Process-Optimised Temperature and Climatic Tests

Memmert presents highly efficient climatic test chambers at the Achema Faster heating up and cooling down times in temperature and climate test chambers are the crucial point in the shortening of process times in controlled material and function testing. Physics cannot be outsmarted. Even in the future, from zero to a hundred degrees will not be a matter a seconds, but of minutes. But with technological components ideally matched to one another, the envelope of what is feasible can be pushed further, as the new environmental test chambers from the Memmert company prove, with a temperature control range of -42 °C to +190 °C.

Low noise and high performance.

Noise at the workplace puts a strain on people, and in the worst case, can make them ill. For this reason, particular emphasis was placed on low-noise operation during the development of the new Memmert environmental testing equipment - the TTC temperature test chamber and the CTC climatic test chamber with a humidity unit. In order for the two appliances, with a nominal power of 7,000 Watt, to be able to work at high power at the same time, the heating and climate technology was optimally matched to each other by the temperature control experts at Memmert, including a 3-layer insulation system originally developed for the aerospace industry. The high-tech material prevents the insulation from being penetrated by moisture, thus permanently guaranteeing insulation capacity.

Economical at high performance
In just 20 minutes (to 98% of the setpoint), the new Memmert environmental test chambers heat up from -40 °C to +180 °C, and in the opposite direction they cool down in just 80 minutes (to 98% of the setpoint) from +180 °C to -40 °C. This means on average a temperature change speed of 10 K per minute in heating operation, and 6 K in cooling operation. Right from the beginning the Memmert engineers made sure that this outstanding performance would not only be achieved at the cost of a high-energy consumption. “We have made it our objective to promote the topic of GreenLab engineering with every new product development“, explains Ralf Achtnicht, head of development. “Due to their higher performance, compressors by nature use more energy than our appliances with Peltier technology. This is why we have tuned up our new temperature and climatic test chambers for energy efficiency with a whole range of sophisticated technical qualities, such as the twin-compressor, regulated according to output, or the extremely low K-value of the insulation.“ Not only the consumption is environmentally friendly, but also the climate system, in which the chlorine-free and ozone-neutral refrigerant R 404 A is exclusively used.

Active humidification and dehumidification

Apart from the cooling down and heating up times, the humidity recovery times are highly competitive. The 2-stage hot steam generator with a separate water preheater copes with large amounts of water and ensures that the set humidity is quickly reached. The fact that even in regions with high or low humidity, the required setpoint humidity in the chamber can be maintained exactly within a range from 10% to 98% relative humidity, can be attributed to the electronically controlled active humidification and dehumidification system, which was developed, like all the quality-critical components and the entire control technology, by our own team and in accordance with our tradition. A high-quality and maintenance-free, temperature-compensated, capacitive humidity sensor ensures high measurement precision and long-term stability. Marketing Manager Angelika Henneberg on the philosophy of the Memmert company: “For over sixty years we have put our faith uncompromisingly in quality. Our AtmoSAFE seal of quality is an expression of the increased requirements
of our customers in terms of controlled atmosphere in the chambers. This guarantees the absolutely precise control of all parameters, such as temperature and humidity, in our environmental test chambers. The fact that we can do this as a matter of course lies in the close coordination of electronics development, mechanical construction and production“.

Safe and efficient test processes
Processes must run safely and be stable, especially for tests that run over days, or even weeks. Sufficient reserves of power in the TTC and CTC guarantee that relevant test standards are fulfilled, such as DIN EN 60068-2-1, 2-2, 2-3 and 2-30, but also stability tests in accordance with the ICH guideline. The adjustable high performance air turbine, with a capacity of up to 1,200 m³ per hour, was designed for optimised temperature transition, as well as for homogeneous temperature distribution, the electronic refrigerant injection ensures an optimal cooling capacity. Other benefits for continuous operation without interruption are two Pt100-temperature sensors with mutual sensor monitoring and function control, depending on requirements, as well as the automatic defrosting system of the evaporator.

User-friendly and flexible configuration
Flexible, simple configuration, reliable logging and a clear graphical presentation of the measurement parameters are essential for a modern and efficient environment simulation. Like all Memmert appliances, the environmental test chambers are equipped with an internal memory for seamless and manipulation-proof logging of temperature, fan speed, humidity and status messages. Data can be read out externally via the standard USB interface or via Ethernet. A notebook can be connected to the appliance itself, allowing the status and course of processes be displayed. The current states of all relevant process parameters can be clearly seen on the operating panel at a glance. Pre-programmed chip cards enable rapid and manipulation-proof access to common test standards and preset, reproducible process parameters. With a chamber volume of 256 litres, the appliance provides plenty of space for the test object, yet has a low floor space requirement because of its narrow and compact construction and can be conveniently moved on its castors through any standard laboratory doors. Sales Manager Heinz Bayer is optimistic in regards to the market success of the new “high flyer“: “Even with this new product development, we have remained loyal to our ideals. The use of high quality material has always been one of our trademarks. With the climatic test chambers, the casing, chamber and evaporator built of stainless steel guarantee a long product life and resistance to corrosion, even after many years of industrial use under extreme climatic conditions. And yet we provide, despite the excellent standard fittings, a cost/benefit ratio that is absolutely competitive in times when purchasing and controlling departments are focusing on as economical investments as possible.“