Discussion about Heating Problems with Heating Magnetic Stir

Hot Plate Magnetic Stirrer is mainly used in the fields of chemical synthesis, analytical
chemistry and life sciences. The major concern of heating function is the heating
speed, overheating protection and temperature stability. But the heating speed
invariably conflicts with increasing temperature, especially in an open environment
where this contradiction appears more difficult to balance for application of different
mediums and volumes. To meet the application needs of scientists, other customers
of such products, we employ a similar comprised control method-allowing a certain
degree of increase in temperature. As soon as the hotplate magnetic stirrer
temperature reaches the set temperature, the increase in temperature will not be
significant, only minor changes are observed in temperature, which will inevitably
mean that this is only nearby the target temperature as soon as practical (as shown in
Figure 1). This kind of products cannot reach the perfect standard temperature while
heating and stirring are done together.

At DLAB, we use water and silicone oil as medium for heating experiments under the
same temperature range.
Below are the results of such experiments (as shown in Figures 2-4)

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It can be seen from the experimental results that:

1.At 20℃, under same experimental conditions, heating of silicone oil takes relatively
short time in comparison to water and results in relatively large temperature increase,
because the specific heat of water(4.2 x 103J/Kg) is larger than the specific heat of
silicone oil(2.49 x 103J/Kg). A substance with less specific heat capacity is slow to
dissipate heat and faster to increase the temperature with a large temperature rise
when the same heat is applied.

2.When the target temperature is set at 40℃ and 80℃ respectively, it takes less time
to reach these target temperatures respectively with silicone oil is used as medium
and it takes more time in case water is used as medium. The specific heat of silicone
oil will decrease to 1.63 x 103J/Kg as it reaches 100℃ whereas the specific heat of
water remains unchanged. Heating medium with smaller specific heat capacity heats
faster under same heating conditions.

3.Under the same experimental conditions, if the heating is performed at different

volumes with silicone oil and water as medium, it is observed that the smaller the

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volume, the shorter the time required reaching the target temperature and larger is the
increase in temperature.

In general, the ambient temperature, surface area / volume of container, specific heat
of heating medium, the difference between the set temperature and external ambient
temperature will all affect the heating speed, ability to control increase in temperature
and temperature stability. Therefore in certain applications, overheating protection is
important.

In applications where overheating protection is important, it is recommended to

consider the below suggestions:

(1) Ensure that the medium temperature is stable before you place the sample.

(2) Initially, set the heating temperature lower than the desired temperature and
gradually increase it to the required target temperature after the temperature attains
stability.

In applications where the time taken to reach target temperature, it is recommended

to consider the below suggestions:

(1) Using thermal insulation measures in the heating process, such as protective
cover

(2) Initially, set the heating temperature higher than the desired temperature and
gradually decrease it to the required target temperature while the heating medium
approaches the target temperature.

In addition, to achieve the best possible heat transfer, it is advisable to use containers
with bottom which fits exactly on the instrument workplate for efficient heat transfer.

DLAB SCIENTIFIC CO., LTD

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