Julabo FL2506 Circulating Chiller

Overview

The Julabo FL2506 Circulating Chiller is an industrial-grade, air-cooled refrigeration system engineered for precise, continuous temperature control in demanding laboratory and pilot-scale process applications. Based on vapor-compression refrigeration with a single-stage R404A compressor, the FL2506 delivers stable thermal management across a wide operating range of –15 °C to +40 °C. Its 2500 W nominal cooling capacity at 20 °C—scalable under varying load and ambient conditions—enables reliable heat extraction from high-heat-load instruments including NMR spectrometers, laser systems, rotary evaporators, plasma sources, and analytical detectors. Designed to replace wasteful tap-water cooling, the FL2506 reduces water consumption while maintaining strict thermal stability (±0.5 °C) and supporting uninterrupted 24/7 operation. Its robust steel enclosure, integrated vibration-dampened compressor mount, and IP20-rated electrical cabinet meet IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 immunity and emission requirements for shared laboratory infrastructure.

Key Features

• High-capacity, low-noise air-cooled refrigeration system with 2500 W cooling output at 20 °C ambient
• Precision temperature control with ±0.5 °C stability and 0.1 °C digital resolution via LED display
• High-flow, pressure-variable circulation pump delivering up to 60 L/min at adjustable pressures from 0.5 to 6.0 bar
• Large 24–30 L reservoir with level indicator and top-fill access for rapid fluid replenishment
• Wide return-fluid tolerance: accepts inlet fluid temperatures up to 80 °C without performance degradation
• Chemically compatible wetted materials (stainless steel reservoir, EPDM seals, brass fittings) for use with water, 30–50% ethylene glycol/water mixtures, and JULABO-certified Thermal Bath Fluids
• Optional digital communication interfaces—including RS232 and Profibus—for integration into centralized monitoring or SCADA environments
• Compliant with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and F-Gas Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014; refrigerant charge documented per EN 378-1

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FL2506 supports closed-loop circulation of non-corrosive, low-viscosity heat-transfer fluids meeting ISO 8502-1 cleanliness standards. It is validated for use with deionized water (conductivity <5 µS/cm), aqueous glycol solutions (up to 50% v/v), and JULABO Thermal G series fluids—each selected to minimize scaling, microbial growth, and oxidation under continuous recirculation. The unit complies with EN 61000-3-2 (harmonic current emissions), EN 61000-3-3 (voltage fluctuations), and EN 61326-1 (EMC for laboratory equipment). For regulated environments, its optional RS232 interface supports ASCII command protocol logging, enabling audit-ready temperature and operational data capture aligned with GLP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 principles when paired with compliant software.

Software & Data Management

While the FL2506 operates autonomously via front-panel controls, its optional RS232 interface permits remote parameter configuration, real-time temperature and status monitoring, and event-triggered data logging (e.g., alarm activation, compressor cycle count, reservoir level alerts). When integrated with Julabo’s LabView-compatible drivers or third-party SCADA platforms (e.g., Ignition, Siemens Desigo), the chiller contributes traceable thermal metadata to electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) and quality management systems (QMS). All firmware updates are delivered via secure USB or serial download following IEC 62443-3-3 SL2 cybersecurity guidelines. No cloud connectivity or proprietary cloud services are embedded—ensuring full data sovereignty for institutional users.

Applications

• Continuous cooling of high-power lasers (CO₂, solid-state, diode-pumped) requiring stable junction temperature control
• Thermal regulation of NMR and MRI magnet cryocooler pre-cooling stages
• Condenser temperature control in rotary evaporation and short-path distillation systems
• Stabilization of X-ray diffractometers, SEM/TEM cold stages, and electron beam lithography tools
• Process cooling in pharmaceutical QC labs for dissolution testers, HPLC column ovens, and viscometers
• Support of semiconductor fabrication metrology tools where ambient-temperature drift must remain below ±0.3 °C/hour

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable inlet fluid temperature?
The FL2506 accepts return fluid temperatures up to 80 °C without derating or safety shutdown—enabling integration with exothermic reactors or high-temperature jacketed vessels.
Can the FL2506 be used with pure ethylene glycol?
No. Pure glycol exceeds viscosity limits and impairs heat transfer efficiency. Use only aqueous mixtures (typically 30–50% v/v) or JULABO Thermal G fluids, which are formulated for optimal thermal conductivity and pump compatibility.
Is remote monitoring possible without optional interfaces?
Basic status indicators (power, alarm, pump run) are visible on the front panel, but real-time digital telemetry requires RS232 or Profibus hardware installation.
Does the unit include leak detection or automatic shutdown on low fluid level?
Yes—the integrated float-level sensor triggers audible/visual alarms and halts compressor operation if reservoir volume falls below 15 L to prevent dry-run damage.
How often does the R404A refrigerant require servicing?
Under normal operation and proper installation (vibration isolation, adequate ventilation), the sealed refrigeration circuit requires no scheduled refrigerant replenishment over its rated service life of ≥15,000 compressor hours.