Julabo FP50-ME Universal Heating and Cooling Circulating Bath

Overview

The Julabo FP50-ME Universal Heating and Cooling Circulating Bath is a high-precision, dual-mode temperature control system engineered for demanding laboratory applications requiring stable, programmable thermal management across an exceptionally wide operating range—from −50 °C to +200 °C. Based on Julabo’s proven cascade refrigeration architecture and integrated resistive heating, the FP50-ME delivers rapid thermal response and exceptional long-term stability (±0.01 °C) within its 8 L stainless-steel bath reservoir. Its design adheres to DIN 12876-1 Class III (FL) safety standards for flammable liquid handling, making it suitable for use with silicone oils, glycols, and other thermally stable heat-transfer media. Unlike basic immersion baths, the FP50-ME functions as both an internal constant-temperature environment and an external temperature controller—circulating conditioned fluid through reactors, viscometers, refractometers, spectrophotometers, calorimeters, and other analytical instrumentation via its adjustable SmartPump system.

Key Features

• VFD white-backlit display showing real-time bath temperature, setpoint, external sensor reading (if connected), pump status, and alarm conditions simultaneously
• Water-resistant membrane keyboard with tactile feedback for secure parameter entry under lab conditions
• PID3 advanced control algorithm with cascade refrigeration logic, enabling precise tracking across the full temperature span without overshoot or drift
• ATC3 three-point temperature calibration routine—performed in situ using certified PT100 probes—to maintain traceable accuracy per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements
• Low-level detection circuit with audible/visual alert and automatic heater/compressor shutdown to prevent dry-run damage
• Dedicated external PT100 input port (DIN 43760 compliant) for direct measurement and closed-loop control of remote process temperatures
• SmartPump technology: automatically modulates motor torque and flow output in response to changes in fluid viscosity or backpressure—critical when switching between water and high-viscosity silicone oils
• Adjustable overtemperature cutoff knob—mechanically independent of software—for fail-safe thermal protection meeting IEC 61000-6-2 EMC and IEC 61010-1 safety directives
• RS232 serial interface supporting SCPI command protocol; optional Profibus DP-V1 module available for integration into PLC-controlled environments
• Built-in 1×10 step temperature program scheduler for unattended ramp-hold-cool cycles—compatible with GLP-compliant audit trail generation when paired with Julabo’s LabSoft software

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FP50-ME accommodates a broad spectrum of heat-transfer fluids—including deionized water, aqueous glycol mixtures, and synthetic silicone oils (e.g., DC200 series)—enabling operation up to +200 °C without degradation. Its M10×1 internal-thread pump ports accept standard 8 mm and 12 mm ID flexible tubing (supplied), while the front-mounted drain valve facilitates complete fluid exchange per maintenance SOPs. The unit complies with DIN 12876-1 Class III (FL) for use with flammable liquids, CE-marked per Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, and conforms to electromagnetic compatibility standards EN 61326-1. Refrigerant R404A is charged and sealed per EN 378-2, with full documentation provided for F-Gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 reporting.

Software & Data Management

When connected via RS232, the FP50-ME supports bidirectional communication with Julabo’s LabSoft PC software (Windows-based), enabling remote configuration, real-time data logging at user-defined intervals (down to 1 s), and export to CSV or Excel formats. LabSoft generates time-stamped, operator-identified records compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements—including electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based access control—making it suitable for regulated QC/QA laboratories operating under GMP or ISO 17025 frameworks. Optional Profibus integration allows seamless incorporation into Siemens S7 or Rockwell ControlLogix systems for centralized process monitoring.

Applications

• Temperature control of jacketed glass reactors (1–5 L scale) during exothermic/endothermic synthesis
• Stabilization of optical path components in UV-Vis and FTIR spectrometers to minimize thermal drift in absorbance baselines
• Calibration of reference thermometers and RTDs against NIST-traceable standards
• Dynamic viscosity measurements using rotational rheometers requiring sub-0.02 °C bath stability
• Accelerated stability testing of pharmaceutical formulations per ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines
• Thermal conditioning of chromatography columns and detectors in HPLC/UHPLC systems
• Material testing per ASTM D341 (viscosity–temperature charts) and ASTM D1550 (dielectric fluid cooling)

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable fluid viscosity for continuous operation?
The SmartPump system maintains rated flow (11–16 L/min) up to 500 cSt at 25 °C; operation beyond this requires reduced setpoint ramp rates and verification of pressure drop across external loops.
Can the FP50-ME be used with flammable solvents such as acetone or ethanol?
No—DIN 12876-1 Class III (FL) certification applies only to approved heat-transfer fluids (e.g., silicone oils, polyalkylene glycols); flammable organic solvents pose explosion hazards and void warranty.
Is third-party calibration support available?
Yes—Julabo-certified service centers provide accredited calibration (ISO/IEC 17025) with uncertainty budgets traceable to national metrology institutes; certificate includes as-found/as-left data and drift analysis.
How is refrigerant leakage monitored during operation?
The system continuously monitors compressor discharge pressure and evaporator superheat; sustained deviation triggers a maintenance alert—not a safety shutdown—as R404A is non-toxic but requires certified recovery per EU F-Gas regulations.
Does the RS232 interface support Modbus RTU protocol?
No—the native protocol is Julabo’s ASCII-based SCPI subset; Modbus conversion requires an external protocol gateway (e.g., HMS Anybus) configured in pass-through mode.