Circulators and Chillers — Low-Temperature Circulators, Cooling Baths, and Visibility Baths
KB Scientific Instruments supplies the complete Tamson circulator and chiller line used to power, cool, and support petroleum and fuel test instruments, from compact 5-liter general-purpose circulators to an 88-degree cooling cube and a 70-liter low-temperature visibility bath. These units replace external tap water cooling, extend other Tamson baths below ambient temperature, or serve as standalone visibility and sample preparation baths in their own right. Each model is selected by working temperature range, bath volume, and pump performance to match the specific instrument or process it supports.
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Circulators, Chillers, and Visibility Baths That Support the Full Testing Workflow
Refinery laboratories, fuel testing facilities, and independent petroleum testing laboratories use this line both as standalone instruments and as the cooling source that lets other method-specific Tamson baths reach their required test temperature.
The line divides by working temperature range and function. The TLC15-5, TLC30-5, and TLC40-14 are compact general-purpose circulators that extend other baths below ambient or replace tap water cooling entirely. The TCC-B reaches the coldest working temperature in the line at -88°C. The TLB50 is a dedicated sample preparation bath, and the TV12LT-80 and TV7000LT are visibility baths purpose-built for kinematic viscosity determination at sub-ambient temperatures.
Refinery quality control laboratories, coolant formulators, asphalt producers, and independent petroleum testing laboratories rely on this instrument line to move directly from sample intake to method-compliant results without reconfiguring shared equipment between test types.
Built for Reliable Temperature Control Across a Wide Working Range
Compact Circulators for Extending Other Baths Below Ambient
The TLC15-5, TLC30-5, and TLC40-14 share a common 5-to-15-liter footprint and RS232 communication with free TamCom software, and each is commonly paired with a method-specific Tamson bath, such as the TLC15-5 supplying refrigerated flow to the ASTM D1298 hydrometer apparatus. Selecting between the three comes down to how low the paired application needs to run, from -15°C on the TLC15-5 down to -40°C on the TLC40-14.
Coldest Working Temperature in the Line
The TCC-B cooling cube reaches -88°C, the lowest temperature of any unit in this line, while remaining compact enough to fit under a workbench. A performance pump rated to 1 Bar and 16 liters per minute lets the TCC-B circulate bath fluid to an external application rather than only cooling its own internal bath.
Dedicated Sample Preparation Bath for Conditioning Ahead of Testing
The TLB50 holds up to twelve 1-liter bottles and conditions samples between -5°C and 80°C ahead of tests such as ASTM D323 Reid vapor pressure, ASTM D5 bitumen penetration, or ASTM D86 distillation. A wide bath opening and adjustable rack accommodate different sample bottle sizes without swapping equipment.
Ultra-Low-Temperature Visibility Bath for Aviation Fuel Viscosity
The TV12LT-80 combines a -85°C working range with a heated viewing window and variable-speed stirrer, purpose-built for kinematic viscosity determination of aviation fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, and lubricants under ASTM D445 down to -85°C. The stirrer speed adjusts as bath liquid becomes more viscous at low temperatures to maintain stable control.
Large-Capacity Visibility Bath for Multi-Sample Viscosity Runs
The TV7000LT offers a 70-liter bath volume with seven standard viscometer positions, expandable to eight with an optional cover, for laboratories running multiple kinematic viscosity samples under ASTM D445 or ASTM D2162 at once. Heated windows prevent condensate buildup while keeping the full bath contents visible.
Consistent Safety and Communication Features Across the Line
Every circulator and bath in this line conforms to CE regulation and includes a mechanical resettable safety thermostat, and all seven models offer RS232 communication compatible with free TamCom software for temperature logging or programmed set point curves.
Choose the Circulator or Chiller for Your Application
The Tamson TV12LT-80 is a low-temperature visibility bath with space for three viscometer holders
A variable-speed stirrer, and heated windows that prevent condensate buildup. The bath conforms to ASTM D445, IP 71, ISO 3104, IP EM PJ, IEC 61868, ASTM D2386, and ASTM D2532, and is specially designed for kinematic viscosity determination of aviation fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, and lubricants down to -85°C.
Bath volume: 12 L
Range: -85°C/-121°F to 20°C/68°F
Stability: better than 0.02°C
Cooldown to -80°C: approximately 1 hr 40 min
00T0510 (230V, 50Hz)
00T0515 (230V, 60Hz)
The Tamson TLC15-5 is a compact, robust low-temperature circulator offering refrigeration and heating in a single unit
For internal and external applications ,Commonly used to replace tap water cooling or to supply refrigerated flow to other Tamson baths such as the ASTM D1298 hydrometer apparatus.
