VWR DW-HL398 Ultra Low Temperature Freezer (–86 °C)

Overview

The VWR DW-HL398 Ultra Low Temperature Freezer is a purpose-engineered, single-door upright freezer designed for long-term cryogenic storage of biological specimens, reagents, vaccines, plasma, and other temperature-sensitive life science materials. Operating at a stable setpoint down to –86 °C, it employs a cascade refrigeration system—comprising primary and secondary independent refrigerant circuits—to achieve deep-cold performance with enhanced thermal stability and reduced temperature fluctuation across the chamber. This architecture ensures uniform cold distribution and minimizes thermal stress during door openings or ambient load variations. Built to meet the stringent environmental control requirements of clinical biobanking, translational research labs, and regulated GxP environments, the DW-HL398 delivers consistent thermal integrity essential for preserving nucleic acid integrity, protein conformation, and cell viability over extended periods.

Key Features

• Stable operating range from –10 °C to –86 °C, with factory-calibrated setpoint accuracy of ±2 °C and chamber uniformity ≤ ±3 °C (at –80 °C, measured per IEC 61000-4-2)
• 398 L usable internal volume in an upright configuration optimized for rack-based sample organization and ergonomic access
• Robust stainless steel interior liner and high-density polyurethane insulation (≥120 mm thick) for low heat ingress and energy efficiency
• Microprocessor-based digital controller with dual-sensor monitoring (air + probe), real-time temperature logging, and configurable alarm thresholds (high/low, sensor failure, door open)
• Heavy-duty casters with locking mechanism and reinforced door hinge assembly rated for ≥100,000 cycles
• Compliance-ready design supporting audit trails, password-protected parameter modification, and optional external data interface (RS-485 or Ethernet)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DW-HL398 accommodates standard cryoboxes (e.g., 10 × 10 format), racked 2 mL cryovials, cryotubes, microtiter plates, and bulk plasma bags. Its chamber geometry supports both vertical rack stacking and horizontal tray loading configurations. The unit conforms to IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and IEC 61326-1 (EMC for Laboratory Equipment). While not certified as medical device under FDA 21 CFR Part 820, its operational parameters align with ISO 20387:2018 (Biobanking — General requirements for biobank operations) and support compliance with CAP, CLIA, and AABB accreditation criteria when integrated into documented storage SOPs. Optional validation packages (IQ/OQ/PQ protocols) are available for GLP/GMP-aligned deployment.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller logs temperature data at user-defined intervals (1–60 min) with onboard memory retaining ≥30 days of continuous records. Data export is supported via USB flash drive (CSV format) or optional network-enabled gateway for integration into centralized laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Alarm events—including door-open duration, temperature excursions, and power interruption—are timestamped and stored with priority flagging. For regulated environments, optional firmware upgrades enable 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures, audit trail generation, and role-based user access levels (Operator, Supervisor, Administrator).

Applications

• Cryopreservation of primary human tissues, PBMCs, stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines
• Long-term archival storage of genomic DNA, RNA, and cDNA libraries
• Stabilization of thermolabile enzymes, monoclonal antibodies, and diagnostic reagents
• Supporting clinical trial sample repositories requiring chain-of-custody integrity and temperature traceability
• Backup cold storage for ultra-low temperature applications where liquid nitrogen vapor-phase units are operationally impractical

FAQ

What is the recommended ambient operating environment for the DW-HL398?
The unit is rated for installation in rooms maintained between 10 °C and 32 °C with relative humidity ≤80% non-condensing. Adequate ventilation (minimum 15 cm clearance on all sides and rear) is required to ensure condenser heat dissipation.
Does the DW-HL398 support remote monitoring via network connection?
Yes—when equipped with the optional Ethernet module, it enables SNMP-based status polling, SMTP email alerts, and secure HTTPS web interface access for real-time monitoring and event notification.
Can this freezer be validated for use in GMP-regulated workflows?
Yes—VWR provides IQ/OQ documentation templates and supports third-party PQ execution. Full validation support requires coordination with qualified service partners and adherence to site-specific qualification protocols.
Is the interior fully accessible for cleaning and decontamination?
Yes—the seamless stainless steel liner, removable shelves, and absence of internal fasteners allow for thorough wipe-down with ethanol, hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV), or approved sporicidal agents without disassembly.
What refrigerants are used in the cascade system?
The primary circuit uses R404A (or R448A as retrofit option); the secondary circuit uses R23. Refrigerant selection complies with current EPA SNAP program guidelines and EU F-Gas Regulation Annex I restrictions.