Titan HRC-20K Plus Benchtop High-Speed Refrigerated Centrifuge
| Brand | Titan |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer | Titan Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd. |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop Refrigerated Centrifuge |
| Speed Range | 200–20,000 rpm |
| Max RCF | 27,820 × g |
| Max Capacity | 4 × 100 mL (angle rotor) |
| Temperature Range | –20 °C to +40 °C |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 485 × 584 × 345 mm |
| Power Supply | 230 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 15 A |
Overview
The Titan HRC-20K Plus is a high-performance benchtop refrigerated centrifuge engineered for precision separation of biological, clinical, and chemical samples under controlled thermal conditions. Utilizing brushless frequency-controlled motor technology and a microprocessor-driven closed-loop refrigeration system, it maintains temperature stability within ±1 °C across the full operating range (–20 °C to +40 °C), critical for preserving thermolabile macromolecules such as nucleic acids, enzymes, and membrane vesicles. Its rotor dynamics follow ISO 15195-compliant acceleration/deceleration profiles, ensuring reproducible sedimentation kinetics and minimizing sample heating due to air friction. Designed for routine use in core facilities, QC labs, and academic research environments, the HRC-20K Plus delivers reliable 27,820 × g force at 20,000 rpm—sufficient for pelleting mammalian cell lysates, isolating subcellular organelles, and clarifying high-viscosity fermentation broths.
Key Features
- Refrigerated operation with independent compressor-based cooling system, achieving –20 °C in ≤15 minutes from ambient (25 °C)
- High-efficiency brushless DC motor with real-time speed feedback and automatic imbalance compensation (up to 5 g mass differential per bucket)
- Three-stage rotor recognition: mechanical keying, RFID tag verification, and software-matched rotor ID to prevent overspeed or mismatched configuration
- Touchscreen interface with multi-language support (English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese), password-protected user profiles, and audit trail logging
- Acoustic-dampened aluminum housing with vibration-absorbing feet and dynamic balancing certification per ISO 21500
- Automatic lid lock with dual-sensor interlock (mechanical + optical) compliant with IEC 61010-2-020 safety standards
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HRC-20K Plus supports standard 100 mL conical tubes (e.g., Falcon 352070), 50 mL polypropylene centrifuge tubes, and 15 mL conical tubes in its included 4-place fixed-angle rotor (Titan Part No. RFA-4×100). Optional rotors include swing-bucket configurations for 4 × 50 mL and 6 × 15 mL formats, all certified to ISO 15195 Annex B for rotational integrity. All rotors are manufactured from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, anodized to Class II per MIL-A-8625F, and validated for ≥10,000 operational cycles. The instrument meets CE marking requirements under Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD), and complies with GLP/GMP documentation standards via optional 21 CFR Part 11–enabled firmware (requires Titan CentriLog™ v3.2+).
Software & Data Management
Titan CentriLog™ PC software (v3.2, Windows 10/11 compatible) enables method transfer, remote monitoring, and electronic record retention. Each run generates a timestamped .csv log containing setpoint parameters, actual speed/temperature curves, rotor ID, operator ID, and event flags (e.g., “brake engaged”, “door opened mid-run”). Audit trails are immutable and exportable in PDF/A-1b format for regulatory submission. For networked labs, optional Ethernet/Wi-Fi module supports integration into LIMS via HL7-compatible API endpoints. All data files are SHA-256 hashed and stored with role-based access control (RBAC) enforced at the OS level.
Applications
- Preparative isolation of mitochondria, nuclei, and microsomes from tissue homogenates
- Clarification of bacterial and yeast culture supernatants prior to chromatography or filtration
- Concentration of viral vectors (AAV, lentivirus) and exosomes from cell-conditioned media
- Routine plasma/serum separation in clinical chemistry workflows (CLIA-certified protocols supported)
- Particle size distribution analysis of colloidal suspensions via sequential centrifugal fractionation
- Stability testing of protein formulations under accelerated stress conditions (ISO 13485-aligned)
FAQ
What is the minimum sample volume per tube required for stable operation at maximum speed?
For safe operation at 20,000 rpm, each tube must contain ≥30 mL of liquid to ensure adequate mass distribution and minimize rotor wobble. Tubes filled below 20 mL require use of balance tubes filled with water or density-matched solution.
Does the HRC-20K Plus support continuous temperature monitoring during deceleration?
Yes—the integrated Pt100 sensor continuously logs chamber temperature throughout spin-down; cooling remains active until the setpoint is re-established post-run.
Can third-party rotors be used with this centrifuge?
No. Only Titan-certified rotors with embedded RFID tags are recognized by the control system; unrecognized rotors trigger immediate interlock and display error code E-ROTOR.
Is validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ) available for GMP environments?
Yes—Titan provides standardized IQ/OQ protocols and PQ templates aligned with ASTM E2500-13 and EU Annex 15; on-site PQ execution and calibration traceable to NIST standards are offered as optional services.
