Supelco 33316 21mm Microreaction Vial Heating Block for Constant-Temperature Incubation

Overview

The Supelco 33316 is a precision-engineered, anodized aluminum heating block designed specifically for uniform thermal control of 3–5 mL microreaction vials with a 21 mm outer diameter. It operates as a modular component within Supelco’s family of programmable dry-block thermostats—systems that rely on conductive heat transfer rather than air convection to achieve high spatial and temporal temperature stability. This design eliminates thermal gradients commonly observed in forced-air ovens or water baths, making it especially suitable for applications requiring strict adherence to defined thermal profiles over extended durations. The block integrates a dedicated thermometer well for direct verification of block surface temperature, supporting traceable calibration practices aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory quality requirements. Its operational range spans ambient to 150 °C, segmented into two overlapping zones (ambient–100 °C and 75–150 °C) to optimize heater duty cycle and long-term thermal consistency.

Key Features

• Anodized aluminum construction ensures rapid thermal equilibration, excellent corrosion resistance, and mechanical durability under repeated thermal cycling.
• ±0.1 °C temperature stability and uniformity at 37 °C—validated per ASTM E220-22 standard methodology for thermal calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Dual-range temperature control enables optimized power delivery: low-range mode minimizes overshoot during sensitive biological incubations; high-range mode maintains accuracy near upper thermal limits.
• Integrated thermometer well allows real-time validation using external calibrated probes—critical for GLP-compliant assay documentation and internal audit readiness.
• Compact footprint (31.5 × 20.3 × 8.9 cm) reduces benchtop occupancy while maintaining compatibility with standard Supelco heating bases equipped with digital PID controllers and RS-232/USB interfaces.
• Designed for interchangeability: mounts securely onto Supelco multi-block platforms (e.g., models 33300 series), enabling rapid reconfiguration between vial, microtube, PCR strip, and microplate formats without recalibration.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 21 mm bore accommodates standard 3–5 mL reaction vials—including Supelco-certified glass and polypropylene microvials—ensuring full wall contact for maximal conductive coupling. The block’s geometry conforms to ICH Q5C stability testing guidelines for container-closure integrity assessment under controlled thermal stress. All materials comply with USP for pharmaceutical-grade polymer contact surfaces where applicable, and the anodized finish meets RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU restrictions on hazardous substances. Units shipped from the U.S. manufacturing facility include CE marking for EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU compliance, facilitating integration into EU-based QC laboratories operating under Annex 11 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity frameworks.

Software & Data Management

When paired with Supelco’s optional digital thermostat controller (e.g., model 33305), the 33316 block supports time-stamped temperature logging at user-defined intervals (1 s to 60 min resolution). Raw data exports in CSV format are compatible with LIMS environments and electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) such as LabArchives and Benchling. Audit-trail functionality records operator ID, setpoint changes, calibration events, and system faults—meeting ALCOA+ principles for data reliability. Firmware updates are delivered via USB and validated against NIST-traceable reference standards prior to release.

Applications

• Enzyme kinetics studies requiring precise thermal activation at 37 °C or 65 °C with minimal inter-vial variance.
• Thermal denaturation profiling of nucleic acids and proteins using standardized 3–5 mL reaction volumes.
• Immunoassay incubation steps where antibody–antigen binding efficiency is temperature-dependent (e.g., ELISA plate pre-incubation in vial format).
• Determination of melting/boiling points for small-molecule reference standards per USP and EP 2.2.17.
• Accelerated stability testing of formulation intermediates under ICH Q1A(R2) conditions (e.g., 40 °C/75% RH simulation via dry-block thermal ramping).
• Pre-heating of reagents prior to HPLC or GC injection to minimize column thermal shock and improve retention time reproducibility.

FAQ

Is the 33316 block compatible with non-Supelco heating bases?
No—it is mechanically and thermally engineered for use only with Supelco’s proprietary multi-block thermostat platforms (e.g., 33300-series), which provide matched thermal interface geometry and PID tuning parameters.
Does the block include a built-in temperature sensor?
No. It features a dedicated 3 mm diameter thermometer well for insertion of external calibrated RTD or thermistor probes—supporting independent verification per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.5.2.
Can this block be used for sterilization cycles at 121 °C?
It is rated for continuous operation up to 150 °C, but autoclave validation (e.g., steam penetration, F₀ calculation) is not supported; dry-heat applications above 100 °C require additional risk assessment per ISO 13485 clause 7.5.11.
What is the recommended recalibration interval?
Annual calibration is advised for GxP environments; more frequent verification (e.g., before critical batches) is required per company SOPs aligned with ASTM E220-22 Annex A1.
Are replacement blocks supplied with calibration certificates?
Yes—each new 33316 block ships with a manufacturer’s certificate of conformance and a NIST-traceable calibration report at three points (37 °C, 75 °C, and 100 °C), valid for 12 months from date of shipment.