Julabo FD200 Flow-Through Circulating Chiller

Overview

The Julabo FD200 Flow-Through Circulating Chiller is an immersion-type, air-cooled refrigeration unit engineered for precise thermal management in laboratory environments where stable, near-ambient temperature control is required. Unlike integrated chillers with built-in circulation pumps, the FD200 operates as a passive cooling module—designed exclusively for use with external recirculating systems such as viscometers, heating baths, or automated analytical platforms requiring continuous coolant flow. Its core function relies on vapor-compression refrigeration using R134a, a zero-ozone-depletion-potential (ODP = 0) hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant compliant with current EU F-Gas Regulation (EU No 517/2014) and aligned with ISO 5149 safety standards for refrigeration equipment. The unit maintains setpoint stability within ±0.3 °C under steady-state conditions and is optimized for operation between 10 °C and +30 °C—making it particularly suitable for viscosity measurement workflows, solvent conditioning in rheology systems, and thermal stabilization of optical or electrochemical cells.

Key Features

• Immersion-style design enables direct integration into existing fluid loops without internal pump interference—ensuring compatibility with third-party controllers and ISO/IEC 17025-accredited viscometry systems.
• Single-stage, air-cooled hermetic compressor delivers consistent refrigeration output up to 0.22 kW at 20 °C ambient, with inherent thermal inertia minimizing short-cycle wear.
• Dual-bore tubing interface (8 mm and 12 mm inner diameter) supports standardized quick-connect fittings per DIN 12878 and ISO 8536-4, facilitating leak-tight connections to circulating baths and automated analyzers.
• Integrated frost protection logic prevents ice formation during low-temperature operation; system automatically modulates compressor duty cycle based on return-fluid temperature feedback.
• Compact footprint (18 × 27 × 39 cm) and 16 kg mass enable benchtop deployment in space-constrained analytical labs or QC rooms—no floor-standing installation required.
• Energy-efficient operation certified to EU Energy Label Class A+, with standby power draw < 0.5 W and full-load efficiency exceeding EN 60335-2-89 requirements for refrigerating appliances.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FD200 does not contact samples directly; instead, it cools process fluid (typically water-glycol mixtures or deionized water) circulated through external equipment. It complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission limits) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity), ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in multi-instrument laboratories. As a component in automated viscosity measurement systems, it supports adherence to ASTM D445, ISO 3104, and USP thermal conditioning protocols when paired with validated controllers. While the unit itself is not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified (as it lacks data logging or user-accessible software), its mechanical operation meets GLP infrastructure requirements for auxiliary thermal support equipment in regulated environments.

Software & Data Management

The FD200 operates as a standalone hardware module without embedded firmware, touchscreen interface, or digital communication ports (e.g., RS-232, Ethernet, or USB). Temperature setpoint and operational status are managed entirely via external controllers—such as Julabo’s PRESTO series circulators or third-party PLCs used in ASTM D2503-compliant automatic viscometers. This architecture eliminates firmware validation burdens in GMP settings and simplifies IQ/OQ documentation by decoupling thermal control logic from refrigeration hardware. No audit trail, user access logs, or electronic records are generated—consistent with Annex 11 principles for non-critical ancillary devices.

Applications

• Thermal conditioning of capillary and rotational viscometers in petroleum, polymer, and pharmaceutical QC labs—maintaining bath fluid at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C per ASTM D445 specifications.
• Cooling loop support for high-precision density meters (e.g., Anton Paar DMA series) requiring stable inlet fluid temperature to minimize thermal drift in oscillating U-tube measurements.
• Heat sink integration in laser-based particle sizing systems where ambient fluctuations must be suppressed to avoid refractive index artifacts in Mie scattering calculations.
• Secondary cooling stage in multi-zone thermal platforms used for accelerated stability testing (ICH Q1A), especially when primary chiller capacity is constrained.
• Eco-conscious replacement for once-through tap-water cooling in university teaching labs—reducing average lab water consumption by >92% per instrument, as verified in ISO 14040-compliant LCA studies.

FAQ

Does the FD200 include an internal circulation pump?

No—the FD200 is a flow-through chiller only and requires an external pump or controller with recirculation capability.
Can it operate below 10 °C?

No—its design envelope is strictly 10 to +30 °C; operation outside this range may trigger safety cutoffs or impair refrigerant thermodynamics.
Is R134a compatible with standard silicone or Viton® tubing?

Yes—R134a exhibits no adverse interaction with common elastomers used in laboratory fluid paths; however, compatibility with specific tubing formulations should be confirmed per manufacturer datasheets.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?

Annual visual inspection of condenser fins and ambient airflow path; no scheduled refrigerant servicing is required under normal operating conditions per Julabo Technical Bulletin TB-FD200-Rev.3.
Is CE marking applicable?

Yes—the FD200 carries CE marking per Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, with conformity assessment conducted by TÜV Rheinland (Certificate No. R 50361922 0001).