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ThermalFisher RTE-740 Thermal Circulator Bath.

Equipment Specifications

Protocol

This water bath is an RTE 740 and it can go up to 250 C and as low as -40 C. However, when going to such extremes make sure that the fluid and piping can handle the temperatures.

Property Value
Type High-Temperature Silicone Rubber Firm Tubing
Material Silicone
Shape Single Line
Outside Diameter 1/2" (.5")
Inside Diameter 3/8" (.375")
Wall Thickness 1/16" (.0625")
Available Lengths 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 feet
Length Note This tubing can stretch up to 2 times its length and still spring back to its original shape.
Reinforcement Unreinforced
Color Semi-Clear White
Maximum Pressure 10 psi @ 72º F
Operating Temperature Range -70 to +200
Bend Radius 1/2" (.5")
Durometer 70A (Soft)
Tensile Strength 1,350 psi
For Use With Air, Beverage, Food, Water
Sterilize With Steam (autoclave)
Specifications Met American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA Specification CFR21 177.2600
ASTM Specification ASTM D2000 M7GE 707
Compatible Fittings Barbed
Chemical Compatibility Link 51845KAC
Caution McMaster-Carr does not guarantee chemical compatibility because many variables can affect the tubing. Ultimately, the consumer must determine chemical compatibility based on the conditions in which the product is being used.

Bottom of Form http://www.mcmaster.com/#51135k82/=7ve6jg

Typical fluids would be distilled water and propylene glycol (food grade). Distilled water can go from 1-95 C. Propylene glycol properties change depending on the mixing ration. Typically you go with a 50/50 mixture.

Propylene Glycol / Water Mixtures

PG Conc. Vol.% Freezing Point (C) Melting Point (C)
0 0 100
10 -4 100
19 -7 102
29 -12 102
40 -21 104
50 -34 104
60 -51 107
70 <-51 110
80 <-51 118
90 <-51 118
100 <-51 188

http://web.archive.org/web/20101224023753/http://www.ashland.com/pdfs/technical/AD%20Chemicals%20-%20Freeze-Flash%20Point.pdf For more choices and requirements for the fluids, see A-1 in the manual.

Pg 19 of the manual has detailed instructions on how to start.

  1. Connect tubing to the bath and to the test fixture. Make sure the pipe is securely attached and that there are no bends in the tubing.
  2. Make sure the drain (black outlet) is closed (feels tight when you use a wrench to turn it clockwise, to open it use a wrench and turn it counter clockwise)
  3. Fill the bath (lift the lid up) until the fluid level is between the two markers.
  4. Turn the system on by pushing the I/O button.
  5. Press the clockwise arrow until the first thermometer icon lights up.
  6. Use the up and down arrows to set the desired temperature.
  7. Press the clockwise arrow again to confirm value and to set the low point. Repeat 6 to set the low temperature.
  8. Press the clockwise arrow again to confirm value and to set the high point. Repeat 6 to set the high temperature.
  9. If at any point one waits 10 seconds, the temperature value will return to display the current fluid temperature.
  10. The program should be set to allow for temperatures higher than 50 C, however, if the bath can not get above 50 C, you will need to program it to allow for it. See page 21 for set by set diagram of how to program the bath.
  11. Once tests have been completed, press the I/O button to turn it off

Things to note

  1. Thermofisher recommends waiting 1 minute after turning the bath off to turn the bath on again.
  2. It takes time to get the fluid to desired temperature. To get to 80 C it takes over 40 minutes and for -40 C it takes about 50 minutes. See page 8 of manual.
  3. Keep a minimum clearance in front and behind the bath of 12 (30 cm) for airflow cooling.
  4. Before moving bath, one needs to drain it.
  5. When draining the fluid from the bath, make sure that it is at a safe temperature level (less than 25 C). It is recommended that once you have finished your testing that you set the fluid temperature to 25 C and that once the fluid is at room temperature, that you turn the system off and drain it.
  6. The system weights 87 pounds.
  7. Think about the fluid properties such as freeze and boiling points.
  8. Sudden jolts or drops can damage system
  9. Read other manual before using to further understand safety (pg 4)
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License CC-BY-SA-3.0
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Created July 13, 2010 by Michael Pathak
Last edit November 28, 2025 by Maintenance script
Cite as 5mjmp (2010–2025). "Thermal Circulator Bath: QAS". Appropedia. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
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