Bath volume: 5 L
Range: -15°C to +60°C (-15°C to +120°C on request)
Stability: 0.02°C
Power: 1.4 kW
00T0565 (230V, 50Hz)
00T0567 (230V, 60Hz)
00T0570 (115V, 60Hz)
The Tamson TLC30-5 shares the same compact footprint and RS232 communication as the TLC15-5
But extends the working range down to -30°C, suiting applications that need a colder external circulation source without stepping up to the TLC40-14.
Bath volume: 5 L
Range: -30°C to +60°C (-30°C to +120°C on request)
Stability: 0.02°C
Power: 1.4 kW
00T0555 (230V, 50Hz)
00T0562 (230V, 60Hz)
00T0560 (115V, 60Hz)
The Tamson TLC40-14 is a powerful, fully stainless steel circulator
Built for fast cooldown and ASTM CFPP-style low-temperature testing, mounted on wheels for easy transport and fitted with electronic low fluid level detection.
Bath volume: 14–15 L
Range: -40°C to +20°C (-45°C extended range optional)
Stability: better than 0.05°C
Power: 2.4 kW
00T0520 (230V, 50Hz)
00T0522 (230V, 60Hz)
00T0525 (115V, 60Hz)
The Tamson TLB50 is a thawing and conditioning bath sized for up to twelve 1-liter bottles
Used to bring samples to a specified temperature ahead of methods such as ASTM D323 Reid vapor pressure, ASTM D5 bitumen penetration, or ASTM D86 distillation. A wide bath opening accepts a fixed or split leveling platform and an adjustable bottle rack.
Bath volume: 50 L
Range: -5°C to +80°C
Stability: 0.02°C
Power: nominal 800 W, maximum 3000 W
00T0072 / 00T0071 / 00T0073 (stirrer models, by voltage)
00T0076 / 00T0075 / 00T0077 (pump models, by voltage)
The Tamson Cool Cube (TCC-B) is a powerful, compact low-temperature circulator reaching -88°C
Equipped with a performance pump rated to 1 Bar and 16 liters per minute for circulating bath fluid to an external application. The unit ships on wheels with a status panel for compressor and overpressure monitoring.
Bath volume: 11 L
Range: -88°C/-126°F to ambient
Stability: better than 0.05°C
Power: 1.5–2.6 kW max
00T0671 (230V, 50-60Hz)
00T0861 (115V, 60Hz)
The Tamson TV7000LT is a wide, large-capacity visibility bath with integrated cooling
Offering seven standard viscometer positions under ASTM D445 and ASTM D2162, expandable to eight positions with an optional cover. Heated windows keep the bath contents fully visible without condensate buildup.
Bath volume: 70 L
Range: -40°C to +100°C
Stability: better than 0.02°C
Power: 3.1 kW
00T0450 (230V, 50Hz)
230V/60Hz and 115V/60Hz on request
Specifications at a Glance
Range
-85°C to 20°C
Range
Range
Range
TAMSON TCC-B COOLING CUBE
The coldest bath in this line, reaching -88°C while remaining compact enough to fit under a standard laboratory workbench.
The TLC15-5, TLC30-5, and TLC40-14 share a common compact circulator design, differing mainly in working temperature range, so a laboratory can standardize on one platform for spare parts across all three.
Stability
50 L
TCC-B Cooling Cube Bath and Circulator
11 L
TV7000LT Low Temperature Visibility Bath
70 L
Who Uses This Instrument Line
Refinery and Petroleum Testing Laboratories
Refinery QC labs use the TLC15-5, TLC30-5, and TLC40-14 circulators to supply refrigerated flow to hydrometer, corrosion, and density baths that require sub-ambient temperatures beyond what an internal heater can reach.
Aviation Fuel and Lubricant Viscosity Testing
Laboratories running kinematic viscosity determination on aviation fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, and lubricants use the TV12LT-80 for its -85°C range and heated window, or the TV7000LT for higher-volume multi-sample viscosity runs.
Asphalt and Bitumen Testing
Asphalt and bitumen laboratories use the TLB50 to condition samples ahead of penetration testing under ASTM D5, and pair the TLC15-5 or TCC-B with other Tamson baths for sub-ambient density and viscosity work.
