What is a Circulator?
A circulator is a laboratory equipment designed for the precise and homogeneous heating or cooling of liquids. Circulators find applications in various fields such as laboratories, research and development, education, and industry.
Working Principle of Circulators
A circulator consists of a reservoir, a heating or cooling system, a pump, and a control unit. The reservoir is filled with the liquid to be heated or cooled. The heating or cooling system ensures that the liquid reaches the desired temperature. The pump continuously circulates the liquid in the reservoir, ensuring the even distribution of temperature. The control unit allows for the adjustment and monitoring of temperature.
Types of Circulators
Based on temperature range: Circulators are available that can perform heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling. Depending on the liquid bath capacity, there are small, medium, and large-capacity circulators. All circulators circulate water in the liquid reservoir through a circulation method. In addition to this feature, there are models that perform external liquid circulation, delivering the liquid within the reservoir to a different external device, facilitating liquid conditioning.
Circulators without the circulation (mixing) feature are referred to as Water Baths or Bain-Marie Water Baths. You can find our blog post about Bain-Marie Water Bath models here. Labo produces many circulator models within the range of -190°C to 250°C. The features and designs of these devices, along with safety measures, are developed by Labo's R&D engineers to meet specific needs.
Generally, circulators have cooling powers of less than 1 kW. Products with larger cooling power are called Chillers. (You can find our blog post about chiller devices here.)
Points to Consider When Choosing a Circulator
Temperature range: Choose a model with a suitable temperature range for your intended use.
Liquid tank capacity: Select a circulator with a tank capacity suitable for the amount of liquid to be used. If working inside the circulator is the goal, Labo B Series (Big) models with bath capacities of 20 liters and above can be used.
Accuracy and stability: Choose a circulator with high accuracy and stability values for the precise control of temperature.
Safety features: Select a circulator with safety features such as overheat protection and liquid leakage protection.
Additional features: Circulators with additional features such as a timer, programmability, and data recording can make them easier to use and more functional.
Applications of Circulators
Chemical analyses: Maintaining samples at a specific temperature.
Biochemical studies: Performing enzymatic reactions.
Microbiology: Cultivating microbiological cultures.
Education: Use in laboratory experiments and classes.
Industry: Quality control, production processes, and sample conditioning.
For detailed information about Labo Circulators and assistance with model selection, you can contact our project engineers at info@labo.com.tr or by calling +90 216 329 11 77.
In this article, we have covered the basic features of circulators and their industrial applications. We hope this information guides you in the circulator selection process and provides an opportunity to benefit from Labo A.S.'s expertise in temperature control solutions for over 40 years.