Yiheng LRH Series Biochemical & Fungal Incubator

Overview

The Yiheng LRH Series Biochemical & Fungal Incubator is a dual-purpose, microprocessor-controlled environmental chamber engineered for stable, long-term temperature maintenance in life science laboratories. Designed to meet the stringent requirements of microbial cultivation, fungal growth studies, BOD testing, and plant tissue culture, this incubator operates on a passive thermal management principle—relying on air-jacketed heating and compressor-based refrigeration to achieve precise thermal control without forced air circulation. Its natural convection architecture minimizes mechanical stress on delicate biological samples—including spores, mycelial cultures, and aerobic/anaerobic bacteria—while eliminating cross-contamination risks associated with fan-driven airflow. The unit complies with core design principles outlined in ISO 13408-1 (sterility assurance for microbiological testing equipment) and supports GLP-compliant workflows through traceable temperature logging and independent overtemperature protection.

Key Features

• Mirror-finished stainless-steel interior with seamless, radius-corner construction—resistant to corrosion, non-porous, and compatible with standard laboratory disinfectants (e.g., 70% ethanol, 0.5% sodium hypochlorite).
• Air-jacketed heating system provides uniform thermal distribution across the chamber volume, reducing thermal gradients during ramp-up and steady-state operation.
• High-efficiency hermetic compressor using R134a refrigerant (non-ozone-depleting, GWP = 1,430), optimized for low-noise operation and energy consumption ≤1.2 kWh/day (LRH-150 model, 37 °C setpoint).
• Integrated polyurethane foam insulation (≥60 mm thickness, density ≥35 kg/m³) applied via one-shot foaming process—improving thermal resistance by >25% versus segmented insulation assemblies.
• Microprocessor-based PID temperature controller with 0.1 °C resolution, programmable 99-hour timer, and real-time deviation alarm threshold configuration.
• Three-level manual fan speed adjustment (off / low / medium) for optional auxiliary air movement—activated only when required to mitigate localized condensation or stratification.
• Dual-stage overtemperature safety cutoff: primary electronic limit (user-configurable, up to 65 °C) and secondary mechanical thermostat (factory-set at 70 °C), both interrupting power to heating and cooling circuits independently.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LRH incubator accommodates standard microbiological sample formats including Petri dishes (up to 150 mm diameter), test tubes (16–25 mm OD), multiwell plates (6–96-well), and Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 2 L). Adjustable stainless-steel shelving (3–5 tiers, load capacity 15 kg/shelf) permits flexible spatial reconfiguration. All models are CE-marked per EN 61000-6-3 (EMC) and EN 61000-6-2 (immunity); electrical safety conforms to IEC 61010-1:2010. For regulated environments, optional RS485 Modbus RTU interface enables integration into LIMS or SCADA systems supporting 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail requirements when paired with compliant data acquisition software.

Software & Data Management

Models designated with suffix “F” or “II” feature a 4.3-inch TFT-LCD touchscreen with intuitive icon-driven navigation and multilingual UI (English, Spanish, German, Chinese). Real-time temperature curves, setpoint history, and alarm logs are stored internally for ≥30 days (circular buffer). Optional accessories include: (1) thermal printer module (supporting continuous strip output with timestamp, setpoint, and measured value); (2) RS485-to-USB converter for direct PC connection; (3) Yiheng LabLink™ desktop software (Windows 10/11), enabling automated report generation (PDF/CSV), calibration certificate import, and user-access-level management (admin/operator/guest).

Applications

• Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) analysis per ASTM D5210 and ISO 5815-1, maintaining 20 ± 1 °C for 5-day incubation of seeded dilution water samples.
• Fungal culture propagation (e.g., Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans) under controlled humidity-optional conditions (external humidifier not included but compatible).
• Microbial preservation studies: viability assessment of lyophilized or glycerol-stock cultures at suboptimal temperatures (4–8 °C) and accelerated stability testing (37–45 °C).
• Plant seed germination assays and callus induction experiments requiring strict photoperiod exclusion and thermal consistency (e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana vernalization protocols).
• QC/QA environmental monitoring in pharmaceutical cleanrooms per ISO 14644-3, used for settle plate exposure and media incubation prior to colony enumeration.

FAQ

Does the LRH series support humidity control?
No—this is a temperature-only incubator. Humidity regulation requires external humidification modules or separate RH-controlled chambers.
Can the incubator operate continuously at 0 °C?
Yes, the compressor-based cooling system is rated for sustained operation from 0 °C to 60 °C, with validated stability per ICH Q5C guidelines for cold-chain validation studies.
Is calibration documentation provided with shipment?
Each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate (NIST-traceable reference probe, ±0.3 °C accuracy at 20/37/55 °C), valid for 12 months from date of manufacture.
What is the mean time between failures (MTBF) for the compressor?
Based on accelerated life testing per MIL-HDBK-217F, the selected rotary compressor demonstrates MTBF ≥35,000 hours under continuous lab-use conditions.
Are replacement shelves and door gaskets available as spare parts?
Yes—stainless-steel shelves (part no. LRH-SH-01), silicone door gaskets (LRH-GSK-02), and control board assemblies (LRH-CTRL-03) are stocked globally via Yiheng’s authorized distributor network.