How to Choose a CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) Incubator?

• Device capacity (options ranging from 50 liters to 851 liters)
• Temperature and CO2 stability and accuracy (Ambient temperature +5°C to +50°C, ±0.1°C temperature accuracy, 0–20%, ±0.15% CO2)
• Decontamination options suitable for laboratory conditions (closed-system UV lamp, H2O2 vapor, high temperature, or HEPA)

CO2 Incubator Decontamination Methods

1) Active Methods

• Inner Chamber and Shelf Material
  Many brands use stainless steel. Some brands offer copper–stainless steel alloy or fully copper options, with full-copper designs increasing costs.
  • The main advantage of copper is its antiseptic effect. This naturally inhibits the growth of mold, fungi, mycoplasma, and bacteria. However, in devices with fully copper inner chambers, corrosion may occur after prolonged use due to humidity.
  • In devices using a copper–stainless steel alloy for the inner chamber, corrosion does not occur, and contamination can be controlled thanks to the copper alloy.

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  For our Copper–Stainless Steel Alloy devices; you can review our products and request a presentation via the PHCBi IncuSafe CO2 Incubators link.
• Decontamination of Circulated Air
  To decontaminate air entering the chamber, especially after door openings, some devices are equipped with HEPA filters and UV lamps. A fan inside the device circulates air, helping to maintain homogeneous temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. The circulated air passes through a HEPA filter or a closed-system UV light, ensuring air decontamination within the chamber. HEPA filters can trap contaminants of 0.3 microns and larger, while UV lamps are effective against contaminants of all sizes, including mycoplasma and viruses. HEPA filters are recommended to be replaced every 6 months, while UV lamps can be used for more than 5 years. The HEPA filter mentioned here is located inside the chamber and should not be confused with filters at gas inlets. The UV system referred to is a closed-system, ozone-free design with a specific wavelength, safe to use while samples are present and should not be confused with UV systems used only when the device is empty.
  For our UV decontamination devices; you can review our products and request a presentation via the PHCBi IncuSafe CO2 Incubators link.

2) Passive Methods

• UV Decontamination:
Since UV light is only effective where it reaches, all removable parts inside the device are removed and the chamber is exposed to UV light. This process is typically applied for 24 hours.
• High-Temperature Dry Heat Sterilization:
According to many pharmacopoeias, temperatures of 160°C–180°C are required for proper sterilization. Many brands offer dry heat sterilization at 180°C. This process takes approximately 12 hours. In some models, the CO2 sensor must be removed before the process and recalibrated afterward.
• H2O2 Decontamination:
The chamber is exposed to H2O2 vapor for a certain period, after which a UV lamp is activated to decompose the H2O2 vapor into water vapor and oxygen. This process takes approximately 3 hours.

What Are the CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Incubator Sensor Types?

• TC (Thermal Conductivity):
These sensors operate on the principle of measuring the resistance of a specific gas (CO2) relative to a reference gas (usually ambient room air). Due to their structure, thermal conductivity sensors are affected by humidity and temperature. They are low-cost.
• IR (Infrared):
IR sensors operate based on the principle that gas (CO2) absorbs light at a specific frequency. They are available in single-beam, dual-beam, single-detector, and dual-detector types. Some devices can perform auto-zero CO2 calibration. Compared to TC sensors, they provide more stable and accurate measurements and are more expensive.
Some brands offer independently adjustable regional heaters or dew point control to prevent condensation inside the chamber.

Decontamination Options

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Incubator Accessories

• Automatic Gas Cylinder Changeover Kit:
Systems are available that automatically switch to a backup CO2 cylinder when the primary one is empty. To avoid unpleasant surprises during holidays, an automatic cylinder changeover system can be preferred.
• Stacking Kit:
In laboratories with multiple devices, these kits allow two incubators to be stacked on top of each other to save space without interfering with their operation.
• Remote Alarm Systems:
Some brands offer systems that can call you in case of a malfunction and allow continuous remote monitoring of the device status, which can be preferred for sample safety.