Ortoalresa Consul 22 Benchtop High-Capacity Centrifuge

Overview

The Ortoalresa Consul 22 is a high-performance benchtop centrifuge engineered for demanding routine and research applications requiring large-volume processing without compromising precision or safety. Designed and manufactured in Spain, this instrument operates on the principle of sedimentation force generation via rotational acceleration—applying controlled centrifugal fields (RCF) to separate particles based on density, size, and shape within liquid suspensions. With a maximum capacity of 4 × 400 mL and an operational speed range up to 14,300 rpm (21,948 × g), the Consul 22 supports high-throughput workflows in clinical diagnostics, biopharmaceutical development, and academic laboratories where reproducible isolation of cells, organelles, viruses, and macromolecular complexes is essential. Its compact footprint (490 × 620 × 390 mm) enables integration into space-constrained environments while maintaining structural rigidity and thermal stability during extended runs.

Key Features

• TFT color touchscreen interface with visibility from ≥3 meters—displays real-time RPM, RCF, elapsed/run time, acceleration/deceleration profiles (PCBS), and unbalance location (ULS).
• Progressive control braking system (PCBS) with up to 175 programmable acceleration/deceleration ramps—minimizes post-centrifugation resuspension and preserves pellet integrity.
• Integrated unbalance location system (ULS) identifies the exact rotor bucket causing imbalance and triggers automatic shutdown—enhancing operational safety and rotor longevity.
• 40 programmable protocols stored in non-volatile memory, each protected by user-defined password; retains last-used parameters across power cycles.
• Brushless induction motor ensures maintenance-free operation, low acoustic emission (<60 dB[A]), and consistent torque delivery across speed ranges.
• Automatic lid locking mechanism with dual electromechanical interlocks, emergency manual release, drop protection, and lid-port calibration verification.
• Stainless steel centrifuge chamber (AISI 304) compatible with autoclaving (121°C, 2 bar); all rotors and adapters validated for repeated sterilization cycles.
• Forced-air cooling system mitigates temperature rise during prolonged high-speed operation; auto-power-off after configurable idle period (up to 8 hours).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Consul 22 accommodates diverse sample formats through interchangeable rotor configurations—including swing-out buckets (400 mL capacity per bucket), microplate carriers (80 mm height), and fixed-angle rotors optimized for microtubes and PCR strips. All rotors and adapters are automatically recognized by the onboard microprocessor, ensuring correct RCF calculation and preventing overspeed conditions. The system complies fully with IEC/EN safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards: EN 61010-1 (safety requirements for electrical equipment), EN 61010-2-020 (particular requirements for centrifuges), EN 61326-1 and -2-6 (EMC for laboratory use), and relevant EU directives including RoHS (2011/65/EU), WEEE (2012/19/EU), EMC (2014/30/EU), LVD (2014/35/EU), and IVDR (98/79/EC). While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant out-of-the-box, audit trails, electronic signatures, and data export capabilities support integration into GLP/GMP environments when deployed with validated software extensions.

Software & Data Management

Data handling is facilitated via USB export and optional PC connectivity (RS-232 or Ethernet interface). All run logs—including date/time stamp, rotor ID, speed, RCF, duration, ramp profiles, and error codes—are timestamped and exportable in CSV format for traceability and quality documentation. The system supports direct parameter entry in either RPM or RCF mode, with on-screen recalculations reflecting actual g-force values based on selected rotor geometry. Timer resolution is 1 second, with programmable durations spanning 1 minute to 99 hours. Memory retention includes final settings, enabling rapid re-execution of standardized protocols without reconfiguration.

Applications

The Consul 22 serves critical roles in blood banking (plasma and platelet separation), vaccine production (viral particle pelleting), cell culture harvesting (mammalian and microbial), nucleic acid purification workflows, and environmental microbiology (waterborne pathogen concentration). Its 4 × 400 mL capacity makes it especially suitable for batch processing of clinical specimens, fermentation broths, or clarified lysates prior to chromatographic or filtration steps. The combination of high RCF, precise temperature management, and rotor versatility supports both preparative and analytical-scale separations aligned with ASTM D4057 (standard practice for laboratory sampling of petroleum products) and ISO 15189 (medical laboratories—requirements for quality and competence) frameworks.

FAQ

What rotor types are compatible with the Consul 22?
Swing-out buckets (400 mL), microplate carriers (96-well, 80 mm height), and fixed-angle rotors for 0.2–50 mL tubes—including conical-bottom and PCR strip configurations.
Is the centrifuge suitable for biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) applications?
Yes—the sealed stainless-steel chamber, autoclavable rotors, and lid-locking system meet containment requirements for BSL-2 agents when used with appropriate biosafety-certified buckets and aerosol-tight tube caps.
Can RCF be set directly, or only via RPM input?
Both modes are supported; the display dynamically updates RCF based on rotor radius when RPM is entered, or recalculates required RPM when target RCF is specified.
Does the system provide audit trail functionality?
Run logs include full parameter history and timestamps; exportable records support internal QA review and external regulatory audits under GLP or ISO 17025 frameworks.
What is the warranty coverage for the Consul 22?
Standard 24-month parts-and-labor warranty applies; extended service plans including preventive maintenance and calibration certification are available upon request.