A water bath in a chemistry lab is laboratory equipment that uses heated water to incubate samples at a controlled temperature for various scientific applications, including warming reagents, thawing samples, and enabling chemical reactions that require uniform, gentle heating.
A water bath operates with an electric heating element and a thermostat that maintain water at a set temperature. Samples are placed in containers (such as test tubes or beakers) and partially submerged, ensuring consistent heat transfer and uniform heating, which is critical for temperature-sensitive experiments.
Shaking Water Bath
For liquid flow, the shaking characteristic of the water bath is more accurately regulated. The shaking is controlled by an on/off switch. Frequent shaking enables liquid-grown cell cultures to continuously mingle with the air in microbiological procedures. High-precision temperature control, simple temperature adjustment, a clear and accurate indication, and exceptional and reliable performance are some of the benefits of the Shaking Water Bath. The workshop is equipped with lighting equipment to facilitate experimental observation. To distribute heat more evenly, the cabinet is equipped with a forced-air convection device and a fan.
This kind of water bath has several advantages, such as easy-to-use keypad operation, simple bath drains, customizable shaking frequencies, etc.
Circulating Water Bath
Another name for it is a stirrer water bath. The water is appropriately circulating in the baths that have circulating water. For applications where the samples need to be kept at a constant or uniform temperature, stirrers or circulating water baths could be helpful. In order to effectively and consistently achieve and maintain the appropriate water temperatures needed for the chilling or heating of samples and reagents, the circulating water bath uses continuously circulating water. It makes it possible to quickly heat or cool samples over a broad temperature range. For these goals, serologic and enzymatic tests may be employed. A more stable temperature results from adequate circulation.
Non-circulating Water Bath
Instead of heating the water evenly, these lab water baths use the convection principle. Consequently, the water bath’s ability to regulate temperature is less precise. In order to improve heat transmission, we can also add accessories to stir the water bath. Up to 99.9 °C, water baths are safe to use. It is possible to employ alternatives when the temperature is higher than 100 °C.
Polycarbonate Water Bath
There is a regulated heating system inside the bath. The translucent polycarbonate container has a temperature of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Analog and Digital water bath
Analog water baths are the most basic type. It is easy to use and reasonably priced. It just has a few problems, though. The first problem is that the digital water bath is more accurate than the analog one. Beyond that, there isn’t a display board. This will make the actual temperature of the water invisible.
Working mechanism of analog Water Bath
The primary indicator will illuminate after the machine is powered on. The thermostat will then receive the current. The water immersion heater will get the current from the thermostat. If the water’s temperature falls below the set threshold, the thermostat will allow current to flow through the heating rod. As a result, the water will begin to warm. When the water temperature reaches the set point, the thermostat will turn off. Thus, no current will flow to the heating rod. At that point, the water begins to cool. Additionally, the heating indicator will cease to light.
Digital Water Bath
A digital water bath is a more advanced form of analog water bath. It’s very expensive. On the other hand, it is easy to use. This is a more accurate version. Likewise, it features a display board that lets the user see the actual water temperature in the bath.
Working Mechanism of Digital Water Bath
The water immersion heater is controlled by a combination of the PID controller and solid-state relay (SSR). If the water temperature falls below the preset level, the controller will provide the relay with a specific DC voltage. The AC will flow to the heating rod after the relay is activated. The heater then begins to warm the water. When the water’s real temperature gets close to the intended level, the PID controller will continuously turn on and off the relay. As a result, the heating rod will alternate between ON and OFF continually.
Thus, with a fluctuation of no more than 1°C, the water bath helps to maintain a result that is almost exact. A resistance temperature detector (RTD) is used by the sensor to determine the water’s temperature. After that, the temperature is transformed into a resistance value and sent to the controller. The controller will compare this incoming signal to the predetermined value.
Controls of a Laboratory Water Bath
Temperature controller: All water baths come with a temperature controller, which can be dial or digital.
Safety controller: In most water baths, a safety controller is attached to the indication light or located above the temperature controller. The maximum temperature that the water bath should achieve is determined with the use of a safety controller. If the water bath somehow reaches the temperature set by the safety controller, the safety light will illuminate. A water bath cannot reach a temperature higher than the safety parameters, even with a higher temperature.
Shaking controller: It could allow us to turn on the shaker, accelerate, or decelerate.
