When you are employed in a scientific laboratory and are regularly involved in experimental work, you need a safe place to store all the specimens and materials of scientific importance. This is where laboratory refrigerators step in by providing a controlled setting for preserving these resources.
These laboratory refrigerators keep the samples cool for effective storage. They are compartmentalized into several units for the refrigeration of blood samples, vaccines, other pharmaceutical products, etc. They are starkly different from domestic refrigerators as they need to be completely hygienic, scientifically tested, and reliable.
In today’s world, where numerous experiments are being carried out for the benefit of mankind, these refrigerators have become very important. In fact, according to research conducted recently, the global laboratory refrigerator market is expected to reach a value of USD 4245.16 million by the end of 2025 from USD 3,388.13 million in 2020.
To help you make the right choice, this article is here to guide you with all that you need to know about this a laboratory refrigerator:
1. They’ve upgraded technology to maintain temperature
These refrigerators have a star feature that allows them to maintain a temperature. This helps eliminate the risk of contamination by bacteria and also prevents mishaps.
But, not all kinds of specimens and samples can be stored at the same temperature. Their temperature requirements vary and for that, you need to choose an appropriate refrigerator to meet those needs.
There are low-temperature freezers that function at around –25 degrees Celsius. But, if certain samples require an even lower temperature, these refrigerators also offer a temperature as low as -45 degrees Celsius.
We also have ultra-low temperature freezers that operate between a range of -50 to -86 degrees Celsius. There’s some fluctuation in the temperature when the refrigerator doors are opened. So, these freezers also have an in-built system that allows them to maintain the temperature as and when the door opens and closes again.
2. There are various types of laboratory refrigerators
There are explosion-proof refrigerators, well equipped for the preservation of flammable items and dangerous chemicals. You also have blood bank refrigerators that store blood products and samples at consistent temperatures.
There is also another type of refrigerator, namely chromatography refrigerators that are constructed in a way to carry out research and experiments safely.
Similarly, there are also various other kinds of laboratory refrigerators that are designed to meet specific scientific needs and you must explore all of them before you invest in one.
3. They have a list of special features
These refrigerators have various features for their security system and all its units to stay intact and protected.
Some of these features help decrease the need to open the doors of these refrigerators and risk a temperature change that might harm the specimens. So, laboratory refrigerators from Labec come equipped with glass doors that help you examine all the materials from the outside.
There’s also a feature of external digital thermometers that help you measure the temperature of the unit without physical inspection.
Some of the other features include an alarm system, data loggers, etc. that help the workers and employees detect any damage before they blow out of proportion. Thus, these features ensure the overall safety of the lab and its samples.
4. There are varying sizes and capacities
It’s important to figure out the space you will be requiring for the preservation of your resources. This knowledge is important so that you can store materials without affecting the temperature settings of the refrigerator.
If the space is not enough, they can also be combined with another unit to increase the area available.
These refrigerators operate best when 30%-80% of their space is occupied. This is because empty refrigerators are susceptible to more severe temperature changes. This impedes the proper circulation of cold air throughout, thus forming hot spots in them and harming the stored samples.
Over to you…
These refrigerators are safe and fully functioning, only when they comply with the rules and regulations formulated by reliable agencies. One of them is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
These refrigerators need to be handled carefully with a thorough knowledge of their every part and feature. So, hope this article helps you out in getting a basic idea of what they are and how they work.
