Herolab HiCen SR Floor-standing High-Capacity Refrigerated Centrifuge

Overview

The Herolab HiCen SR is a floor-standing, high-capacity refrigerated centrifuge engineered for demanding industrial-scale and translational research applications requiring reproducible, high-force separation under precisely controlled thermal conditions. Designed around the principles of rotor dynamics and thermally stable rotor acceleration/deceleration, the HiCen SR employs a maintenance-free high-speed induction motor with auto-centering capability and a flexible shaft transmission system—ensuring mechanical stability at rotational speeds up to 21,000 rpm and generating a maximum relative centrifugal force (RCF) of 50,743 × g with fixed-angle rotors. Its CFC-free refrigeration system maintains temperatures from −20 °C to +40 °C across the entire operational range, with continuous cooling retention after run completion—a critical feature for preserving sample integrity in biopharmaceutical processing, cell therapy manufacturing, and large-volume plasma fractionation workflows.

Key Features

• Maintenance-free high-speed induction motor with auto-centering design ensures long-term rotational stability and eliminates routine bearing servicing.
• Flexible shaft transmission system dynamically compensates for minor imbalances during acceleration, enhancing rotor lifetime and reducing vibration transmission to the chassis.
• Dynamic reverse magnetic resistance braking enables rapid, controllable deceleration without mechanical wear or heat generation in the brake assembly.
• Automatic rotor recognition and real-time imbalance detection provide hardware-level safety compliance; system halts immediately upon detection of mass asymmetry exceeding defined thresholds.
• Constant-temperature hold function sustains setpoint temperature for up to 30 minutes post-centrifugation, supporting downstream handling of temperature-sensitive biomaterials.
• Three-phase 400 V power architecture delivers consistent torque delivery under variable load conditions—essential for high-inertia rotor operation at full capacity (4 × 1000 mL).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HiCen SR accommodates a total of 14 interchangeable rotors—including 12 fixed-angle and 2 swing-bucket configurations—enabling method flexibility across diverse sample formats: clinical blood bags (up to 500 mL per bucket), bioreactor harvests (1 L bottles), fermentation supernatants, and large-volume lysates. Fixed-angle rotors support maximum throughput at high RCF, while swing-bucket rotors facilitate gentle pelleting of fragile cells or organelles. All rotors are certified to ISO 13485:2016 for medical device manufacturing environments and conform to IEC 61010-2-020 (safety requirements for laboratory centrifuges). The optional nitrogen purge module meets ATEX Zone 1/21 requirements for operation with volatile solvents (e.g., chloroform, acetone, ethanol), satisfying OSHA 1910.106 and EU Directive 2014/34/EU.

Software & Data Management

The HiCen SR operates via an integrated touch interface with audit-trail-enabled parameter logging. All run parameters—including speed, RCF, time, temperature, rotor ID, and energy consumption—are timestamped and stored locally with non-volatile memory retention (>10,000 cycles). Optional Ethernet connectivity supports integration into LIMS environments compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, enabling electronic signatures, role-based access control (via password-protected user tiers), and export of CSV-formatted run reports traceable to individual operators. Calibration records, maintenance logs, and rotor usage history are retained separately and exportable for GLP/GMP documentation packages.

Applications

• Large-scale purification of monoclonal antibodies and viral vectors (e.g., AAV, lentivirus) from stirred-tank bioreactors (up to 4 L batch volume).
• Clinical-scale platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) preparation under ISO 22679-compliant protocols.
• Downstream processing of microbial fermentation broths in API manufacturing (ICH Q5A/Q5D alignment).
• High-yield isolation of exosomes and extracellular vesicles from conditioned media using density-gradient-compatible fixed-angle rotors.
• Preparative ultracentrifugation of lipoprotein fractions (HDL/LDL/VLDL) in cardiovascular research cohorts.
• Environmental microbiology: sedimentation of activated sludge and wastewater effluents for metagenomic analysis.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable imbalance tolerance before automatic shutdown?
The system triggers immediate stoppage when detected radial mass deviation exceeds ±2.5 g per tube position at full speed—verified per DIN EN 61000-6-4 EMC testing.
Does the HiCen SR support validation protocols for GMP facilities?
Yes—factory-installed IQ/OQ documentation packages are available, including temperature mapping (−20 °C to +40 °C), RCF verification per ISO 21501-4, and rotor fatigue certification per ASTM F2177.
Can the nitrogen purge option be retrofitted post-purchase?
Nitrogen purging requires factory-integrated pressure sensors, gas inlet manifolds, and interlocked door seals; it must be specified at time of order and cannot be added in-field.
Is remote monitoring supported through third-party SCADA systems?
Via optional Modbus TCP gateway module, real-time status (speed, temp, door state, error codes) and historical run data can be exported to Siemens Desigo, Honeywell Experion, or Emerson DeltaV platforms.
What is the recommended service interval for compressor maintenance?
With CFC-free refrigerant and sealed compressor design, scheduled maintenance is required every 24 months or 3,000 operating hours—whichever occurs first—per ISO 13485 preventive maintenance plan.