LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG is steadily expanding its portfolio of constant temperature equipment with natural refrigerants. After introducing the first LAUDA process thermostats to use CO₂ refrigerants, as well as LAUDA Universa bath thermostats, which run entirely on natural refrigerants, the world market leader in precise temperature control is now expanding its tried-and-tested Alpha, Integral, Ultracool, Microcool and Variocool product lines with new variants that use natural refrigerants.
Natural refrigerants as the strategic focus
The gradual reduction of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) through the European F-Gas Regulation and other international regulations creates a strong incentive to use technologies based on natural refrigerants. LAUDA started systematically transitioning its device portfolio and industrial systems engineering solutions years ago – and is now steadily continuing along this path with the comprehensive expansion of its portfolio.
While F-gases remain permitted in defined use cases, the transition to alternatives arises out of domestic and international agreements as well as LAUDA’s own ambitions. Two classes of refrigerant are used as a natural alternative:
A1 refrigerants such as CO₂ (R744): stable performance, especially energy efficient at temperatures below 0°C, suitable for applications with high cooling capacity requirements
A3 refrigerants such as propane (R290) or propene (R1270): universal, very low GWP value (Global Warming Potential), high energy efficiency, suitable for all temperature ranges, including under -50°C, equipped with integrated safety technology for larger quantities of refrigerant
Whatever the device category or individual requirements of the respective application, LAUDA always uses the most suitable refrigerant in its constant temperature equipment, to offer customers both the most cost- and energy-efficient solution.
Laboratory applications: Compact, efficient and suitable for air transport
For laboratory use, a compact range of bath thermostats, circulation chillers and process thermostats is available, based on high-performance natural A3 refrigerants like propane (R290). Thanks to their low refrigerant quantity of less than 100 g, these models are suitable for air transport and do not require any additional safety technology – making them usable worldwide without any special infrastructural requirements.
Bath thermostats – LAUDA Alpha: The long-established Alpha bath thermostats offer a cost-effective entry point into the world of temperature control. With propane as a natural refrigerant, they use a refrigerant with a low carbon footprint while offering an effective solution in terms of price, performance and size. Below 0°C, the new thermostats even achieve a higher cooling capacity than their F-gas predecessors. When more cooling capacity and functionality are needed, the LAUDA Universa product line, which was fully launched this year, offers an extensive range of devices for numerous applications.
Circulation chiller – LAUDA Microcool: The Microcool product line offers four models based on natural refrigerants, a temperature range of -10 to 40°C and a cooling capacity ranging from 0.35 to 2 kW. New to the range is the Microcool MC 2000 with 2 kW cooling capacity: the most powerful available variant. The highlight of these devices is the high-quality pump with magnetic coupling. Magnetic coupling of pump and electric motor prevents seal issues from arising on the pump shaft.
Process thermostats – LAUDA Variocool: The Variocool device types VC 1200 and VC 2000, which use propane as a natural refrigerant, offer an expanded temperature range of -25 to 80°C, a higher cooling capacity in the lower temperature range and a speed-controlled compressor for efficient, silent operation.
Industrial and process applications: High performance with integrated safety technology
For applications with higher cooling capacity requirements – e.g. in production or industrial processes – a choice of powerful devices and systems with natural refrigerants like CO2 (R744), propane (R290) or propene (R1270) is available. On LAUDA devices with an A3 refrigerant quantity of more than 150 g, safety technology is integrated as standard. A reliable power supply and ventilation system, integrated gas detection sensors and a safety shutoff mechanism ensure safe operation.
Circulation chiller – LAUDA Ultracool: The high-performance Ultracool circulation chillers are now available in eight types with a propane refrigerant, ranging from 2 to 80 kW cooling capacity. In most cases, the cooling capacity is better than that of the previous F-gas predecessors. A variety of options – including stronger pumps, flow meters and noise-reducing variants – remain available. The devices are also suitable for outdoor installation.
Process thermostats – LAUDA Integral: The high-performance Integral product line is being expanded with multiple models based on natural refrigerants such as propane (R290), propene (R1270) and CO₂ (R744). The new variants combine proven flow technology using cold oil blankets with climate-friendly refrigerants, and stand out for their extremely low greenhouse potential and high energy efficiency, even at low temperatures.
