Applications Of Laboratory Freezers

By Dr Bob Sandor

Many people think that laboratory freezers are simply a different version of a normal home freezer unit. This is not the case. The applications of laboratory freezers are more detailed and precise than normal freezer units. They are used to keep volatile and unstable materials at specific and stable temperatures. Laboratory freezers are generally used to store specimens and samples for different experiments. These substances usually have very precise temperatures and climates that they can survive in. For these uses, lab freezers are designed specifically to reach and maintain certain temperatures. Laboratory freezers can reach much lower temperatures than regular house hold freezers. Liquid nitrogen freezers are able to get all the way down to -190 degrees Celsius.

Laboratory freezers and laboratory refrigerators can be found in a variety of different designs and styles. There are solid, glass and sliding door panels. There are different sizes and temperatures. Capacity and temperature range are two of the most important points to look at in a lab freezer. As a general rule, the larger lab freezers, such as walk in freezers, are not able to reach such extremely low temperatures as the smaller freezers. Some freezers are specifically designed for certain uses. For example, blood bank refrigerators are designed to hold only blood samples while vaccine refrigerators are created for medical vaccinations storage. One of the main applications for laboratory freezers is to create an atmosphere of low humidity. This limits any moisture that is present in the air and allows the materials to be less affected by climatic variations.

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The applications of laboratory freezers include storing blood samples and related products as well as medical and pharmaceutical supplies such as vaccines. Serums, tissue samples and genetic material are all examples of substances which need to be stores in highly controlled units. Different uses will require different sizes and design of lab freezer. There are sizes ranging from under counter freezers which will slot into smaller spaces easily up to stand alone and walk in freezers which carry larger samples. According to FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) guidelines, each lab freezer is designed to provide a controlled atmosphere and uniform climate for different kinds of substances.

Lab freezers are used to store flammable and volatile substances. They are designed specifically for this purpose and have hermetically sealed compressors and CFC free, foamed in place insulation. As well as being able to control the climate and protect the substances from escaping, laboratory freezers are often equipped with security devices. Alarms, monitoring equipment and backup generators are all essential add-ons which make sure the products are safe and secure. If a freezer holding blood samples should fail, an immediate alarm will make sure that the substances are not compromised. Only certain personnel may be allowed to handle the materials.

Any scientific or medical lab will need some kind of refrigeration device. Laboratory freezers are available in a huge range of designs which can be used for all kinds of materials.

About the Author: Dr. Sandor’s a Director at Tovatech, a leading supplier of

undercounter refrigerator

units in America. When not busy running his company he explores his fascination with the many aspects of various scientific & industrial devices. For more details on the above reach him through his site’s

lab & industrial refrigerator

section.

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