HePu LRH-500F Biochemical Incubator

Overview

The HePu LRH-500F Biochemical Incubator is a precision-engineered, forced-air, refrigerated incubation system designed for stable, uniform thermal control across a wide operational range of 0°C to 60°C. Built upon a robust convection-driven airflow architecture with independent heating and cooling circuits, it maintains high reproducibility in temperature-sensitive biological processes—including microbial cultivation, BOD testing, fungal propagation, cell line maintenance, plant tissue culture, and environmental sample incubation. Its CFC-free R134a refrigeration system complies with international environmental standards (e.g., Montreal Protocol Annex A, Group I), ensuring sustainable laboratory operation without compromising thermal performance. The unit operates under ISO/IEC 17025-aligned environmental test conditions (20°C ambient, 50% RH, no load) and meets the functional requirements of ASTM D5210 (BOD incubation), USP /, and CLSI M22-A3 for microbiological growth support.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based digital temperature controller with ±0.1°C resolution and programmable timer (1–9999 minutes), enabling precise setpoint retention and repeatable experimental scheduling.
• High-grade mirror-finish stainless steel interior chamber (900 × 700 × 1600 mm) with seamless, radius-rounded corners for optimal cleaning efficiency and contamination control—fully compliant with GLP hygiene protocols.
• Double-layer tempered glass observation window with anti-fog coating ensures uninterrupted visual monitoring without thermal disturbance or condensation interference.
• Independent over-temperature safety cutoff circuit (optional) interrupts power when user-defined threshold is exceeded—critical for unattended overnight runs and regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail readiness when paired with RS485 interface).
• Four adjustable, load-rated stainless steel shelving tiers allow flexible configuration for flasks, Petri dishes, multiwell plates, or BOD bottles—each shelf supports up to 15 kg uniformly distributed load.
• Low-noise centrifugal blower system ensures uniform air distribution (±0.5°C at 37°C, ±1.0°C at 4°C), validated per ISO 15184:2020 Annex B for incubator spatial uniformity testing.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LRH-500F accommodates standard life science consumables including 100–2000 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, 90 mm Petri dishes, 24-/96-well microplates, BOD bottles (with optional BOD socket kit), and plant growth containers. Its interior volume (1.0 m³ net) and vertical airflow design minimize stratification effects during long-term incubation of aerobic and facultative anaerobic cultures. The unit conforms to IEC 61010-1:2010 safety standards for laboratory equipment and supports traceable calibration via external PT100 probe port (available as optional 50 mm test port). When equipped with the optional intelligent program controller and RS485 interface, it satisfies data integrity requirements under GMP Annex 11 and EU GDP Annex 15 for electronic record retention.

Software & Data Management

While the base configuration features standalone local control, the optional RS485 communication interface (Model: LRH-RS485-KIT) enables integration into centralized lab management systems using Modbus RTU protocol. Paired with HePu’s certified incubator communication software (v3.2+), users can remotely monitor real-time temperature logs, export CSV-formatted datasets with timestamps, configure multi-step temperature ramps, and generate PDF audit reports—including operator ID, event timestamps, and deviation alerts. All data streams comply with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available) for regulatory submissions.

Applications

• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) analysis per APHA 5210B and ISO 5815-1
• Microbial enumeration (total viable count, coliforms, Pseudomonas spp.) per ISO 4833-1 and EN ISO 6887
• Fungal and yeast culture maintenance (e.g., Aspergillus, Candida) at sub-ambient temperatures (e.g., 25°C, 30°C)
• Seed germination and plant seedling development studies under controlled photoperiod-independent thermal regimes
• Stability testing of diagnostic reagents and pharmaceutical excipients per ICH Q1A(R2)
• Environmental water and wastewater sample incubation for nutrient cycling assays

FAQ

What is the minimum operating temperature, and is it suitable for psychrophilic organism culture?
The LRH-500F achieves a verified lower limit of 0°C under standard ambient conditions (5–30°C), making it appropriate for mesophilic and some psychrotolerant strains—but not for obligate psychrophiles requiring ≤−5°C.

Does the unit support validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ)?
Yes—HePu provides factory-verified calibration certificates (NIST-traceable), and optional IQ/OQ protocols are available upon request for GxP-regulated environments.

Can the incubator be used for CO₂-sensitive applications?
No—this is a non-CO₂, ambient-air incubator. For pH-sensitive mammalian cell culture, a dedicated CO₂ incubator is required.

Is the R134a refrigerant compatible with laboratory HVAC exhaust systems?
Yes—R134a is non-toxic, non-flammable, and fully compatible with standard fume hood and room ventilation infrastructure per ASHRAE Standard 15.