Selection method for carbon dioxide incubator

The selection method of CO2 incubator (difference between water jacket and air jacket)

CO2 incubator is widely used in the research and production of medicine, immunology, genetics, microbiology, agricultural science, and pharmacology, and has become one of the commonly used conventional instruments in laboratories in the above-mentioned fields, It is a device for in vitro cultivation of cells/tissues by simulating a growth environment similar to that of cells/tissues in an incubator, such as constant pH (7.2-7.4), stable temperature (37° C), high relative humidity (95%), and stable CO2 levels (5%).

The CO2 incubator mainly controls three basic variables related to the simulated living environment: stable CO2 level, temperature, and relative humidity.

To have a stable cultivation environment, we need to consider these three influencing factors. When making a purchase, we should consider these factors; The Most Important; Only with a certain understanding can one choose the instrument that suits oneself. 

However, some other aspects; Small; Factors cannot be ignored, as they all affect the value and lifespan of the instrument. When making a purchase, consideration should be given to various factors.

1. Temperature control: Maintaining a constant temperature inside the incubator is an important factor in maintaining healthy cell growth.

When choosing a carbon dioxide incubator, there are two types of heating structures to choose from: air jacket heating and water jacket heating. Although both heating systems are reliable, they both have their own advantages and disadvantages.

The water jacket incubator maintains a constant temperature by surrounding the internal box with an independent hot water compartment. Hot water circulates through natural convection within the box, and heat is transferred to the inside of the box through radiation to maintain a constant temperature* The water jacket design has its advantages: water is a good insulation material, and in the event of a power outage, the water jacket system can more reliably maintain the temperature accuracy and stability in the incubator for a long time (the time to maintain a constant temperature is 4-5 times that of the air jacket system). If your experimental environment is not very stable (such as limited useful electricity or frequent power outages) and you need to maintain stable cultivation conditions for a long time, a carbon dioxide incubator with a water jacket design is your choice.

The gas jacket heating system directly heats the gas inside the box through a heater inside the box. The air sleeve design can quickly restore temperature stability inside the box in the event of frequent temperature changes caused by frequent opening and closing of the box door. 

Therefore, compared with the water jacket type, the air jacket type has the characteristics of faster heating and faster temperature recovery compared to the water jacket type incubator, which is particularly beneficial for short-term cultivation and cultivation that requires frequent opening and closing of the incubator door. In addition, for users, the air jacket design is simpler than the water jacket design (the water jacket design requires adding water, emptying and cleaning the water tank, and regularly monitoring the operation of the water tank). 

When purchasing an air jacketed incubator, it is important to note that in order not to affect the cultivation, the incubator should also have a fan to ensure the circulation and circulation of air inside the incubator. This device also helps to quickly recover the temperature, CO2, and relative humidity inside the incubator.

In addition, some types of carbon dioxide incubators also have an outer door and an auxiliary heating system, which can heat the inner door, provide a good humidity environment for cells, ensure the balance of cell osmotic pressure, and effectively prevent the formation of condensate to maintain humidity and temperature inside the incubator. If your cultivation environment requires control, then this auxiliary system is .