YiHeng LHR-500F Biochemical Incubator

Overview

The YiHeng LHR-500F Biochemical Incubator is a precision-engineered, air-jacketed temperature-controlled chamber designed for stable, long-term cultivation and maintenance of biological samples under tightly regulated thermal conditions. It operates on the principle of convective heat transfer via an insulated air jacket surrounding the inner chamber—ensuring minimal thermal gradient across the working volume and reduced sensitivity to ambient fluctuations. This architecture delivers superior temperature stability and energy efficiency compared to direct-heating or water-jacketed alternatives, making it suitable for BOD testing, microbial culture (including bacteria, yeasts, and molds), cell line maintenance, plant tissue culture, and environmental sample incubation in compliance with standard laboratory protocols.

Key Features

• Mirror-finish stainless steel interior with seamless, quarter-round corners—resistant to corrosion and facilitating thorough decontamination between experiments.
• Adjustable, heavy-duty stainless steel shelving system—allowing flexible vertical configuration to accommodate flasks, Petri dishes, multi-well plates, and custom vessels.
• High-efficiency, low-GWP refrigerant-based cooling system paired with a premium-brand hermetic compressor—optimized for continuous operation at sub-ambient temperatures without compromising reliability or service life.
• Monolithic polyurethane foam insulation (≥80 mm thickness) applied via high-pressure foaming process—achieving thermal conductivity ≤0.022 W/(m·K) and reducing heat loss by >25% relative to conventional panel-bonded insulation.
• Microprocessor-based PID temperature controller with LCD interface and menu-driven navigation—supporting setpoint resolution of 0.1 °C, programmable ramp-hold cycles, and real-time deviation display.
• Three-speed adjustable axial circulation fan—enabling precise control over internal airflow velocity to minimize evaporation from open culture vessels while maintaining uniform thermal distribution.
• Dual-stage independent overtemperature protection: primary electronic cut-off (user-definable limit) and secondary mechanical thermostat—both compliant with IEC 61010-1 safety requirements for laboratory equipment.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LHR-500F accommodates standard microbiological and biochemical sample formats including 100–2000 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, stacked Petri dish racks, roller bottles, and upright culture tubes. Its internal geometry supports ISO/IEC 17025-aligned validation procedures—including temperature mapping per ASTM E2874 and IQ/OQ documentation templates. The unit meets CE marking requirements (2014/30/EU EMC Directive, 2014/35/EU LVD), conforms to GB/T 14710–2009 (Chinese national standard for environmental test conditions of medical electrical equipment), and is compatible with GLP-compliant workflows when equipped with optional data logging modules.

Software & Data Management

Models designated with the “F” suffix feature an integrated RS485 serial interface (Modbus RTU protocol) and optional thermal printer port. When connected to a host PC running validated data acquisition software, the incubator enables time-stamped temperature logging at user-selectable intervals (1 s to 24 h), export of CSV-formatted datasets, and generation of audit-trail-enabled reports meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements—including electronic signatures, change history, and user access controls. Firmware supports firmware update via USB and retains calibration offsets during power interruption.

Applications

• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) analysis per APHA Standard Methods 5210B and ISO 5815-1.
• Maintenance of bacterial cultures (e.g., E. coli, Bacillus subtilis) and fungal isolates (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans) for quality control and strain preservation.
• Seed germination studies, plant callus induction, and photoperiod-independent growth trials in agricultural research.
• Environmental monitoring labs performing coliform enumeration (m-Endo, mFC media) and aquatic toxicity assays.
• Pharmaceutical stability testing of excipients and non-sterile dosage forms under ICH Q1A(R2) intermediate storage conditions (30 °C/65% RH simulated via dry incubation).

FAQ

Does the LHR-500F support humidity control?
No—this model is a dry incubator. Humidity regulation is not integrated; users requiring controlled moisture must pair it with external humidification systems or select YiHeng’s HPG series CO₂/humidity incubators.
What validation documentation is provided with the unit?
Factory-installed calibration certificates (NIST-traceable probe), IQ/OQ checklists, and temperature uniformity test reports (per ISO 15378 Annex 1 guidance) are available upon request—subject to additional configuration verification.
Is the RS485 interface compatible with LabVIEW or SCADA platforms?
Yes—Modbus RTU implementation allows native integration with LabVIEW via NI-VISA, as well as Siemens SIMATIC, Rockwell Allen-Bradley, and Ignition SCADA systems using standard Modbus drivers.
Can the incubator operate continuously at 4 °C?
Yes—the refrigeration system is rated for uninterrupted operation within the full 0–60 °C range, including extended sub-ambient cycles typical in cold-adapted microorganism studies.
What is the mean time between failures (MTBF) for the compressor subsystem?
Based on accelerated life testing and field data from >12,000 installed units, MTBF exceeds 35,000 hours under nominal load conditions (25 °C ambient, 37 °C setpoint).