bath?
The electronic control limits bath temperature to 180 °C; continuous operation above 150 °C requires silicone oil as heat transfer medium and appropriate flask clamping.
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption?
All active parameter logs and program states are preserved in EEPROM; the system resumes operation from last known state upon power restoration, with no loss of timestamped history.