Darwin Chambers Company - Environmental Chambers, Stability Chambers, Laboratory and Scientific Incubators FDA ICH Stability Testing

Environmental Chambers, Laboratory Incubators and Stability Chambers

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Our Technologies

Ultrasonic Humidification

Humidified chambers typically have a pan of water that is heated with electricity or an element sprayed with water creating steam. This leads to heat being introduced into the chamber as well as imprecise addition of humidity.  Mineral scale build-up is also quick.

Our systems add humidity through an ultrasonic vapor generator. We can turn it off and on in mere seconds. It doesn't generate any heat. It doesn't overshoot or continue to add humidity past the set point. It doesn't collect mineral scale. However, they do require replacement of a $12 titanium ceramic disc every 10,000 hours of use - which most users do themselves.  We also suggest the hook-up of deionized/distilled water or use of reverse osmosis units (we sell these).  Otherwise, mineral scale build-up will occur in the chamber. 

In summary ultrasonic humidification:

Thermoelectrics

Current chamber technology is complex. Almost all manufacturers run a refrigeration system full time. In temperature control applications, heat is then added to this system to obtain the desired temperature.

In humidity control situations, the refrigeration is used to lower humidity by allowing condensation on the cooling components in the chambers. There is often a "hot gas bypass" system or and "latent coil system". Occasionally, there are defrost cycles so that ice doesn't form on the cooling components. All this adds up to high operating costs, a lot of moving parts, and an automatic call to THEIR service department (not an ordinary refrigeration technician) when problems do arise. When you add the room you've especially made to deal with all the heat that these refrigeration units put out, it adds up to a lot of money and time.

Thermoelectric technology, the technology we like to employ in certain situations that do not require more than 100watts of heat removal, has progressed in recent years. Essentially, a small wafer can take heat from one side of the component and move it to another side. When the polarity is reversed, it does the reverse. When cooling fins and fans are added to the system, it becomes one of the best ways to maintain temperatures. The units can be pulsed in seconds, thereby allowing some of the most precise control. One of the benefits is that we can run cooling units at a minimal temperature difference. In situations where condensation on the unit is desired, freeze ups are eliminated.

In summary thermoelectrics: