CentriVap® Centrifugal Vacuum Concentrators & Cold Traps

CentriVap and RapidVap Vacuum Concentrators — Technical Summary

Significance of the topic

Vacuum concentrators and evaporators are fundamental tools in modern analytical, biochemical and pharmaceutical laboratories. They enable rapid solvent removal from multiple small-volume samples while minimizing thermal and chemical damage to analytes. Applications include DNA/RNA sample preparation, proteomics, small-scale lyophilization, solvent exchange, sample preconcentration for chromatographic or mass-spectrometric analysis, and safe management of volatile or corrosive solvents. Choosing an appropriate concentrator configuration (rotor type, cold trap, vacuum pump, heating profile) directly impacts throughput, recovery, and integrity of sensitive samples, as well as laboratory safety and environmental compliance.

Objectives and overview of the document

This document summarizes the CentriVap and RapidVap product families (Labconco) and provides a practical guide to selecting and configuring vacuum concentrators and evaporators. It highlights product lines (CentriVap Pro, CentriVap Standard, RapidVap), core operating principles, key features (including VaporWorks OS), rotor and accessory options, cold trap selection, vacuum pump choices, acid-resistant variants, and typical laboratory workflows supported by the systems.

Methodology and operating principles

• Evaporation principle: Combined use of centrifugal force, controlled heating and reduced pressure to accelerate solvent removal from multiple small samples while maintaining sample localization in tubes, vials or microtiter plates.
• Centrifugation role: Rotors hold tubes at an angle to maximize exposed liquid surface area and prevent sample loss during rotation; some rotors support double stacking to multiply throughput.
• Vacuum management: External or integrated pumps lower chamber pressure to reduce solvent boiling points. Appropriate pump selection (diaphragm for corrosives/aqueous; rotary vane for deeper vacuum) impacts speed and compatibility with solvents.
• Cold trapping: Cold Traps condense and collect evaporated solvents to protect pumps and the laboratory atmosphere. Available collector temperatures cover -50 °C, -84 °C and -105 °C to suit a wide solvent range and eutectic points (e.g., water, acetonitrile, methanol).
• Temperature control: Chamber heating ranges from ambient up to 100 °C (Refrigerated Pro models extend to -10 °C to +100 °C) to accommodate heat-sensitive and heat-requiring protocols; optional 300 W Heat Boost accelerates heating and evaporation.
• Sample integrity: Refrigerated models permit processing of heat-sensitive biomolecules (RNA, proteins) by combining cooling and controlled heating with vacuum and centrifugal separation.

Used Instrumentation

• CentriVap Pro family: Bench-top concentrators with VaporWorks OS (5-inch color touchscreen), stackable rotors (capacity up to 312 tubes or six microtiter plates), rotor imbalance detection, data logging (CSV/PDF), Ethernet/Wi‑Fi connectivity, Smart Dry and End Point Assist.
• CentriVap Pro DNA: Compact units with integrated diaphragm pump (7 mBar, ~38 L/min), two glass traps, stainless steel DNA rotor included (accommodates 72 × 1.5 ml or 84 × 0.5 ml tubes).
• CentriVap Pro Benchtop and Standard models: Microprocessor control, program storage (up to 9 presets), Quick-Start and Quick-Stop features, 300 W heater, brushless motor (500–1800 RPM), optional Heat Boost.
• Acid-Resistant variants: PTFE-coated aluminum chambers, Hastelloy shafts, glass lids and other corrosion-resistant components to safely process dilute acids and bases (e.g., 0.1–1% TFA, HCl, acetic acid, NaOH).
• RapidVap line: Evaporation systems for higher-volume or rapid throughput use (overview present in brochure; select models support N2 flush options).
• Cold Traps: -50 °C, -84 °C and -105 °C models with stainless steel collectors (4 L capacity), optional glass inserts for corrosives, acrylic or stainless lids, Eco-Cool refrigerant options.
• Vacuum pumps and controllers: Diaphragm pumps (chemical-resistant PTFE wetted parts) for corrosive/aqueous service; rotary vane two-stage oil-sealed pumps for deeper vacuum (ultimate ~2×10^-3 mBar); vacuum controllers, three-way valves and tubing kits.
• Accessories: Wide range of rotors (tube, microtiter plate, flask, autosampler vial), CentriZap strobe lights for in-run monitoring, CentriVap carts, secondary traps, chemical trap inserts for acids, moisture, solvent, radioisotopes, and ammonia.

