Julabo HT60-M2 Closed-Loop High-Temperature Dynamic Temperature Control System

Overview

The Julabo HT60-M2 is a closed-loop, high-temperature dynamic temperature control system engineered for precise, stable, and reproducible thermal management in demanding laboratory and pilot-scale applications. Operating exclusively in heating mode, it delivers continuous temperature control from +70 °C up to +400 °C—without requiring bath fluid replacement across its entire operational range. Its fully sealed circulation architecture eliminates volatile emissions and oxidation of heat transfer fluids (e.g., silicone oils or aromatic synthetic media), significantly extending fluid service life and ensuring operator safety in prolonged high-temperature operation. The system employs a robust, multi-zone resistive heating structure optimized to suppress thermal shock and acoustic artifacts (e.g., “popping” or “cracking” sounds) commonly observed during rapid ramping above 300 °C. With a rated heating power of 7.0 kW and integrated high-efficiency pump (14–18 L/min at 0.8–1.2 bar), the HT60-M2 achieves rapid thermal response—for example, reaching 350 °C from ambient in approximately 10 minutes—making it suitable for time-sensitive reaction profiling, catalyst activation studies, and polymer processing validation.

Key Features

• Fully sealed, inert circulation loop preventing fluid degradation, vapor loss, and odor generation at temperatures up to 400 °C
• Intelligent ICC (Intelligent Current Control) temperature regulation algorithm delivering long-term stability of ±0.01 °C (at optimal setpoints) to ±0.1 °C across full range
• Dual-display interface (LED + LCD) with intuitive program editing for multi-step temperature ramps, hold times, and rate limiting
• Integrated cooling unit (C.U.) enabling dynamic temperature modulation—supporting controlled exotherm management and extended low-end usability down to +40 °C when paired with tap water
• Modular design: separate circulator and controller units facilitate installation flexibility, service access, and electromagnetic noise isolation
• Comprehensive real-time monitoring: on-screen display of bath level, pump pressure, heating power %, actual vs. setpoint deviation, and coolant flow status
• Industrial-grade communication suite including RS232/RS485 serial ports, 0–10 V analog inputs/outputs, dedicated emergency stop input, alarm output relay, and external HT controller interface

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HT60-M2 is compatible with standard high-temperature heat transfer fluids certified for use up to 400 °C (e.g., DIN 51519-compliant silicone oils, polyphenyl ether-based fluids). Its sealed construction meets IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity) and IEC 61000-6-4 (emission) requirements for laboratory electromagnetic environments. While not intrinsically safe, the system complies with EN 61010-1:2019 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment. Its programmable logic and data logging capabilities support alignment with GLP and GMP documentation practices when integrated into validated workflows. Though not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, audit trails, user access control, and electronic signature readiness can be implemented via third-party LIMS or SCADA integration using its analog and digital I/O interfaces.

Software & Data Management

The HT60-M2 operates autonomously via its embedded controller but supports external supervision through ASCII protocol over RS232/RS485. Julabo’s optional LabView-compatible drivers and OPC UA gateway modules enable seamless integration into centralized process control systems. All setpoints, actual temperatures, pump status, and alarm events are timestamped and exportable as CSV files via USB or serial connection. The controller retains up to 10 user-defined programs with up to 32 segments each—including ramp rates, dwell times, and conditional jumps—facilitating ISO 17025-compliant method execution. No proprietary cloud platform is required; raw data streams are accessible for traceability in internal QA/QC databases or ELN environments.

Applications

• High-temperature catalytic reaction screening and kinetic studies (e.g., Fischer–Tropsch, hydrocracking, dehydrogenation)
• Thermal aging and stability testing of advanced polymers, composites, and battery electrolytes per ASTM D3045 or ISO 2578
• Calibration and verification of infrared pyrometers, thermocouples, and RTDs above 300 °C
• Controlled heating of jacketed reactors, autoclaves, and custom-built test chambers in R&D and scale-up labs
• Material testing under sustained thermal load per ASTM E228 or ISO 11359 (thermomechanical analysis support)
• Preconditioning of optical components and semiconductor substrates prior to deposition or bonding

FAQ

What heat transfer fluids are recommended for continuous operation at 400 °C?
Silicone oils meeting DIN 51519 Type K or polyphenyl ether (PPE) fluids with documented thermal stability up to 400 °C are approved. Julabo provides a validated fluid compatibility list upon request.
Can the HT60-M2 be used for cooling-only or refrigerated applications?
No—it is a heating-only system. The integrated cooling unit (C.U.) serves only as an auxiliary heat sink to accelerate cooldown or stabilize exothermic processes; it does not provide sub-ambient capability.
Is remote monitoring and control possible without additional hardware?
Yes—via RS232/RS485 using standard terminal emulation or custom scripts. For Ethernet or wireless connectivity, a protocol converter (e.g., RS485-to-Ethernet bridge) is required.
How often does the bath fluid require replacement under continuous 350 °C operation?
With proper sealing and absence of oxygen ingress, validated fluids typically maintain specification for ≥12 months of continuous use; periodic viscosity and acid number testing per ASTM D92/D97 is recommended.
Does the system support NIST-traceable temperature calibration?
Yes—the controller accepts external reference sensor inputs (Pt100 or Pt1000) for in-situ verification. Julabo offers factory calibration certificates with uncertainties traceable to PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt).