IKA RV 3 Rotary Evaporator with Dry Ice Condenser, HB eco Heating Bath, up to 300 rpm, 0010006363
€2,739.75
% Manufacturer's RRP: €3,653.00 25% below manufacturer's RRP
- RV 10.4 dry ice condenser with 620 cm² cooling surface, no cooling water connection
- Speed range 20 to 300 rpm, manual lift with 150 mm stroke
- Evaporating flask 1,000 ml and receiving flask 500 ml included in the scope of delivery
- 24-volt extra-low voltage at the flask for greater safety
- Suitable for low-boiling solvents such as diethyl ether
- 5-year IKA warranty with registration within 90 days of purchase
Product information "IKA RV 3 Rotary Evaporator with Dry Ice Condenser, HB eco Heating Bath, up to 300 rpm, 0010006363"
The RV 3 with dry ice condenser replaces water-flow cooling with a dry ice condenser, so the device needs no cooling water connection. The RV 10.4 condenser with 620 square centimetres of cooling surface sits on the RV 3 FLEX drive unit, and IKA also supplies a 1 litre evaporating flask and a 500 millilitre receiving flask. At 28.3 kilograms, the device is considerably heavier than the FLEX drive unit alone because of the condenser and glassware. As a manual base model of the RV 3 series, it is suitable for chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological laboratories as well as for research, production and quality assurance.
Dry ice condenser for low-boiling solvents
Instead of a cooling water circuit, the condenser is filled with dry ice or another cooling medium, which makes the device independent of a water connection at the workstation. With 620 square centimetres of cooling surface, the setup is particularly suitable for solvents with a low boiling point, where a pure water condenser is not sufficient to effectively slow evaporation. For laboratories without a fixed cooling water connection or with fluctuating water pressure, this is often the more practical solution than retrofitting recirculating cooling.
Accessories and expansion
As part of the RV 10-compatible accessory platform, the RV 3 with dry ice condenser can, if required, be expanded with a second set of glassware, recirculating cooling or a vacuum pump such as the VACSTAR lite, should automated vacuum control nevertheless be needed in operation. For dry ice operation itself, a standard cooling medium in the condenser jacket is sufficient, and no additional power connection for cooling is needed.
Choice of coolant and everyday operation
In practice, the dry ice condenser is filled with crushed dry ice, which is mixed with a solvent such as isopropanol or acetone in the condenser jacket so that the cold is distributed evenly around the cooling coils instead of settling in lumps. Anyone distilling over several hours plans the refilling as a fixed step in the procedure, since dry ice sublimates continuously and the cooling capacity otherwise declines. Cold-protection gloves are sensible when filling and refilling, as pure dry ice can cause frostbite on direct skin contact. For the distillation of diethyl ether or dichloromethane after an extraction, the cooling surface of 620 square centimetres is generally sufficient without solvent escaping uncontrolled through the condenser.
Manual operation and safety features
As with the FLEX drive unit, the speed can be set between 20 and 300 revolutions per minute with a rotary knob, and the manual lift has a stroke of 150 millimetres. A locking mechanism with a red indicator marks the unlocked position of the vapour duct tube, and the flask clamp with push-off device allows the evaporating flask to be changed with one hand, for right-handed and left-handed users alike. Internally, the device works with 24-volt extra-low voltage, which reduces the risk at the flask compared with components carrying mains voltage.
Connected load and dimensions
On the mains, the device runs at 100 to 240 volts and 1400 watts device power consumption, and a separate voltage converter is not necessary on most European and international mains supplies. The protection class IP 20 according to DIN EN 60529 and the permissible ambient range of 5 to 40 degrees Celsius at up to 80 per cent humidity correspond to the usual conditions in a laboratory room. With a footprint of 440 x 530 x 330 millimetres and a weight of 28.3 kilograms, a fixed position in the fume cupboard or on a stable laboratory bench makes sense.
Typical applications
- Distillation of low-boiling solvents such as diethyl ether or dichloromethane
- Workstations without a cooling water connection or with limited water flow
- Mobile or temporary laboratory setups outside a permanent installation
- Training and routine operation with a fixed condenser and flask combination, without changeover time between experiments
Selection guide: dry ice condenser, FLEX or set
This version is the uncoated dry ice condenser variant of the RV 3 series. Anyone who needs coated glass for additional splinter protection or is looking for a complete set solution will find the suitable version in the following overview.
| Model | Equipment | Speed range | Lift |
| RV 3 FLEX | without glassware, without condenser | 20 to 300 rpm | manual |
| RV 3 with dry ice condenser (this product) | Dry ice condenser, 620 cm² | 20 to 300 rpm | manual |
| RV 3 with dry ice condenser, coated | Dry ice condenser, coated, 620 cm² | 20 to 300 rpm | manual |
| RV 3 V Starter Solution | Vertical glassware, pump and recirculating chiller in the set | 20 to 300 rpm | manual |
For the distillation of larger volumes, the RV 8 and the RV 10 offer two larger series from the same family to choose from.
Technical details
| Condenser type | Dry ice condenser |
| Cooling surface | 620 cm² |
| Motor principle | DC |
| Speed range | 20 to 300 rpm |
| Speed tolerance | ±1 rpm below 100 rpm, ±1 % from 100 rpm |
| Lift | manual, stroke 150 mm |
| Heating temperature range | Room temperature to 99 °C |
| Permissible ambient temperature / humidity | 5 to 40 °C / 80 % |
| Protection class | IP 20 according to DIN EN 60529 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 440 x 530 x 330 mm |
| Weight | 28.3 kg |
| Connected load | 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 1400 W |
Scope of delivery
- RV 3 FLEX drive unit (basic unit), ident no. 0010006363
- HB eco heating bath
- RV 10.4 dry ice condenser, ident no. 0003742000
- RV 10.84 evaporating flask (NS 29/32, 1,000 ml), ident no. 0003740500
- RV 10.102 receiving flask (KS 35/20, 500 ml), ident no. 0003742400
Warranty and procurement service
The IKA manufacturer's warranty applies to rotary evaporators: 2 years, extended to 5 years if registered at ika.com/register within 90 days of purchase. For a second condenser and flask set, an additional set of glassware or recirculating cooling as an alternative to dry ice operation, the procurement service of LT Laborhandel puts together the suitable combination. The procurement team also provides direct support with questions about spare part availability for condensers and flasks, without the entire drive unit having to be replaced.