Main features, results and discussion

• Throughput and capacity: Pro models can process up to 312 microtubes or six standard microtiter plates per run via stackable rotors. Standard models handle up to 148 samples in the 12" chamber.
• Operational flexibility: VaporWorks OS allows live control and alteration of pressure, temperature, rotor speed and run time. Data collection and export capabilities facilitate documentation and method reproducibility.
• Sample protection: Refrigerated Pro uniquely covers -10 °C to +100 °C enabling controlled low-temperature operation for heat-sensitive analytes; End Point Assist and Smart Dry improve determination of dryness and accelerate final solvent removal.
• Chemical compatibility: Acid-resistant configurations expand usable chemistries up to specified low-concentration acids/bases; cold trap glass inserts and chemical trap inserts add downstream protection for corrosive vapors and radiochemical containment.
• Safety and diagnostics: Rotor imbalance detection and Quick-Stop vacuum release protect samples and instruments; vacuum delay ensures rotor reaches speed before vacuum application, reducing splashing or sample loss.
• Environmental considerations: Select cold traps and refrigerant options use natural gas-based Eco-Cool refrigerant with lower global warming potential to reduce lab environmental impact.

Benefits and practical applications

• High-throughput sample preparation: Suitable for multi-sample workflows in proteomics, genomics, analytical labs and QC, where parallel evaporation saves time and improves consistency.
• Versatile sample compatibility: From microliter DNA samples to several tens of milliliters, with rotor selection tailored to tube/vial size and quantity needs.
• Improved sample integrity: Precise temperature control, refrigerated options, and programmable methods reduce thermal degradation of labile compounds.
• Laboratory safety and compliance: Cold traps and chemical inserts protect pumps and atmosphere; acid-resistant components enable handling of corrosive reagents within defined concentration limits.
• Data traceability: Built-in logging and export to CSV/PDF support documentation, method transfer and regulatory record-keeping.

Future trends and potential applications

• Greater automation and integration: Expect tighter integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and automated method scheduling, leveraging Ethernet/Wi‑Fi connectivity and standardized data outputs.
• Smart endpoints and analytics: Enhanced end-point detection (spectroscopic or pressure/temperature derivative-based) may further reduce user intervention and prevent over-drying.
• Green laboratory design: Wider adoption of low-GWP refrigerants, solvent recovery loops and improved cold-trap solvent reclamation will address sustainability and cost recovery.
• Expanded chemical compatibility: Development of more corrosion-resistant materials and secondary containment accessories will broaden usable chemistries and radioisotope handling capabilities.
• Miniaturization and multiplexing: Continued upscaling of stackable rotor concepts and microplate-focused rotors will further increase per-run throughput without increasing bench footprint.

Conclusion

The CentriVap and RapidVap product lines provide a modular, configurable platform for controlled, high-throughput solvent removal across a broad range of laboratory applications. Key strengths include flexible rotor options, integrated data/logging via VaporWorks OS, refrigerated operation for heat-sensitive samples, acid-resistant builds for corrosive chemistries, and a matched suite of cold traps and vacuum pumps for solvent protection and pump longevity. Proper selection and configuration—matching rotor, cold trap temperature, vacuum pump type and material compatibility to your solvent matrix and sample sensitivity—are critical to achieving optimal performance and reliable results.

Reference

• Labconco Corporation. CentriVap and RapidVap Product Catalog and Technical Specifications. 2025.