IKA HB 10 Heating Bath

Overview

The IKA HB 10 Heating Bath is a precision-engineered universal thermal bath designed for reliable, safe, and reproducible temperature control in laboratory applications involving water, silicone oil, or other compatible heat-transfer media. Based on resistive heating and microcontroller-regulated feedback control, the HB 10 operates via a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heating element embedded within a stainless steel 1.4404 bath chamber. Its thermally optimized geometry—specifically engineered for a 3 L working volume—ensures rapid thermal equilibration and minimal energy loss during extended operation. The device complies with DIN 12877 Class II safety requirements for laboratory heating equipment and meets IP21 ingress protection standards per DIN EN 60529, ensuring operational integrity under typical ambient lab conditions (5–40 °C, ≤80 % relative humidity). Unlike open-heating plates or non-contained systems, the HB 10 provides fully enclosed, uniform thermal distribution—critical for applications requiring strict thermal stability, such as solvent evaporation, reaction heating, or sample conditioning prior to chromatographic or spectroscopic analysis.

Key Features

• Integrated dry-run protection circuit automatically deactivates heating if liquid level falls below 50 mm—preventing heater damage and eliminating fire risk during unattended operation.
• Dual-stage safety temperature control: fixed cut-off at 180 °C plus user-adjustable limit (50–190 °C), both independently monitored by redundant thermal sensors.
• Ergonomically positioned lateral carrying handles—constructed from thermally insulated polymer—enable secure, burn-free transport even at maximum operating temperature.
• Microcontroller-based PID temperature regulation delivers ±1 K accuracy across the full range (ambient to 180 °C) and maintains ±1 K stability in 3 L water at 90 °C; ±2 K in 3 L silicone oil (50 mPa·s) at 150 °C.
• One-touch lock function prevents inadvertent parameter changes during active use—essential in shared-lab environments or QA/QC workflows where protocol integrity is mandatory.
• Bath geometry precisely matches the footprint and immersion depth of standard IKA rotary evaporator flasks (e.g., RV 10, RV 8), minimizing thermal lag and maximizing heat transfer efficiency.
• Constructed entirely from recyclable materials including food-grade stainless steel 1.4404 (EN 10088-1), supporting sustainable procurement policies without compromising chemical resistance or mechanical durability.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HB 10 accommodates a wide range of sample vessels—including round-bottom flasks (up to 5 L), jacketed reactors, and immersion probes—provided external dimensions fit within the 295 × 190 mm bath opening. Its stainless steel 1.4404 chamber resists corrosion from aqueous solutions, alcohols, esters, and common silicone oils (e.g., DC200 series). It is not intended for halogenated solvents or strong oxidizers without supplemental containment. The unit conforms to DIN 12877 Class II for laboratory heating devices, satisfies essential requirements of the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, and carries CE marking. While it lacks analog output or digital communication interfaces (RS232/USB), its passive thermal architecture ensures electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in sensitive instrumentation zones—making it suitable for integration near HPLC systems, mass spectrometers, or NMR sample prep stations.

Software & Data Management

The HB 10 operates as a standalone analog-controlled instrument with no embedded software, cloud connectivity, or data logging capability. All parameters—including setpoint, safety limits, and lock status—are managed locally via a tactile keypad and backlit LCD display. This design prioritizes operational robustness, eliminates firmware update dependencies, and ensures uninterrupted performance in regulated environments where software validation (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11 or ISO/IEC 17025) would otherwise impose validation overhead. For labs requiring audit trails, external temperature loggers (e.g., calibrated PT100-based data acquisition units compliant with GLP) may be deployed alongside the bath to record time-stamped thermal profiles—fully traceable and exportable in CSV or PDF format.

Applications

• Rotary evaporation support: primary heating source for IKA RV-series evaporators, delivering consistent bath-to-flask thermal coupling for efficient low-boiling-point solvent removal.
• Kjeldahl digestion pre-heating and reflux maintenance in AOAC and ISO 5983-compliant nitrogen analysis workflows.
• Controlled thermal activation of catalysts or polymerization initiators in synthetic chemistry protocols.
• Stability testing of pharmaceutical formulations per ICH Q1A(R3), where precise, long-duration temperature exposure (e.g., 40 °C/75 % RH accelerated conditions simulated via controlled bath + humidity chamber coordination) is required.
• Calibration bath for thermometer and RTD verification against reference standards traceable to NIST or PTB.
• Pre-warming of viscometer baths, density meters, or refractometer sample cells to minimize measurement drift.

FAQ

Is the HB 10 compatible with non-IKA rotary evaporators?
Yes—provided the flask’s base diameter and immersion depth align with the bath’s 295 × 190 mm aperture and 134 mm internal height. Users should verify thermal mass compatibility to avoid excessive ramp times.
Can the HB 10 be used with aggressive solvents like chloroform or nitric acid?
No. The stainless steel 1.4404 chamber is not resistant to halogenated hydrocarbons or strong mineral acids. Use only with water, glycerol, silicone oils, or aliphatic/aromatic hydrocarbons confirmed compatible per IKA’s chemical resistance chart.
Does the unit support external temperature probe feedback for cascade control?
No. The HB 10 relies solely on integrated Pt100 sensor feedback. It does not accept external probe inputs or support master-slave configurations.
What is the expected service life under continuous operation?
With proper maintenance—including periodic descaling (for water use) and avoidance of thermal shock—the heating element and controller are rated for ≥20,000 hours of operation, consistent with IKA’s industrial-grade component sourcing.
Is calibration documentation provided with delivery?
The HB 10 ships with a factory-verified conformity statement referencing EN 61000-6-2/-6-3 and DIN 12877. Full metrological calibration certificates (e.g., DAkkS-accredited) are available as optional add-ons upon request.