I’m sure @spdking will have some comments, but has anyone checked out the rotovap summit posted on Instagram? Any quotes?
“Reinventing the rotovap” seems like a tall order for adding the kind of features listed. Personally I almost never pay extra for equipment loaded with extra do-dads and whistles, I feel that a well trained and educated operator should be able to handle using a basic roto to accomplish their needs. My policy, if the funding is there, is stainless instruments chained for semi and continuous operation, less broken parts and more scalability.
Some of the features seem like they examined the features people like about falling films and added them to a roto, which could be useful.
This is not, and should not be used as a hate on summit thread. Objective and relative discussion of their gear please.
I don’t want to diminish anyone’s feelings towards the guy, but as stated before this is for objective discussion of the equipment not subjective discussion of the owner of said business.
I’ve run rotovaps as simple as a 2L analog chinese model to high end industrial heidolphs, and while I’m no fan of the cheap units I just cant justify spending the $60k heidolph wants for some of their 20L rotos.
So yeah reinventing the wheel is probably a bit much, but if theres a new wave of more affordably priced units with bells and whistles then I’m sure theres a market for them.
Back to the topic at hand, im not sure how i like the receiving flask or tube or whatever, i guess its kinda cool that you can operate a discharge pump on it, kinda innovative, but at that point why not just get a FFE.
also says that the pump is optional, so if you dont buy one, what you have to re-pump down the system after every drain???
really curious to see more of this rig.
also really curious to see if @goldleaf_scientific is still working on their hybrid falling film/roto
The rotovap doesn’t require two pumps to operate. It requires one only. It can run on smaller medium duty chillers or larger kw heat removal chillers. It can take hoses for vacuum or bellows directly to the condenser. It has a breather port at top to break vacuum and also to lock off.
The question about pumps that was raised is you can install a optional solvent discharge pump at the bottom of the recovery “flask”.
Gotcha, I’ve been using centrifugal pumps and gear pumps to empty receiving flasks for awhile. Makes the work pretty easy just pumping right into a 50L HDPE carboy for future use
I reinvented the wheel because i want you to waste your hard earned money on inferior glass equipment. Why buy a falling film when you can by a rotovap with a touchscreen!!! it has tetris for those long nights in the lab!!!
Why bash a dude who is trying to better something? Summit has been innovating and doing more than any company since this was the hype. I don’t understand what’s to hate? @spdking makes quality products, maybe brash on the internet, but who gives a shit. You get what you pay for.
Do you make a table top unit? Btw this whole thing is so rich. The roto and the history behind your lineage. Your both innovators and both deserve credit
I’d definitely like to see an analogue way to lock off that bottom reservoir without having to go with another pump in order to drain it… but like many people have said, the pumps are kind of the way to go anyways.
I would like to know more about the feed line, how does the heater heat itself and determine its temperature.
Bumping seems like it might be a bit of an issue, where potentially hard to reach places in the collection side might not self clean like a traditional roto. The controls should help with bumping but it does happen from time to time if you’re pushing it.
Is there an explosion proof option? Is there a UL or other kind of cert included?
Looks cool can’t wait to play with the touchscreen in Vegas
