Official UK Distributor for Brooks Instrument
BKW Instruments is the official UK distributor for Brooks Instrument, providing customers across the UK with access to Brooks’ industry-leading range of precision mass flow controllers, mass flow meters and gas flow measurement solutions.
With a focus on precision flow control and technical expertise, we work with customers to identify the best Brooks Instrument solution for their specific application. From initial product selection and specification through to pricing, availability and ongoing technical support.
Supercompact Gas Flow Control for Benchtop and Laboratory Systems
When equipment space is limited, a mass flow controller needs to deliver reliable performance without adding unnecessary size or complexity.
The Brooks Instrument GC Series Mass Flow Controller brings precise, stable gas flow measurement and control into an ultra-compact package. Available as the GC50 and GC51, the GC Series is designed for non-GMP tabletop biotechnology equipment, laboratory systems and cost-sensitive OEM platforms.
Using thermal MEMS technology, the GC Series combines practical gas flow control with a 100:1 turndown ratio, analog and Modbus RTU connectivity, and in-situ verification and recalibration using Brooks Calibration Application Tool (BCAT) software.
With a compact footprint and flow capability up to 5,000 sccm, the GC Series provides a practical solution for equipment manufacturers and system designers looking to integrate reliable gas flow control into space-constrained systems.
Precision Where It Matters
For laboratory and OEM equipment, consistent gas flow can be an important part of maintaining stable process conditions.
Small changes in gas flow can affect equipment operation, process repeatability and gas delivery. The Brooks GC Series is designed to provide stable, repeatable mass flow control across its specified operating range, giving equipment designers a compact way to manage gas delivery.
Key Performance Benefits
Ultra-Compact 20 × 40 × 60 mm Footprint
Designed for systems where every millimetre matters, the GC Series provides mass flow control in a highly compact form factor.
100:1 Turndown Ratio
A wide control range allows the GC Series to accommodate changing flow requirements using a single device. Potentially simplifying equipment design and reducing the need for multiple flow-control devices or configurations.
Stable and Repeatable Flow Control
The GC Series provides flow accuracy of 1.5% of set point ±0.5% of full scale, with ±0.25% set-point repeatability. This combination of accuracy and repeatability provides dependable gas flow control for laboratory and pilot applications where consistent flow is important.
In-Situ Verification and Recalibration
Using Brooks BCAT software, the GC Series can be verified and recalibrated in situ within the device’s specified limits. This capability can help reduce downtime and minimise the need to remove installed flow controllers for supported verification and recalibration activities.
<0.005 sccm leak-by
Low leak-by can help minimise unwanted gas flow when the controller is closed, supporting process integrity and more effective gas shut-off.
Maximum Performance. Minimal Footprint.
Modern laboratory and OEM equipment is becoming increasingly compact. Engineers are often required to integrate more functionality into smaller systems while maintaining reliable performance.
The Brooks Instrument GC Series has been designed with this requirement in mind.
The GC50 measures just 20 × 40 × 60 mm, providing a compact mass flow controller option where conventional MFCs may be difficult to accommodate.
The GC51 provides the same core control technology with a larger flow capability of up to 5,000 sccm.
For benchtop equipment, laboratory systems and OEM platforms, the compact GC Series footprint can provide greater freedom when designing system architecture and positioning gas flow-control components.
Small equipment does not have to mean compromised gas flow control.
Designed for Easy Integration
The GC Series is designed to provide straightforward integration into laboratory and OEM equipment.
Analog I/O
The GC Series supports a range of analog communication options, including:
- 0–5 V
- 0–10 V
- 0–20 mA
- 4–20 mA
These options allow the controller to be incorporated into a range of conventional control and instrumentation architectures.
Modbus RTU via RS-485
For systems requiring digital communication, the GC Series supports Modbus RTU via RS-485.
This provides an additional option for equipment manufacturers integrating the mass flow controller into digitally controlled systems.
Flexible Gas Flow Control in a Compact Package
The GC Series is available in two models, allowing equipment designers to select the flow capacity that best matches their applications.
GC50
The GC50 provides a full-scale flow range of 210–1,500 sccm.
With its 20 × 40 × 60 mm body dimensions, it is particularly suited to applications where both compact installation and controlled gas flow are important.
GC51
The GC51 extends the full-scale flow capability to 5,000 sccm.
It provides the same 100:1 control range and core GC Series technology while accommodating applications requiring higher gas flow.
