Huber CC-K6 Pilot ONE Heating and Cooling Circulating Bath

Overview

The Huber CC-K6 Pilot ONE is a high-precision, dual-function heating and cooling circulating bath engineered for demanding laboratory applications requiring stable, reproducible temperature control across an exceptionally wide operational range (−25 to +200 °C). Based on Huber’s proven thermodynamic architecture, the unit employs a closed-loop refrigeration system with environmentally compliant R290 refrigerant and a robust resistive heating circuit, enabling seamless transition between heating and cooling without thermal lag or overshoot. Its stainless-steel bath vessel—fully welded and electropolished—ensures chemical resistance, long-term integrity, and compatibility with water, silicone oils, glycol-water mixtures, and certified flammable liquids (Class FL, per DIN 12876). The integrated dual-pump design (separate pressure and suction circuits) delivers uniform thermal distribution within the bath and supports high-flow external circulation for jacketed reactors, viscometers, or calorimeters. Designed for GLP-compliant environments, the CC-K6 meets essential safety and traceability requirements including overtemperature cutoff, low-fluid-level shutdown, and IP20-rated electronics enclosure.

Key Features

• Wide temperature span: −25 to +200 °C with ±0.02 °C stability (measured at bath sensor, under static load)
• Pilot ONE E-grade controller: 5.7″ multi-touch interface with intuitive graphical navigation, customizable favorites menu, and real-time display of setpoint, actual bath temperature, external probe reading, pump status, and error logs
• Dual independent pump system: High-pressure circulation pump (27 L/min, 0.7 bar) and dedicated suction pump (22 L/min, 0.4 bar) minimize flow resistance and improve thermal response in external loops
• Flammable-liquid certified operation: Safety Class III / FL per DIN 12876—enabling use with ethanol, acetone, or other low-flashpoint media under controlled conditions
• Comprehensive connectivity: Native RS232, Ethernet (TCP/IP), USB Device (for firmware updates/log export), and USB Host (for keyboard or storage) support integration into LIMS or SCADA systems
• Traceable calibration: Factory-performed 5-point Pt100 sensor calibration with documented certificate; user-accessible offset adjustment
• Scheduled operation: Built-in calendar-based start/stop programming with date/time stamping for unattended overnight or weekend protocols

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CC-K6 accommodates diverse sample configurations via both internal immersion (direct placement in the 4.5 L stainless-steel bath) and external circulation (via M16×1 male threaded ports). It supports thermal conditioning of glassware, metal fixtures, polymer specimens, electronic components, and reaction vessels up to 10 L volume when paired with appropriate external jackets. All wetted parts are 316L stainless steel or PTFE-sealed, ensuring compatibility with pH-neutral aqueous solutions, organic solvents (e.g., toluene, THF), and heat-transfer oils. Regulatory alignment includes DIN 12876-1:2018 (safety classification for laboratory thermostats), IEC 61010-1:2010 (electrical safety), and EN 61326-1:2013 (EMC). While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, audit-trail functionality (timestamped parameter changes, event logs, user login history) can be enabled via optional software modules for GxP environments.

Software & Data Management

The Pilot ONE controller stores up to 100 hours of time-stamped temperature and status data internally. Export is supported via USB stick (CSV format) or Ethernet (Modbus TCP or proprietary Huber protocol). Optional Huber LabSoft software enables remote monitoring, multi-unit synchronization, automated report generation (PDF/Excel), and alarm forwarding via email or SNMP traps. All data exports include ISO 8601 timestamps, controller ID, and sensor metadata—facilitating compliance with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available). Firmware updates preserve user settings and calibration records, and version history is logged in the system event buffer.

Applications

• Material science: Thermal expansion coefficient measurement, polymer curing profile validation, and elastomer relaxation studies
• Pharmaceutical QC: Dissolution apparatus temperature verification (USP ), stability chamber qualification, and excipient thermal behavior screening
• Chemical engineering: Reaction calorimetry support, catalyst activity testing under controlled isothermal conditions
• Electronics reliability: PCB thermal cycling pre-conditioning, solder paste rheology testing, and battery cell thermal management validation
• Academic research: Teaching labs requiring safe, repeatable temperature demonstrations across cryogenic to near-autoclave ranges

FAQ

What external fluids are compatible with the CC-K6 bath?

Water, 50% aqueous glycol, silicone oils (e.g., DC200 series), and flammable solvents (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol) — provided they meet DIN 12876 Class FL specifications and viscosity remains below 500 mPa·s at operating temperature.
Can the CC-K6 maintain ±0.02 °C stability during external circulation?

Yes — stability specification applies under defined load conditions (≤2 m external tubing, ≤10 L external volume, ambient ≤25 °C); performance may vary with excessive thermal mass or insulation loss.
Is the Pilot ONE controller upgradeable to full GMP functionality?

The E-grade controller supports optional software licensing for electronic signatures, role-based access control, and 21 CFR Part 11 audit trails — subject to validation documentation and on-site configuration by Huber-certified engineers.
How often does the R290 refrigerant require servicing?

R290 is sealed for life under normal operation; no routine replenishment is required. Leak detection is integrated into startup diagnostics, and service alerts trigger only if pressure deviation exceeds ±5% of nominal charge.
Does the unit support external Pt100 feedback for cascade control?

Yes — the CC-K6 accepts a second Pt100 input (via rear-panel terminal block) for process temperature feedback, enabling master-slave control configurations where bath temperature is dynamically adjusted to maintain sample probe setpoint.