Rotary evaporators are laboratory devices that are primarily used in chemical and pharmaceutical research as well as in the food industry. They enable the gentle removal of solvents by evaporation under reduced pressure. This ensures efficient separation and concentration of samples without damaging heat-sensitive substances. The combination of rotation of the evaporator, heated bath and vacuum ensures uniform evaporation at lower temperatures than with conventional methods.
One rotary evaporator device available to the institute is the RV 10 digital from the company IKA. This device is equipped with a 4-litre universal heating bath that can be operated with both water and oil and offers fast heat-up times. The vertical glass set design and a generous cooling surface of 1500 cm² ensure efficient condensation. Operation is facilitated by an ergonomically designed control unit that provides numerous innovative functions, including a soft start, interval operation with clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation and a timer function for automatic control of time sequences. Safety takes centre stage with this model: a motor-driven lift has a "safety-stop" function, and individually adjustable safety temperature circuits, dry-running protection and adjustable end position detection are also integrated to prevent glass breakage. A locking function prevents unintentional operating errors, while a push-off device makes it easier to release stuck pistons. The speed range of the RV 10 digital extends from 5 to 280 revolutions per minute, and the heating temperature can be set from room temperature to 180 °C.
A slightly older device is the VV 2011 from Heidolph, which also allows precise control of the speed in the range from 20 to 250 rpm via a control knob. The heating bath of this model offers a temperature range of 20 to 100 °C when using water and up to 240 °C when using oil. The appliance is protected by overtemperature protection, which automatically switches off the appliance in the event of overheating, for example due to dry running or a thermostat failure.
If you need to use the rotary evaporator, please contact the person responsible for the appliance.
