Innoteg Vap Smart Rotary Evaporator

Overview

The Innoteg Vap Smart Rotary Evaporator is an engineered solution for efficient, reproducible solvent removal and sample concentration in research, quality control, and process development laboratories. Based on the fundamental principle of reduced-pressure distillation—where lowering system pressure decreases the boiling point of solvents—the Vap Smart enables gentle yet rapid evaporation of heat-sensitive compounds. Its design integrates a precisely controlled heating bath, variable-speed motor-driven rotation, and a high-efficiency vertical condenser with triple-coil geometry to maximize vapor contact time and condensate recovery. Unlike basic rotary evaporators, the Vap Smart features bidirectional rotation, programmable safety protocols, and motorized vertical lift—enhancing operational consistency across repetitive workflows such as preparative chromatography fraction concentration, natural product isolation, polymer synthesis workup, and analytical sample preparation prior to GC, HPLC, or LC-MS analysis.

Key Features

• Motorized vertical lift with 140 mm travel range, enabling precise positioning of the evaporation flask relative to the heating bath and condenser
• Reversible rotation (clockwise and counterclockwise), improving mixing uniformity and reducing crust formation during drying of viscous or particulate-containing samples
• Dual-use heating bath (water or oil) with temperature range from ambient to 180 °C and ±1 °C control accuracy—validated for stable thermal performance under load
• Triple-path vertical condenser with 1500 cm² effective cooling surface area, optimized for high latent heat transfer and minimal vapor bypass
• Three configurable safety operating modes—including overtemperature cutoff, timed operation, and auto-lift activation upon power interruption—to support GLP-compliant documentation practices
• Front-panel key lock function prevents inadvertent parameter changes during unattended runs
• Integrated timer for scheduled start/stop cycles, supporting overnight or multi-step evaporation protocols

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Vap Smart accommodates standard ground-glass jointed flasks (typically 1 L, 2 L, and 4 L volumes) and is compatible with a wide range of organic solvents—including dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and toluene—as well as aqueous and semi-polar mixtures. Its robust stainless-steel and borosilicate glass construction meets ISO 9001 manufacturing standards. While the unit itself does not include an integrated vacuum source, it is designed for seamless integration with digitally controlled vacuum systems (e.g., Innoteg VACSTAR digital pump) compliant with ISO 8573-1 for clean, oil-free aspiration. When paired with appropriate accessories—including secondary condensers and cold traps—the system supports compliance with USP , ASTM E2655, and ICH Q5C guidelines for residual solvent analysis and biopharmaceutical intermediate processing.

Software & Data Management

The Vap Smart operates via an embedded microcontroller interface with no external PC dependency; however, its parameter settings—including rotation speed, bath temperature, timer duration, and safety mode selection—are fully recordable via manual log sheets or external laboratory information management systems (LIMS). For audit-ready environments, users may integrate the instrument into validated workflows using optional digital vacuum controllers with 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures and event logging. The auto-lift-on-failure function generates a mechanical event trace that can be correlated with facility power monitoring systems, fulfilling basic GMP requirement for equipment fault response documentation.

Applications

• Concentration of crude extracts in natural product chemistry and phytochemical screening
• Removal of volatile reaction solvents following Grignard, Suzuki, or esterification reactions
• Preparative-scale solvent exchange in polymer synthesis and nanomaterial formulation
• Lyophilization pre-concentration steps for protein purification and peptide synthesis
• Residual solvent determination sample prep per ICH Q3C and pharmacopeial monographs
• High-throughput evaporation in QC labs performing dissolution testing or stability-indicating assays

FAQ

Does the Vap Smart include a built-in vacuum pump?
No—the Vap Smart requires an external vacuum source. It is designed for compatibility with Innoteg VACSTAR digital vacuum pumps or equivalent oil-free, chemically resistant systems.
What is the maximum recommended flask size?
The system is optimized for 4 L round-bottom flasks, though smaller volumes (1 L and 2 L) are routinely used without adjustment.
Can the heating bath accommodate both water and silicone oil?
Yes—the bath chamber and temperature sensor are rated for dual-media use up to 180 °C, with thermal inertia characteristics validated for both water (≤100 °C) and high-boiling-point oils.
Is the condenser cooled by circulating coolant or ambient air?
The vertical condenser requires external coolant circulation (e.g., via Innoteg TCS-3 recirculating chiller); it is not passively air-cooled.
How is temperature calibration verified?
Users may perform in-situ verification using a NIST-traceable PT100 probe immersed in the bath medium; factory calibration certificates are provided with each unit.