Hanuo YC-1A Sliding-Drawer Chromatography Refrigerator

Overview

The Hanuo YC-1A Sliding-Drawer Chromatography Refrigerator is an engineered solution for laboratories requiring stable, precisely controlled low-temperature environments during chromatographic separation workflows—particularly those involving protein purification, affinity chromatography, ion exchange, or size-exclusion applications using systems such as Cytiva AKTA platforms. Designed to meet the spatial, thermal, and operational demands of modern bioprocessing labs, the YC-1A maintains a consistent temperature range of 1–10 °C with ±0.5 °C accuracy, minimizing thermal drift that could compromise column integrity, ligand binding kinetics, or sample stability. Its vertical architecture—1.7 m internal height and total external height under 2 m—ensures compatibility with standard laboratory doorways and elevator thresholds while accommodating tall chromatography columns and associated fluidic manifolds. Unlike general-purpose cold rooms or walk-in refrigerators, the YC-1A integrates application-specific features including reinforced sliding drawers, stainless steel corrosion resistance, and dedicated mounting infrastructure—making it a purpose-built platform rather than a repurposed storage unit.

Key Features

• High-capacity refrigeration system with imported compressor, delivering robust cooling performance and long-term operational reliability under continuous load;
• Full stainless steel interior chamber (AISI 304 grade), seamless-welded construction for ease of decontamination and resistance to organic solvents, buffers, and cleaning agents commonly used in chromatography;
• Double-layer tempered glass door with mechanical lock, providing full visual access without compromising thermal insulation or containment integrity;
• Two adjustable stainless steel column support rods and two open-frame heavy-duty shelves—optimized for secure placement of chromatography columns, fraction collectors, peristaltic pumps, and buffer reservoirs;
• Integrated LED illumination and UV-C sanitization lamp (254 nm), enabling routine cabinet sterilization between runs in accordance with GLP-compliant lab hygiene protocols;
• Dual-stage temperature monitoring with independent over-temperature and differential-temperature alarms—configurable to trigger audible/visual alerts and optional relay outputs for integration into facility monitoring systems;
• Low-temperature safety switch prevents accidental operation of non-rated peripherals (e.g., certain pumps or detectors) outside their specified thermal envelope;
• Four swivel casters with locking brakes ensure safe repositioning within shared lab spaces without requiring disassembly or service interruption;
• Standard 230 V AC / 50 Hz internal power outlets (IEC 60320 C13 type), rated for continuous use with low-voltage instrumentation and peripheral devices.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The YC-1A supports a broad spectrum of chromatographic workflows involving sensitive biological samples—including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant enzymes, viral vectors, and nucleic acid complexes—where thermal excursion may lead to aggregation, denaturation, or loss of activity. Its stainless steel interior complies with ISO 14644-1 Class 7 cleanroom-compatible surface finish standards, facilitating validation of cleaning procedures per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 1 requirements. While not certified as a medical device or GMP-grade environmental chamber, the unit’s design aligns with common laboratory quality frameworks: temperature uniformity is validated across the working volume per ASTM E742-20 (Standard Practice for Calibration of Temperature-Controlled Environmental Chambers), and alarm logs—when paired with optional RS-232 data logging—support audit-ready traceability for QC/QA documentation. The cabinet is suitable for use in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories where environmental control is defined in method validation protocols.

Software & Data Management

The YC-1A operates via an embedded microprocessor-based controller with digital PID temperature regulation and real-time display of setpoint, actual chamber temperature, and alarm status. While the base configuration does not include proprietary software, the optional RS-232 serial interface enables bidirectional communication with third-party laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or building automation platforms (BMS). When integrated, this interface supports scheduled temperature logging, remote alarm notification via email/SNMP traps, and export of time-stamped temperature history files (CSV format) for inclusion in electronic batch records. All alarm events—including door-open duration, temperature deviation exceedance, and power interruption—are timestamped and stored in non-volatile memory for minimum 30-day retention, satisfying basic data integrity expectations under ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available).

Applications

• AKTA Explorer, AKTA Pure, and AKTA avant system housing with uninterrupted column equilibration and fraction collection at defined low temperatures;
• Preparative FPLC and HPLC operations requiring ambient-independent thermal control for gradient stability and detector baseline consistency;
• Long-duration affinity capture steps where ligand–analyte binding affinity is temperature-sensitive (e.g., His-tag/Ni-NTA, Protein A/G, or lectin-based purifications);
• Cold-chain staging of purified fractions prior to lyophilization, dialysis, or immediate downstream analysis (e.g., SEC-MALS, DLS, or mass spectrometry);
• Storage of temperature-labile reagents including protease inhibitors, phosphatase inhibitors, and cold-active enzymes;
• Controlled environment for crystallization trials, electrophoresis gel casting, or RNA extraction workflows where ambient fluctuation impacts reproducibility.

FAQ

What is the maximum weight capacity of the sliding drawer tray?
Each sliding drawer tray is rated for a static load of up to 125 kg, engineered to support fully assembled AKTA systems with buffer bottles, fraction collectors, and associated tubing.
Can the YC-1A be installed in a room without external ventilation?
Yes—the unit uses a self-contained air-cooled condenser system and requires only 150 mm clearance on all sides for adequate heat dissipation; no ducting or external exhaust is necessary.
Is the UV-C lamp programmable or manually operated?
The UV-C sanitization lamp is manually activated via a dedicated front-panel switch and includes a safety interlock that deactivates the lamp when the door is opened.
Does the cabinet meet any international electrical safety standards?
The YC-1A conforms to IEC 61010-1:2010 for safety requirements of electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use, and carries CE marking for EMC and LVD directives.
Can multiple YC-1A units be networked for centralized monitoring?
When equipped with RS-232 interfaces, units can be daisy-chained via serial multiplexer or connected individually to a central PC running terminal emulation or custom SCADA software for aggregated status reporting.