With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the safety and reliability of power batteries directly determine vehicle quality. High-low temperature testing is a key link, which must strictly comply with standards such as IEC 62133 and GB/T 31484. Currently, enterprises generally face three major pain points: thermal runaway risks, difficulty in standard compliance, and insufficient non-standard adaptation. With over 20 years of experience in environmental testing equipment, Guangdong Labcompanion has launched a dedicated explosion-proof high-low temperature test chamber for new energy, providing one-stop solutions with customized and compliant advantages.
I. Core Pain Points of Power Battery High-Low Temperature Testing
High-low temperature testing is the "lifeline" of power battery R&D and mass production, with core pain points focusing on three aspects:
l High thermal runaway risks: Swelling and fire are likely during testing; traditional equipment lacks targeted explosion-proof design, easily causing safety accidents and losses.
l Difficult compliance: Insufficient temperature control accuracy and incomplete data recording of traditional equipment lead to certification rework, making it hard for SMEs to enter the mainstream market.
l Poor non-standard adaptation: Long customization cycle (3-6 months) and high cost fail to match R&D schedules and diverse needs.
II. Labcompanion’s Customized Solutions
Targeting the pain points, Labcompanion solves the dilemmas from three core dimensions based on the needs of leading enterprises:
l Full-dimensional explosion protection: Real-time battery monitoring, passive protection, and inert gas replacement to eliminate safety hazards.
l Compliance guarantee: Temperature control accuracy ±0.3℃, uniformity ≤±0.5℃, traceable data, and professional certification guidance.
l Rapid customization: Volume 36L~1000L, customization cycle shortened to 1-3 months, supporting function expansion and intelligent operation.
III. Benchmark Case & Selection Suggestions
Labcompanion’s explosion-proof test chamber helped BYD shorten the R&D cycle of solid-state batteries by 20%, successfully pass IEC 62133 certification, and achieve bulk procurement.
Key selection points: Prioritize manufacturers with complete explosion-proof qualifications, compliance with standards, and strong customization and after-sales capabilities (Labcompanion has service centers in 12 cities nationwide, with 2-hour response, 48-hour on-site support, and 3-year warranty).
IV. Conclusion
Through technological innovation, Labcompanion solves key testing pain points of power batteries, gaining trust from leading enterprises. It will continue to deepen its layout to help the high-quality development of the new energy industry.
High and low temperature test chambers are the "invisible guardians" in industrial production and scientific research innovation. They can simulate extreme environments to test product reliability, from small mobile phone chips to large automotive components. Starting from basic cognition, core parameters, industry trends, and usage misunderstandings, this article interprets their value and Labcompanion's practice.
I. Basic Cognition: The "Environmental Tester" for Product Quality
High and low temperature test chambers simulate natural environments by artificially regulating temperature, exposing performance defects of products under extreme temperature conditions in advance, helping enterprises optimize designs before mass production and avoid recall risks. Their applications cover electronic and electrical, medical, automotive, scientific research institutions and other fields, with test objects including PCB boards, monitors, automotive sensors, etc.
II. Key Parameters: Core Indicators for Selecting the Right Equipment
Core parameters determine equipment adaptability, with key indicators as follows:
1. Temperature control accuracy (deviation ±0.1℃~±0.5℃, high precision suitable for scientific research/high-end manufacturing);
2. Temperature uniformity (high-quality equipment ≤±2℃, high-end models ≤±1℃);
3. . Temperature range (conventional -40℃~150℃, special scenarios up to -80℃~200℃+);
4. Temperature change rate (10℃/min+ rapid temperature change can shorten test cycles);
5. Volume (from dozens of liters of desktop to dozens of cubic meters of walk-in, suitable for different scenarios).
III. Industry Trends: Green, Intelligent and Customized as the Mainstream
With industry upgrading, three major trends highlight competitiveness: 1. Green energy saving: Adopting environmentally friendly refrigerants, optimized refrigeration cycle and other technologies, energy consumption can be reduced by 20%+; 2. Intelligent interconnection: Realizing remote monitoring, automatic data collection and analysis, suitable for digital management; 3. Customization: Providing personalized designs for medical sterility, new energy explosion-proof and other needs.
