Recirculating Chiller F-180

Key technical specifications

• Cooling capacity: 600 W at 15 °C, 500 W at 10 °C, 350 W at 0 °C (measured at 20 °C ambient temperature) 
• Temperature range: 0 °C to +25 °C when controlled via Rotavapor®; fixed +10 °C without remote control 
• Refrigerant: R290 / propane, 82 g; natural refrigerant with GWP of 3 stated on the manufacturer webpage 
• Speed-controlled compressor for energy-saving operation 
• Tank volume: 4.5 L 
• Pump pressure: 0.5 bar 
• Flow rate: 1.2 L/min when connected to one Rotavapor®; 3.5 L/min with nothing connected 
• Dimensions (W × D × H): 240 × 450 × 465 mm 
• Weight: 20 kg 
• Noise level: 55 dB in standby, up to 68 dB max. 
• Tubing connection: Ø 8 mm (GL-14) 
• Compatibility:  Rotavapor® interface; can be connected to one or two Rotavapor® units 

The BUCHI Recirculating Chiller F-180 is a compact recirculating chiller developed for the Rotavapor® product line, particularly as a cooling component for the R-80 and R-180 systems. It is designed to provide stable, reliable cooling while supporting space-efficient laboratory layouts. 

Its design combines practical integration with environmentally conscious operation. The unit uses a natural refrigerant and a speed-controlled compressor to match cooling output to demand, helping reduce energy consumption and noise during routine use. 

Designed for compact evaporation setups

The F-180 was developed for space-constrained laboratories. According to the manufacturer, it can be positioned under the bench, while a Vacuum Pump V-80 or V-180 can be placed on top. The technical data sheet also states that the Vacuum Pump V-180 can be placed on top of the chiller. This layout helps create a compact rotary evaporation workstation without adding unnecessary bench footprint. 

Reliable cooling performance for everyday laboratory work

The chiller provides cooling capacities of 600 W at 15 °C, 500 W at 10 °C, and 350 W at 0 °C. When controlled via the Rotavapor®, the operating temperature range is 0 °C to +25 °C; without remote control, the setpoint temperature is +10 °C. This makes the unit suitable for defined cooling conditions within integrated BUCHI evaporation systems. 

Energy-saving, demand-based operation

A key design feature is the speed-controlled compressor. The manufacturer states that the chiller automatically adjusts cooling capacity according to demand, which helps minimize both energy consumption and noise. On the product webpage, BUCHI specifies energy savings of up to 30% during typical operation compared with a 500 W chiller such as the BUCHI Recirculating Chiller F-305, based on an 8-hour runtime with 50% standby and 50% cooling. 

Eco-conscious refrigerant concept

The F-180 uses natural refrigerant R290 (propane). The manufacturer webpage specifies a Global Warming Potential of 3, highlighting reduced environmental impact compared with conventional refrigerants. This supports laboratories looking for lower-impact cooling solutions within standard evaporation workflows. 

Integration with BUCHI systems

The Recirculating Chiller F-180 is designed for integration with the Interface I-80 / I-180, Vacuum Pump V-80 / V-180, and Rotavapor® R-80 / R-180. Cooling temperature can be set directly on the central Rotavapor® interface, simplifying operation within an integrated system. 

Operation with up to two Rotavapor® units

The technical data sheet states that the chiller can be controlled by one or two Rotavapor® units, and the product webpage specifies compatibility with up to two connected Rotavapor® systems, R-80 and/or R-180. For labs running parallel evaporation tasks, this can help reduce equipment count and save installation space. A dedicated cooling valve is listed as an accessory for operating one F-180 with two Rotavapor R-80/R-180 units. 

Practical configuration details

The unit has a 4.5 L tank volume, 0.5 bar pump pressure, and a flow rate of 1.2 L/min when connected to one Rotavapor®. It uses Ø 8 mm (GL-14) tubing connections and has overall dimensions of 240 × 450 × 465 mm with a weight of 20 kg. The supplied package includes a power cable, communication cable, four GL-14 hose barbs for Ø 8 mm tubing, and four hose clips.

Applications

• Cooling for BUCHI Rotavapor® R-80 systems 
• Cooling for BUCHI Rotavapor® R-180 systems 
• Integrated rotary evaporation systems using Interface I-80 / I-180 and Vacuum Pump V-80 / V-180 
• Space-saving laboratory evaporation setups, including configurations with the chiller under the bench 
• Operation of one chiller with up to two Rotavapor® units when configured accordingly