Designed For Benchtop, Laboratory and OEM Applications
The Brooks Instrument GC Series is designed for applications where compact dimensions and dependable gas flow control are important.
Benchtop Bioreactors
Benchtop bioreactors often need precise gas delivery within a compact equipment footprint. The GC Series provides controlled gas flow in a small package, making it suitable for benchtop biotechnology equipment where space is limited.
Lab-Scale Fermentation Systems
Gas flow can be an important part of laboratory-scale fermentation systems. The GC Series provides repeatable gas flow control while allowing designers to keep the flow-control hardware compact.
Media Preparation Systems
Media preparation equipment can require controlled gas delivery as part of laboratory or bioprocessing workflows. The GC Series provides a compact option for integrating gas flow measurement and control into these systems.
Analytical Equipment
Analytical equipment often combines multiple components within a relatively small enclosure. The compact dimensions of the GC Series can help equipment designers integrate gas flow control without unnecessarily increasing system size.
Medical and Respiratory Analysers
Gas flow measurement and control can be required within analytical and respiratory equipment. The GC Series provides controlled gas flow in a compact package, making it suitable for applications where equipment size and repeatable flow control are important design considerations.
Cost-Sensitive OEM Platforms
OEM equipment manufacturers need to balance performance, system size, integration requirements and overall equipment cost. The GC Series combines thermal MEMS technology, a 100:1 control range, flexible communications and in-situ verification and recalibration capability in a compact package. This makes it a practical option for OEM platforms where advanced functionality beyond the application’s requirements is not necessary.
Find The Right GC Configuration For Your Application
Every gas flow-control application has different requirements. Selecting the correct mass flow controller configuration is important to ensure that the instrument is suitable for the required operating conditions.
When specifying a Brooks Instrument GC Series MFC, our team can help you assess:
- Required flow range
- Gas or gas mixture
- Required turndown
- Operating pressure
- Inlet and outlet pressure
- Accuracy and repeatability requirements
- Analog or Modbus communication requirements
- Mechanical connection
- Available installation space
- Operating temperature
- Application-specific requirements
The GC Series is available with several connection options, including ¼” tube compression, ¼” VCR and 6 mm tube compression, as well as configurations without fittings.
Not sure which GC configuration you need?
Talk to the BKW Instruments team and we’ll help you identify the most appropriate Brooks Instrument solution for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Brooks Instrument GC Mass Flow Controller?
The Brooks Instrument GC Series is a thermal mass flow controller designed to measure and control gas flow in benchtop, laboratory and OEM systems. The series comprises the GC50 and GC51 models.
What is the flow range of the Brooks GC Series?
The GC50 has a full-scale flow range of 210–1,500 sccm, while the GC51 has a full-scale flow range of 210–5,000 sccm. Both models provide a 100:1 control range.
How accurate is the GC Mass Flow Controller?
The GC Series has a stated flow accuracy of 1.5% of set point ±0.5% of full scale at calibration conditions, with ±0.25% set-point repeatability.
What communication options does the GC Series support?
The GC Series supports analog I/O options including 0–5 V, 0–10 V, 0–20 mA and 4–20 mA. It also supports RS-485 with Modbus RTU.
Can the Brooks GC Series be recalibrated in situ?
Yes. Brooks provides BCAT software for in-situ verification and recalibration of the GC Series within the device’s specified limits.
What applications is the GC Series designed for?
Brooks identifies applications including benchtop bioreactors, lab-scale fermentation systems, media preparation systems, analytical equipment, medical and respiratory analysers, and cost-sensitive OEM platforms.
What is the difference between the GC50 and GC51?
The main difference is full-scale flow capacity. The GC50 covers 210–1,500 sccm, while the GC51 covers 210–5,000 sccm.
How small is the Brooks GC Mass Flow Controller?
The GC50 has dimensions of approximately 20 × 40 × 60 mm. The GC51 is larger, with body dimensions of approximately 25 × 60 × 65 mm.
Speak to BKW Instruments today
Whether you already know that the Brooks Instrument GC Series is suitable for your application or need help selecting the right mass flow controller, BKW Instruments can help.
As the official UK distributor for Brooks Instrument, our experienced technical sales team can provide guidance on product selection, configuration and application requirements.
We can help you identify the appropriate GC50 or GC51 configuration based on your required flow range, gas, pressure, communication requirements and mechanical connections.
Sales@bkwinstruments.co.uk
0161 707 4838
