Is there a lab chiller that performs well in a hot and humid environment?

If your lab or facility is hot and humid, it can be a challenge to find a chiller that performs well and doesn’t create condensation. PRESTO temperature control systems from JULABO USA are the exception, allowing you to reach deep temperatures down to -92°C without sacrificing cooling capacities or creating unwanted moisture. 

Cooling Challenges in Hot & Humid Environments

A hazy, hot, and humid day can make anyone feel uncomfortable and stressed—the same holds true for an air-cooled circulator or chiller. As the temperature increases, the efficiency of the air-cooled condenser drops, causing a reduction in the cooling capacity and jeopardizing whatever process or application the circulator controls. 

Humidity can also cause problems by creating unwanted condensation. For example, in humid conditions where you’re operating an open bath system at sub-ambient temperatures (less than 60°F – 75°F or 15°C – 25°C), atmospheric moisture can leak through the bath tank lid and condense in the bath fluid. When this happens, water or ice will form in the fluid, and if enough ice collects, it can encase the refrigeration evaporator coils, causing a reduction in cooling power. 

Circulator and Chiller Solutions for Hot & Humid Laboratories

Whether you’re running your cooling application in a scientific or industrial laboratory, your surrounding or room temperature plays a role in how well your cooler or circulator performs. Combine high heat and high humidity, and you may struggle to cool an application. Fortunately, there are solutions. JULABO’s PRESTO temperature control systems operate in conditions up to 40°C (104°F) and with 50% humidity. 

You may want to consider a water-cooled PRESTO for high-temperature conditions instead of an air-cooled unit. With a water-cooled PRESTO, the water supply removes heat from the refrigeration system, eliminating the efficiency losses that may be associated with higher room temperatures. 

PRESTO Advantages for Hot & Humid Conditions

The PRESTO operates as a closed bath system rather than an open bath system, which means the bath fluid isn’t exposed to the atmosphere. It also uses the cold oil overlay concept where any heated or cooled fluid flows only to the application, while a layer of additional heat transfer fluid protects the heating and cooling zones. The protective fluid resides in an upper expansion reservoir that’s always held at room temperature. This means that while operating the unit at cold temperatures, only the protective layer of fluid comes into contact with the atmosphere. In addition, the designated fluid used to cool the application will not be exposed to room conditions. This means you won’t have issues with water or ice.

Temperature Control Product Recommendations for Hot & Humid Environments

The PRESTO system from JULABO USA offers various models for working temperature ranges from -92°C to +250°C with up to 27kW of cooling power. In addition, the closed system and cold oil overlay technology help maximize time-to-temperature and efficiency in hot and humid environments. The PRESTO line is ideal for external applications, including cooling reactors, material and component testing, and environmental temperature simulations. 

PRESTO Performance Allows You To:

• Operate across a wide range of temperatures without having to change the bath fluid
• Safely exceed the fluid flashpoint at high temperatures
• Work at low temperatures without ice build-up or condensation, even in hot and humid climates
• Protect sensitive glass reactors without having to purchase a pressure relief valve
• Quickly compensate for endothermic & exothermic reactions
• And more

Water-Cooled PRESTO Options

Get a Personalized Chiller Consultation 

Sizing a chiller for your application is a science. Your JULABO Account Manager will help you find the best chiller for your application, even if you’re running that application in a hot and humid laboratory. Locate your JULABO USA account manager and get a free consultation today.