IKA RV 10 auto pro V-C Rotary Evaporator

Overview

The IKA RV 10 auto pro V-C is a high-precision, fully automated rotary evaporator engineered for reproducible solvent removal, concentration, and purification in research laboratories, QC environments, and pilot-scale development workflows. It operates on the principle of reduced-pressure distillation: by lowering system pressure via integrated vacuum control and applying controlled thermal energy to the sample bath, volatile solvents are efficiently vaporized, condensed on a large-surface-area condenser, and collected in a receiving flask. Its core architecture integrates three critical subsystems—motorized rotation with bidirectional capability, programmable heating with safety-limited temperature profiling, and closed-loop vacuum regulation—into a single, compact benchtop platform compliant with ISO/IEC 17025-aligned laboratory infrastructure requirements.

Key Features

• Integrated digital vacuum controller with real-time pressure feedback and automatic adjustment to maintain setpoint stability across solvent boiling point transitions
• TFT color touchscreen interface supporting multilingual operation (English, Chinese, German, French, Spanish) and intuitive graphical parameter visualization
• Triple-layer borosilicate glass condenser with 1500 cm² effective cooling surface area, designed to ASTM E2912-compliant thermal efficiency standards and rated for mechanical impact resistance per DIN ISO 3585
• Programmable distillation protocols: up to 10 user-defined steps with independent control over rotation speed, bath temperature, vacuum level, and duration per segment
• Patented quantitative distillation mode enabling endpoint detection based on real-time evaporation rate monitoring and solvent-specific vapor pressure modeling
• Motorized vertical lift with adjustable endpoint positioning, preventing flask collision during descent and ensuring repeatable immersion depth
• Heating bath with conical geometry optimized for rapid thermal equilibration; safety cutoff at user-configurable upper limit (50–190 °C) prevents dry-run conditions
• Bidirectional rotation (forward/reverse) with smooth acceleration/deceleration profiles to minimize emulsion formation and foaming in sensitive samples
• Comprehensive safety suite: power-fail motor retraction, lockable touchscreen interface, infrared remote control for bath temperature, and explosion-resistant glass components certified to DIN 7080

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RV 10 auto pro V-C accommodates standard 3 L evaporation flasks (ISO 2768-mK tolerance) and is compatible with common organic solvents including acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and toluene—each preloaded in its onboard solvent database (40 entries, expandable via USB). All wetted parts conform to USP Class VI biocompatibility requirements. The system supports GLP/GMP documentation workflows through audit-trail-capable firmware logging (timestamped parameter changes, error events, and operational cycles). Vacuum performance meets ISO 2533:2022 reference conditions for low-pressure measurement traceability, and electrical safety complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory equipment.

Software & Data Management

Control and data acquisition are enabled via IKA labworldsoft software (v4.2+), accessible through USB or RS232 serial interface. The software provides remote instrument configuration, real-time graphing of temperature/vacuum/rotation trends, CSV export of time-stamped process logs, and firmware update functionality. All parameter modifications are recorded with operator ID (if network-authenticated), session timestamp, and change delta—supporting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when deployed on validated IT infrastructure. Analog output (0–10 V) enables integration into centralized building management systems for environmental monitoring synchronization.

Applications

This system is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical API purification, natural product isolation (e.g., terpenes, alkaloids), polymer solution concentration, essential oil recovery, post-reaction workup in synthetic chemistry, and residual solvent analysis sample preparation. Its programmable multi-stage profile capability ensures consistent recovery yields across batch variations, while the quantitative distillation algorithm reduces manual intervention in method transfer between R&D and QC labs. The 1500 cm² condenser surface area sustains high throughput under demanding conditions—such as high-boiling-point solvents (e.g., DMSO, NMP) at sub-10 mbar operating pressures—without condensation overload or vapor bypass.

FAQ

Does the RV 10 auto pro V-C support validation protocols for regulated environments?
Yes—its firmware supports electronic signatures, audit trails, and configurable access levels when used with labworldsoft on a validated Windows OS platform meeting GAMP 5 guidelines.
What vacuum pump is recommended for optimal performance at 1 mbar?
The included Vacstar digital vacuum pump (variable-frequency drive) achieves ≤2 mbar; for sustained 1 mbar operation, pairing with an optional IKA RV 10-compatible diaphragm pump (e.g., IKA RV 10 Vac Vario) is advised.
Can the condenser be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath without compromising integrity?
Yes—the triple-layer condenser is constructed from annealed borosilicate 3.3 glass (DIN ISO 3585) and withstands standard ultrasonic cleaning cycles using neutral pH aqueous solutions.
Is the heating bath compatible with silicone oil and other high-temperature heat transfer media?
Yes—its conical design and PTFE-coated immersion probe ensure compatibility with oils up to 180 °C; maximum fill level must remain ≥2 cm below the rim to prevent overflow during rotation.
How is calibration traceability maintained for temperature and vacuum sensors?
Factory calibration certificates (NIST-traceable) are provided for both bath temperature sensor and piezoresistive vacuum transducer; field recalibration intervals are defined in the user manual per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.6.