Fuel Storage and Distribution Quality Control
Fuel terminals and distribution facilities use the TLB50 to condition gasoline samples for cold-temperature storage evaluation and the TCC-B or TLC40-14 to support Reid vapor pressure and cold-flow testing.
Independent Petroleum Testing Laboratories
Independent labs serving multiple refinery and fuel producer clients use this circulator and chiller line to support whichever method-specific Tamson bath a given client's test method calls for, without maintaining a separate cooling source per instrument.
Your Authorized Tamson Partner in the Midwest
Three things that set sourcing this instrument line through KB Scientific apart from buying direct or through a general lab supply distributor.
Authorized Tamson Representative
As an authorized Tamson representative, KB Scientific Instruments maintains a direct line to Tamson engineering for configuration questions, replacement parts, and warranty support across every circulator and bath in this line.
Method-Matched Configuration Guidance
Every inquiry starts with identifying which bath or apparatus the circulator will support and the temperature range that application requires, so the quoted model matches the paired instrument on the first order.
Local Midwest Support
Being Midwest-based allows KB Scientific to support installation, commissioning, and ongoing accessory ordering with shorter lead times than an overseas or coastal-only distributor.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What refinery QC analysts, viscosity testing labs, and fuel storage facilities ask most often about this instrument line.
How do I choose between the TLC15-5, TLC30-5, and TLC40-14?
The choice comes down primarily to the minimum working temperature the paired application needs, since the three circulators share a similar compact footprint and RS232 communication. The TLC15-5 covers -15°C to 60°C and suits applications like the ASTM D1298 hydrometer bath that only need modest sub-ambient cooling. The TLC30-5 extends to -30°C for colder applications, and the TLC40-14 reaches -40°C with a larger 14 to 15-liter bath volume and stronger compressor for faster cooldown. A laboratory unsure which range its test method requires should confirm the target temperature before ordering, since stepping up a model later means replacing rather than upgrading the unit.
Can the TCC-B or TLC40-14 circulate fluid to an external bath rather than only cooling internally?
Yes, both units are equipped with a performance pump designed for external circulation. The TCC-B pump reaches 1 Bar and 16 liters per minute, and the TLC40-14 offers an optional higher-capacity pump, P/N 24T0399, reaching up to 16 liters per minute at 1 Bar pressure. This makes either unit suitable as a dedicated cooling source for a separate bath that lacks its own refrigeration, rather than only serving as a standalone bath.
What is the TLB50 used for if it is not tied to one specific ASTM method?
The TLB50 is a sample conditioning and thawing bath rather than a test method instrument itself, used to bring a sample to a specified temperature before it goes into the actual test apparatus. Typical examples include conditioning a sample to 0 to 1°C ahead of an ASTM D323 Reid vapor pressure test, warming a bitumen sample ahead of ASTM D5 penetration testing, or holding gasoline at a controlled cold temperature for long-term storage evaluation. Because it supports the sample rather than the test itself, the TLB50 is useful across multiple test methods in a single laboratory rather than being dedicated to one.
What is the difference between the TV12LT-80 and the TV7000LT visibility baths?
The TV12LT-80 is a compact, ultra-low-temperature bath reaching -85°C with space for three viscometer holders, purpose-built for aviation fuel and lubricant viscosity work at very low temperatures. The TV7000LT is a much larger 70-liter bath offering seven standard viscometer positions, expandable to eight, and a working range of -40°C to +100°C, suited to laboratories running higher sample volumes or needing to cover both sub-zero and elevated test temperatures in one bath. A laboratory testing primarily aviation fuels at extreme cold typically chooses the TV12LT-80, while one running routine multi-sample viscosity batches across a wider range typically chooses the TV7000LT.
Do these circulators require an external cooling source of their own?
No, every model in this line is a self-contained circulator or chiller with its own compressor and refrigeration system, so none require a separate external cooling source to operate. Several models, including the TLC15-5, TLC30-5, TLC40-14, and TCC-B, are instead used as the external cooling source for other Tamson baths that lack built-in refrigeration. A laboratory only needs to confirm the paired bath’s required temperature and connection type when ordering one of these circulators for that purpose.
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Your Test Method
Request a Quote or Technical Consultation
With seven models spanning general-purpose circulation, ultra-low-temperature chilling, sample preparation, and visibility bath testing, the fastest path to the correct configuration is a short conversation about the working temperature range and the instrument or process it needs to support. KB Scientific’s applications team confirms compatibility before quoting so the first order matches the exact laboratory requirement.