With a large temperature range
KB series
Show productsAll you need to know about refrigerated incubators
Definition
What is a refrigerated incubator?
A refrigerated incubator, also known as a cooling incubator, is an incubator that is capable of both heating and cooling. This temperature-controlled system enables samples to be incubated or stored in a cooling incubator both above and below ambient temperature. Refrigerated incubators are used in microbiology and are part of standard laboratory equipment. Stable incubation conditions are essential when working with microorganisms. The units used therefore have to guarantee exact and constant temperatures.
Structure
Structure and function of a refrigerated incubator
A cooling incubator features an interior (usable space) in which the required temperature is regulated and maintained.
The impressively consistent temperature across all racks in BINDER refrigerated incubators is a result of the double-sided horizontal air flow. The air is sucked backward into the double rear wall by a fan. In the rear of the incubator, which is not part of the usable space, the air is reconditioned and therefore adjusted to the set temperature before it is directed to the sides through the perforated side walls and back into the usable space. This double-sided horizontal air flow achieves homogeneous and stable temperatures in BINDER units. A glass inner door provides a view of the samples without affecting the atmosphere in the interior.
Refrigerated incubator applications
Cooling incubators are used in various sectors and areas of microbiology, such as in pharmaceutical and medical research, in the food industry, and in environmental monitoring. Other applications include battery research and development in which cooling incubators are used as “climate chambers without humidity regulation.”
Microbiological applications
- Life sciences, medicine: basic research, medical research
- Pharmaceutical research: drug research (generally cell culture, but also microbiology)
- Food industry: sterility tests and colony count (sterility, bioburden)
- Approved testing bodies: drinking water analyses
- Pharmaceutical production: environmental monitoring, water analyses
Industrial applications
- Energy storage industry: battery research and development: Energized electrical components with heat loss are tested under constant temperatures.
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry: swing tests of ointments and emulsions (freeze-thaw stability testing)
Substances such as ointments and emulsions for pharmaceutical or cosmetic purposes are subjected to thermal stability tests. The tests involve generating temperatures below zero °C and above 20°C and alternating between them.
Standards for working with refrigerated incubators
The guidelines for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulate the applications that are carried out with cooling incubators.
In the pharmaceutical industry, the requirements of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) are described in FDA Regulation 21 CFR Part 11. They regulate how to handle measuring instruments, which must be calibrated and tested at specific intervals.
You will find everything you need to know about GLP in our whitepaper: “Good Laboratory Practice – What is behind all this?”
Installation and qualification for BINDER cooling incubators:
In total, the refrigerated incubator goes through three steps during validation:
Selection criteria when buying a refrigerated incubator
There are compressor-based refrigerated incubators, which work with refrigerants, and thermoelectric cooling-based units, which heat and cool thermoelectrically. Each of these technologies meets different requirements and is therefore suitable for different applications. Units with thermoelectric cooling are more environmentally friendly and quieter. They also use significantly less energy than models with a compressor. Compressor-based units are the better choice for applications significantly below the ambient temperature or with heat input. Which technology is most suitable always depends on the needs of the users and which application is required.
The air movement is crucial for consistent temperature distribution inside the incubator. Double-sided horizontal air flow allows for particularly homogeneous distribution in BINDER units. The air is extracted into the double rear wall by a fan and returned back into the usable space after reconditioning. The air is distributed evenly in the usable space via small perforations in the side walls and therefore flows evenly over the test materials from both sides.
In BINDER refrigerated incubators, the temperature can be programmed so that it is lowered to refrigeration levels, e.g., 4°C, at defined times. The incubator then functions as a “weekend refrigerator” and the samples do not have to be transferred to a separate refrigerator.
Depending on the load – for example, if there are a large number of agar plates – a lot of moisture can develop inside the chamber, which ultimately can result in condensation. To ensure optimum culture growth in such cases, BINDER units feature the “condensation protection” function that removes excess moisture from the sample chamber. This function can be adjusted via the controller to an intensity of between 0 and 100 percent. An intensity of 40 percent is suitable for most applications.
Cooling incubators from BINDER are designed to be exceptionally tightly sealed and the interior is completely separate from the outside environment, meaning that the temperature inside remains stable. As a result, samples such as agar plates are protected from drying out even if they are kept in the incubator for an extended period of time. When working with small quantities of samples, it is also advisable to set the condensation protection function to a low value.
Refrigerated incubators for every application
Models
BINDER offers an extensive range of refrigerated incubators. The units are available in seven different sizes and with different temperature ranges. Before purchasing, you need to analyze in detail the application for which you need the unit. In each case, a cooling incubator should guarantee precise and homogeneous temperatures and failsafe operation over the long term.
The double-sided horizontal air flow ensures consistent temperature distribution in all BINDER cooling incubators – even when the chamber is fully loaded.
The KB series with a temperature range from 0°C to +70°C provides precise incubation even when fully loaded and is ideally suited to incubating microorganisms. It features a hot-air disinfection routine at 100°C and can be programmed for weekend operation.
With a temperature range from -20°C to +100°C, the KB PRO series is our most powerful series of cooling incubators. It features comprehensive programming options and covers a wide range of applications. When equipped with the additionally available light modules, the units are suitable for ICH photostability tests or as a plant growth chamber.
Series with thermoelectric cooling are environmentally friendly and save energy. The KT series has a temperature range from +4°C to +100°C, while the KB ECO features a temperature range from 0°C to +70°C, and the thermoelectric cooling used in both units allows them to work in a climate-neutral manner without refrigerant. The floor-standing KB ECO series is also highly energy-efficient as a result of its patented heat dissipation technology.