IV. Usage Misunderstandings: Four Major Pitfalls to Avoid
1. The temperature change rate is not the faster the better; it needs to match product characteristics and test standards;
2. Uniformity cannot be ignored; uneven temperature field will lead to result deviation; 3. Regular maintenance is indispensable, otherwise it will affect accuracy and increase energy consumption;
4. The load capacity should not exceed 30% of the chamber volume to avoid damaging temperature field uniformity.
V. Labcompanion: A Quality Practitioner Following Trends
Labcompanion focuses on R&D and practices the three major trends: In terms of green energy saving, it adopts environmentally friendly refrigerant R449A and cascade refrigeration + CO₂ working fluid technology, reducing energy consumption by 28%~38% and obtaining provincial energy-saving certification; In terms of intelligence, it is equipped with an AI intelligent control system, supporting remote monitoring and automatic data analysis, with preset 200+ test programs; In terms of customization, it provides customized temperature range, chamber structure, etc., covering the needs of various industries. Its equipment has excellent core parameters: temperature control accuracy ±0.1℃~±0.3℃, uniformity ≤±1.5℃, temperature range -80℃~200℃. Relying on 20 years of experience, it provides full-process services from demand analysis to maintenance.
High and low temperature test chambers bear the responsibility of ensuring product quality. Accurately understanding core information can help select equipment and avoid pitfalls. Labcompanion creates trend-compliant equipment through technological innovation, providing support for quality upgrading in various industries.
1. Electronics Industry (Chips, Components)
Q: Does inner tank size and material affect testing for small precision components?
A: Select 36-100L small-volume inner tank (reduces temperature fluctuation); prioritize 304 stainless steel (corrosion-resistant, uniform heat conduction). Confirm multi-point temperature collection (≥8 points) support. Hongzhan offers customizable zoned temperature measurement, synchronous data upload, and chip batch testing compatibility.
Q: Will the refrigeration system degrade after 72 hours of continuous high-intensity testing?
A: Focus on refrigeration configuration: choose two-stage cascade refrigeration (more stable than single-stage) with imported compressors (Danfoss/Coppa). Hongzhan equipment features MTBF of 20,000 hours, no continuous operation attenuation, and overload protection.
2. New Energy Industry (Batteries, Charging Piles)
Q: For battery testing with explosion-proof requirements, how to judge equipment explosion-proof rating and safety design?
A: Must comply with ATEX explosion-proof certification. Inner tank equipped with explosion-proof pressure relief valve and inert gas inlet; circuit adopts flameproof design. Hongzhan customizes Ex d IIB T4 explosion-proof test chambers, suitable for lithium battery thermal runaway simulation.
Q: Can equipment heating/cooling rate meet large-capacity battery pack testing? Is energy consumption high?
A: Select custom models ≥1000L with temperature change rate ≥10℃/min; adopt CO₂ natural refrigerant system (38% lower energy consumption than traditional). Hongzhan optimizes refrigeration circuits for new energy, maintaining stable rates under heavy loads and saving over 10,000 yuan in annual electricity costs.
3. Aerospace Industry (Components, Aircraft Assemblies)
Q: Can temperature uniformity meet standards in extreme temperature ranges (-80℃ to 200℃)?
A: Select equipment with "PID self-tuning + fuzzy control"; inner tank adopts honeycomb air duct design (reduces temperature difference). Hongzhan maintains uniformity ≤1.5℃ even at -80℃, passes GJB military standard certification, suitable for simulating extreme high-altitude environments.
Q: Can equipment connect to high-level data acquisition systems? Is data transmission stable?
A: Confirm RS485/Ethernet interface support, compatibility with LabVIEW/Excel, data sampling rate ≥1 time/second, and storage capacity ≥1 million records. Hongzhan equipment has electromagnetic shielding, ensuring interference-free transmission and seamless integration with aerospace research systems.
4. Medical Industry (Consumables, Devices)
Q: Medical consumables testing requires high inner tank cleanliness; what are the relevant equipment designs?
A: Inner tank made of 316L medical-grade stainless steel (sterilization efficiency ≥99%), with 120℃ automatic high-temperature sterilization; air duct designed with no dead corners (prevents dust accumulation). Hongzhan cleanroom test chambers comply with ISO 13485, suitable for syringe and medical sensor sterility testing.
Q: Test data needs 5+ years of traceability; do equipment storage and export functions meet requirements?
A: Must have audit trail, encrypted data storage for ≥5 years, one-click export to PDF/Excel, and tamper-proof design. Hongzhan equipment is equipped with industrial-grade storage modules, meeting FDA/CE regulatory requirements, facilitating medical device registration.
