Hanuo HWS-600 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator

Overview

The Hanuo HWS-600 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator is an engineered environmental simulation platform designed for reproducible, long-term biological and microbiological experimentation under tightly regulated thermal and hygrometric conditions. It operates on a dual-loop control architecture: a PID-regulated refrigeration and heating system maintains precise temperature setpoints across the chamber volume, while an independently controlled ultrasonic humidification module—coupled with a high-capacity humidity generator and condensation-resistant air distribution ducting—ensures stable relative humidity (RH) delivery within the 20–95 %RH range. The unit’s forced-air circulation system, constructed entirely from electropolished AISI 304 stainless steel, eliminates thermal stratification and supports uniform environmental distribution (±0.5 °C temperature uniformity), critical for BOD assays, seed germination studies, cell culture preconditioning, and stability testing of pharmaceutical intermediates per ICH Q1 guidelines.

Key Features

• Ultrasonic humidification system delivering rapid RH response, low mineral deposition, and consistent moisture dispersion without water pan evaporation artifacts.
• Dual-door design with triple-pane low-emissivity insulated glass minimizes thermal bridging and reduces external heat ingress—critical for energy-efficient operation in ambient lab environments fluctuating between 15–35 °C.
• Hermetically sealed compressor with programmable delayed startup and integrated high/low pressure safety cutoffs ensures refrigeration system longevity and operational continuity during voltage fluctuations or extended unattended runs.
• Stainless steel internal chamber and air ducting resist corrosion from repeated sterilization cycles (e.g., hydrogen peroxide vapor or ethanol wiping) and comply with ISO 14644-1 Class 7 cleanroom-compatible surface requirements.
• Microprocessor-based controller with real-time data logging (optional SD card interface) supports up to 10 user-defined programs, each with multi-segment ramp-soak profiles for temperature and humidity.
• Comprehensive safety suite includes independent over-temperature cutout (mechanical backup), PT100 sensor fault detection, door-open alarm with audible/visual alert, and power-fail recovery mode.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HWS-600 accommodates standard laboratory vessels—including Petri dishes, multi-well plates, Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 2 L), and stacked tissue culture racks—without airflow obstruction. Its interior dimensions (W × D × H: 850 × 650 × 1100 mm) support modular shelving (adjustable in 30-mm increments) and optional perforated stainless steel trays for enhanced vapor exchange. The incubator meets key regulatory expectations for environmental control instrumentation: its temperature and humidity sensors are traceable to NIST-certified references; calibration certificates (per ISO/IEC 17025) are available upon request. While not intrinsically certified for GMP manufacturing, the device is routinely deployed in GLP-compliant laboratories for OECD 301/305 biodegradability testing, USP / microbial limits validation, and EPA Method 524.2 sample holding protocols.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller supports RS-485 Modbus RTU communication for integration into centralized lab monitoring systems (e.g., Siemens Desigo, Schneider EcoStruxure). Optional Ethernet-enabled firmware upgrade enables secure HTTP(S) access for remote parameter adjustment, real-time graphing of temperature/humidity trends, and automated CSV export of time-stamped logs (1-min resolution). Audit trail functionality—compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated user authentication modules—records all configuration changes, alarm events, and manual overrides with operator ID and timestamp. Data integrity is preserved via non-volatile memory with battery-backed clock and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) verification on stored logs.

Applications

• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) analysis per APHA Standard Methods 5210B, maintaining 20.0 ± 0.5 °C and 90–95 %RH for 5-day incubation of seeded dilution water samples.
• Plant phenotyping and controlled-environment agriculture trials requiring diurnal temperature/humidity cycling (e.g., 25/18 °C day/night with 70/85 %RH).
• Microbial growth curve determination for QC release testing of raw materials in food, feed, and cosmetic manufacturing facilities.
• Stability storage of reference standards and calibration solutions per ISO 8655-5 recommendations (25 °C / 60 %RH ambient reference condition).
• Pre-conditioning of polymer-based medical device packaging prior to accelerated aging per ASTM F1980.

FAQ

What is the recommended calibration frequency for the HWS-600?
Annual calibration against traceable reference standards is advised for routine use; semi-annual calibration is required in GLP/GMP-regulated environments.
Can the unit operate continuously at 60 °C and 95 %RH?
Yes—the refrigeration system is de-energized above 45 °C, and the ultrasonic humidifier maintains RH stability up to 95 %RH at elevated temperatures, though prolonged operation at extremes may reduce sensor lifespan.
Is the interior lighting compatible with photoperiod-sensitive cultures?
No built-in lighting is provided; however, the chamber accepts externally mounted LED light bars (IP65-rated) via dedicated conduit ports on the rear panel.
Does the HWS-600 support dry-heat sterilization cycles?
The unit is not rated for autoclave or dry-heat sterilization (>121 °C); however, it withstands periodic cleaning with 70 % ethanol or 0.5 % hydrogen peroxide solution per ISO 15223-1 labeling guidance.
How is condensation managed during high-humidity operation?
A dedicated condensate evaporation tray, heated by waste compressor energy, passively removes condensed moisture without requiring manual drainage or external plumbing.