IKA RV10 auto pro V Rotary Evaporator
| Brand | IKA |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer Type | Manufacturer |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | RV 10 auto pro V |
| Capacity | 3 L |
| Ultimate Vacuum | 2 mbar (with integrated Vacstar vacuum pump) |
| Rotation Speed | 5–300 rpm |
| Temperature Control Range | Ambient to 180 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±1 K |
| Condenser Surface Area | 1500 cm² |
| Motor Lift Stroke | 140 mm |
| Power Input | 100 W (3.3 W standby) |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 500 × 430 × 410 mm |
| Weight | 18.6 kg |
| Ambient Operating Conditions | 5–40 °C, ≤80% RH |
| Protection Class | IP20 |
| Interfaces | RS232, USB, Analog Output |
| Compliance | DIN EN 60529, CE |
Overview
The IKA RV10 auto pro V is a high-performance, fully automated rotary evaporator engineered for precision solvent removal, concentration, and purification in research laboratories, quality control environments, and pilot-scale development workflows. Based on the fundamental principle of reduced-pressure distillation—where lowering system pressure decreases the boiling point of solvents—the RV10 auto pro V integrates advanced process control with robust mechanical design to ensure reproducible, operator-safe, and method-driven evaporation. Its core architecture features a motorized vertical lift system, a triple-layer condenser delivering 1500 cm² effective cooling surface, and an integrated Vacstar digital vacuum pump capable of reaching 2 mbar ultimate vacuum. Unlike conventional rotary evaporators relying on manual vacuum adjustment or external controllers, the RV10 auto pro V embeds real-time vacuum regulation, automatic boiling point recognition, and programmable distillation sequences—enabling consistent performance across diverse solvent systems without iterative manual optimization.
Key Features
- Integrated digital vacuum control with Vacstar pump (2 mbar ultimate vacuum), enabling precise, repeatable pressure management during distillation
- TFT color touchscreen interface with multilingual support (English, Chinese, and others), providing intuitive visualization of all operational parameters including real-time vacuum, bath temperature, rotation speed, and lift position
- Programmable multi-step distillation: users define up to 10 sequential segments with independent setpoints for vacuum, temperature, rotation speed, and time—ideal for complex mixtures or heat-sensitive compounds
- Triple-layer condenser with 1500 cm² effective surface area, significantly enhancing condensation efficiency compared to standard 500 cm² units and minimizing solvent carryover
- Motorized lift with adjustable endpoint positioning (140 mm stroke), preventing collision between flask and condenser; includes lockout function and emergency motor retraction upon power loss
- Heating bath with conical geometry and adjustable safety limit (50–190 °C), reducing thermal inertia and accelerating equilibration while eliminating dry-run risk via dual temperature cutoff logic
- Rotation control with bidirectional capability, smooth ramp-up (≤100 rpm), and ±1 rpm accuracy below 100 rpm / ±1% above 100 rpm—ensuring stable film formation and uniform evaporation
- Dual communication interfaces (RS232 and USB) for integration with IKA labworldsoft software, supporting remote operation, firmware updates, audit-trail logging, and GLP-compliant data export
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The RV10 auto pro V accommodates standard 3 L round-bottom flasks (ISO 2977-1 compliant) and supports a wide range of organic solvents—including acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and toluene—via its built-in solvent database (40 preloaded entries, expandable). All glass components meet DIN ISO 3585 specifications for borosilicate 3.3 glass and feature anti-explosion contouring per DIN EN 15193. The system complies with CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Its IP20 enclosure rating ensures safe operation in standard laboratory environments (IEC 60529). For regulated environments, the device supports 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic records when used with validated labworldsoft configurations, including user authentication, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails.
Software & Data Management
Control and documentation are streamlined through IKA labworldsoft—a Windows-based application certified for GxP-aligned workflows. The software enables full remote operation (including infrared heating bath control), real-time parameter logging at user-defined intervals, and export of timestamped CSV or PDF reports. Firmware updates are performed over USB or RS232, with version rollback capability and checksum verification. All critical events—including vacuum deviation >5%, temperature overshoot, lift timeout, or power interruption—are recorded with timestamps and severity classification. Audit trail functionality meets ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available), facilitating internal QA reviews and regulatory inspections.
Applications
The RV10 auto pro V is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical R&D for API purification and residual solvent analysis sample prep; in academic chemistry labs for natural product isolation and reaction workup; in food science for flavor concentrate recovery; and in polymer research for monomer removal prior to characterization. Its programmable distillation profiles support gradient evaporation protocols required for fractionated solvent removal from ternary mixtures. The high-temperature bath (up to 180 °C) and vacuum stability make it suitable for high-boiling-point solvents such as NMP, DMF, and glycerol derivatives—provided appropriate cold trap and condenser coolant selection (e.g., dry ice/acetone or recirculating chiller at –20 °C).
FAQ
What is the maximum recommended flask size for the RV10 auto pro V?
The system is optimized for 3 L round-bottom flasks; larger vessels may compromise rotational stability and condenser efficiency.
Does the RV10 auto pro V support external chiller integration?
Yes—via standard 10 mm hose barbs compatible with most recirculating chillers (recommended coolant temperature: –20 °C to +5 °C).
Can distillation programs be exported and shared between instruments?
Yes—labworldsoft allows saving, loading, and transferring .rvp program files across RV10 auto pro V units within the same network.
Is the heating bath compatible with oil or silicone fluid media?
Yes—the conical bath accepts standard heat transfer fluids; maximum fill level must not exceed the marked line to ensure sensor accuracy and thermal cutoff reliability.
How does the automatic boiling point recognition function operate?
It analyzes real-time vacuum and temperature feedback to detect inflection points in vapor pressure curves, dynamically adjusting vacuum setpoints to maintain optimal distillation rate without bumping.

