VWR CO2 Incubator Basic, User Manual

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| Description of the device
20
| CO2 Incubator Basic
VWR
Chapter 4
Work space atmosphere
In the work space of the incubator, the particular physiological ambient conditions for the
preparation and cultivation of cell and tissue cultures are simulated. The work space atmosphere is
determined by the following factors:

Temperature

Relative humidity

CO
2
concentration
Temperature:
To ensure undisturbed operation, the temperature in the operating room must be at least 18 °C
and the incubation temperature must be at least 3 °C higher than the room temperature.
The heating system controls the incubation temperature from this temperature threshold up to
55 °C. The principle of air jacket heating and the additional, separate heating of the outer door
minimize the risk of condensate formation on the side walls, at the ceiling of the work space, and
at the glass door.
Relative humidity:
The water tray of the work space can hold 4.5 liters of processed water. The heating of the work
space causes evaporation of the water, thereby ensuring a constant humidity within the work
space. Under normal operating conditions and at the usual incubation temperature of 37 °C, a
constant relative humidity of approx. 95% is achieved in the work space.
If heated containers are removed and put back into the work space, the elevated humidity and the
cooling may cause condensate to form on the outer sides of the container.
For humidification, processed water of the following quality is required:

Demineralized and either distilled or autoclaved for sterilization
or

Completely deionized and either distilled or autoclaved for sterilization
CO
2
supply:
To ensure correct growth conditions for the cell and tissue cultures, the work space is supplied
with CO
2
. The pH of the bicarbonate-buffered culture media largely depends on the CO
2
content of
the work space atmosphere. The CO
2
content of the work space atmosphere can be controlled
within a range of 0 - 20%.
The CO
2
must be of the following quality:

Purity 99.5% min
or

Medical grade