Labconco’s CentriVap Vacuum Concentrators use centrifugal force to hold the sample at the bottom of the tubes, preventing bubbling and splashing. Simultaneously, a vacuum is applied to lower the solvent's boiling point, and heat is often applied to accelerate evaporation. The solvent vapor is then captured in a cold trap or glass trap to protect the vacuum pump and aid in analysis or disposal.

A standard centrifuge is used to separate components based on density by spinning at high speeds. A CentriVap is designed for concentration and drying. It spins at a lower, controlled speed to prevent bumping while applying vacuum and heat, leaving behind a concentrate, film, or dry pellet.

A Cold Trap is placed between the CentriVap and the vacuum pump. Its purpose is to condense and collect the solvent vapors being removed from your samples. This protects your vacuum pump from corrosive chemical damage and prevents water vapor from contaminating the pump oil if present. Labconco Cold Traps offer various condenser temperatures, such as -50°C for aqueous samples, -84°C for samples containing solvents or with lower eutectic points, and -105°C for samples with very low eutectic points or dilute methanol or ethanol. Similarly, DNA CentriVaps feature two ambient temperature glass traps which perform the same function for a smaller range of solvents.

Labconco offers a wide variety of rotors to accommodate different tube sizes and types. These include rotors for microcentrifuge tubes, common test tubes, conical tubes, vials, microplates, and even pear-shaped flasks. All CentriVap Pro and Standard CentriVap rotors are also available in chemically resistant configurations.

Yes, some Labconco CentriVap Pro configurations are designed for solvent and acid use, but you must take precautions to ensure your system is compatible with your application. Some solvents and acids can damage chambers, rotors, shafts, bearings, seals, hoses, lids, and vacuum pumps. Labconco offers resistant coatings for CentriVap components, as well as chemically resistant vacuum pump and accessory options.

Many applications, such as work with RNA and proteins, require sample temperature to remain below a specific temperature threshold. Since the spinning rotor found in Labconco’s CentriVap Pro Vacuum Concentrator can heat samples to 30-35°C even without added heat from the system, we recommend the Refrigerated CentriVap Pro. This instrument can cool the sample chamber to -10°C, ensuring your samples remain stable throughout your workflow.

Regular cleaning includes wiping down the inside of the chamber and the rotor with a mild detergent or 70% ethanol, and inspecting seals and hoses for cracks and wear. The cold trap should be defrosted and cleaned regularly to ensure optimal vapor capture can take place. Always refer to your user manuals for specific maintenance schedules for the instrument and vacuum pump.

Yes. Labconco offers dedicated rotors and accessories for concentrating samples directly in standard microplates, deep well plates, and PCR plates. This allows for high throughput concentration of samples directly in the plate they were processed in.

The choice of pump depends on what you are trying to achieve with your CentriVap. Labconco offers a range of pumps specifically designed to pair with concentrators, but most applications can use a Diaphragm Vacuum Pump. This style of pump offers a moderate ultimate vacuum pressure and better chemical resistance than our oil-based pumps. If you are planning to use your CentriVap Pro for both sample concentration and small scale freeze drying, we recommend a Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump since the CentriVap Pro offers vacuum pressure control.