Alternative to the Vinci RC4500
Why laboratories compare
Laboratories look for an alternative to the RC4500 when they need a second qualified source for a six-place refrigerated centrifuge, when delivery time or budget rules out the incumbent, or when the test programme calls for longer plugs, larger receiving tubes or a specific holder arrangement written into the project specification.
Coretest Capillary Pressure Refrigerated Centrifuge LERC4500 vs Vinci RC4500
| Coretest Capillary Pressure Refrigerated Centrifuge LERC4500 | Vinci RC4500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core holders | 6 | Up to 6 |
| Plug diameter | 1 in, 30 mm or 1.5 in | 1 in, 30 mm or 1.5 in |
| Plug length | Up to 4 in in atmospheric holders; up to 2.5 in in overburden holders | Not stated |
| Receiving tubes | 10 mL and 32 mL, calibrated | 13 cc and 28 cc |
| Speed range | 50 to 4,500 rpm, ±1 rpm, speed ramp | 50 to 4,500 rpm, ±1 rpm, step overshoot ≤5 rpm, acceleration 1 to 1,000 rpm/min |
| Rotor radius / RCF | Outer radius 26 cm; up to 5,818 ×g | Large radius 23 cm; RCF not stated (about 5,200 ×g calculated at 4,500 rpm) |
| Temperature | 5 °C (at standstill) to 90 °C, two at-sample sensors | 5 °C (at 0 rpm) to 90 °C |
| Readout | Digital camera, 5488 × 3672 px; interface better than 0.01 mL on a 10 mL tube | Digital camera synchronized with the tachometer, all six holders imaged at every rotation; resolution not stated |
| Overburden | Option: hydrostatic holders, 5,000 psi confining, 1,450 psi pore pressure, set before the run; no release between drainage and imbibition | Option: holders to 5,000 psi; switch from drainage to imbibition without releasing confining pressure |
| Pore pressure module | Pore pressure up to 1,450 psi in the overburden option | Separate module: overburden and pore pressure up to 5,000 psi each |
| Interpretation software | Acquisition software converts interface position to produced volume; production versus time for relative permeability | Hassler–Brunner, Forbes, Hagoort; curve fitting; numerical history matching for Pc and Kr |
| Safety | Imbalance, rotor identification, overspeed, over-temperature, lid interlock | Rotor imbalance sensor |
| Power | 400 V, 3 phase + N | 400 V 3~ + N (50/60 Hz) or 208 V 3~ + N (60 Hz) |
| Size / weight | 973 × 813 × 1015 mm / 450 kg | Not stated |
| Supply | Configured to order | Catalog product |
“Not stated” means the figure is not given in the manufacturer's published material; it does not mean the feature is absent.
What the differences mean in practice
Capillary pressure range. At the same 4,500 rpm the longer 26 cm arm of the LERC4500 gives about 13 % more centrifugal acceleration at the outer face than a 23 cm arm, and for a 2 in plug about 15 % more inlet-face capillary pressure at the same speed. Both machines stay in the low-speed class, where speed holds steadily and the camera reads a clean interface.
Plugs and tubes. Both accept 1 in, 30 mm and 1.5 in plugs. The LERC4500 publishes plug length up to 4 in and a 32 mL tube, useful for long, high-porosity plugs where produced volume exceeds a 28 cc tube.
Reservoir conditions. Both offer 5,000 psi overburden holders. If your study needs pore pressure above 1,450 psi, for example CO2 or H2 storage work at reservoir pore pressure, the RC4500 pore-pressure module publishes 5,000 psi and is the closer fit today.
Software. Vinci publishes a full interpretation package with Hagoort and history matching. The LERC4500 delivers the production data per holder and step; many laboratories already run their own Pc and Kr interpretation and only need clean data.
Who each is for
A six-place refrigerated capillary pressure centrifuge configured to your plug sizes and tubes, with a long rotor arm, a high-resolution camera and optional overburden holders; or a second source next to an existing RC4500.
Laboratories that need pore pressure to 5,000 psi at reservoir temperature, a 208 V / 60 Hz supply, or an integrated interpretation package from one vendor.
Moving an existing RC4500 method
Send your speed schedule, plug dimensions, fluid pair and tube sizes. Coretest recalculates the step speeds for the 26 cm rotor so each step gives the same inlet-face capillary pressure as your current method, and flags any step where tube volume or plug length needs a different holder.
Questions
Can the LERC4500 reproduce RC4500 capillary pressure steps?
Yes, by speed. Pc depends on rotor radius and speed; with a 26 cm arm the same Pc is reached at a slightly lower rpm. The step table is recalculated for your plug length and fluid densities.
Does the LERC4500 measure during rotation?
Yes. A digital camera images the receiving tube of each holder while the rotor turns, and the software converts the interface position into produced volume.
Is pore pressure available?
Pore pressure up to 1,450 psi is available with the overburden holders. Higher pore pressure is not part of the current scope.
Running capillary pressure on six plugs at once?
Send the rock type, plug size, fluid pair, target capillary pressure and temperature. We will match them to a rotor and configuration.
Request a quote← Coretest Capillary Pressure Refrigerated Centrifuge LERC4500: description and specification
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Trademark notice: Vinci Technologies and the model names referenced on this page are trademarks of their respective owners. Coretest is not affiliated with, authorized, endorsed or sponsored by these companies. Comparisons are based on each manufacturer's published brochures and product pages as of 28 September 2026 and are provided for engineering evaluation only. Specifications change; verify current data with each vendor before purchase.