Industry-Specific Selection Core
Precise matching with industry-specific demands is key:
Electronics: Focus on precise temperature control and small-volume adaptation
New Energy: Prioritize explosion-proof, wide temperature range, and large-load capabilities
Aerospace: Emphasize extreme temperature resistance and high-level data connectivity
Medical: Highlight compliance, cleanliness, and data traceability
Avoid blind pursuit of uniform parameters; conduct targeted screening per industry standards (GJB, ISO 13485). Guangdong Hongzhan Technology Equipment provides industry-customized solutions, covering core technical requirements across fields. With professional certifications and compatible designs, it helps customers avoid selection pitfalls and achieve precise matching.
Equipment selection directly impacts efficiency, quality and data reliability. Standard ovens, precision ovens and temperature-humidity test chambers have distinct functional boundaries and application scenarios. Many enterprises suffer cost waste or functional insufficiency due to improper selection. This guide clarifies selection logic, breaks down matching schemes, avoids common pitfalls and provides precise guidance based on practical scenarios.
1. Core Selection Logic
Adhere to the four-step framework of defining demand types → verifying temperature accuracy → supplementing environmental requirements → matching budget to clarify equipment selection boundaries.
Step 1: Define Demand Types
Choose oven series for process applications (drying, curing, etc.).
Choose temperature-humidity test chambers for environmental reliability verification (extreme temperature variation, humidity exposure).
Note: Ovens lack cooling function and cannot replace test chambers.
Step 2: Verify Temperature Control Accuracy
Standard ovens: Suitable for applications allowing ±5℃ temperature deviation.
Precision ovens: Required for high-precision scenarios (±1℃ tolerance, e.g., electronic packaging, medical sterile drying).
Temperature-humidity test chambers: Ideal for extreme environment testing, with accuracy up to ±1℃ (even ±0.5℃ for premium models).
Step 3: Supplement Environmental Requirements
Ovens: Applicable for ambient temperature heating only.
Temperature-humidity test chambers (including humidity-controlled models): Necessary for low-temperature (-20℃ ~ -70℃), cyclic temperature variation or humidity control (e.g., 85℃/85%RH) applications.
Note: Precision ovens do not support cooling or humidity control functions.
Step 4: Match Budget
Standard ovens (thousands of CNY): For basic drying tasks with limited budget.
Precision ovens (10,000 ~ 100,000 CNY): For processes requiring high precision and stability.
Temperature-humidity test chambers (100,000 ~ hundreds of thousands of CNY): For professional environmental testing; reserve budget for operation and maintenance.
2. Typical Application Scenarios: Demand-Equipment Matching
This section breaks down matching schemes for three key sectors (electronics, automotive, medical & research) to provide intuitive references.
Electronics Industry
Simple component drying (±5℃ tolerance): Standard oven
PCB solder paste curing (±0.5℃ accuracy, ±1℃ uniformity, multi-stage temperature control): Precision oven
Chip cyclic testing (-40℃ ~ 125℃, data traceability required): Temperature-humidity test chamber
Automotive Industry
Basic part drying (±5℃ tolerance): Standard oven
Sensor 24-hour aging test at 85℃ (±0.3℃ accuracy): Precision oven
Battery pack rapid temperature cycling test (-40℃ ~ 85℃): Rapid temperature change test chamber
Medical & Research Industry
Routine consumable drying (±5℃ tolerance): Standard oven
Syringe & catheter sterile drying (±0.5℃ accuracy, clean inner chamber, data traceability): Precision oven with 316 stainless steel enclosure
Plastic material thermal stability study (-30℃ ~ 150℃): Temperature-humidity test chamber
3. Common Selection Pitfalls: Risk Avoidance
Misconceptions often lead to wrong selections. Focus on avoiding these three key pitfalls:
Pitfall 1: Using standard ovens instead of precision ovens
Short-term cost reduction may cause higher product rejection rates and increased long-term costs.
Solution: Always choose precision ovens for applications requiring ±1℃ accuracy; improved yield will offset the incremental cost.
Pitfall 2: Using precision ovens for temperature cycling tests
Ovens lack cooling capability, leading to test failure.
Solution: Directly select temperature-humidity test chambers for low-temperature or cyclic temperature variation tests.
Pitfall 3: Blindly pursuing high-spec test chambers
Results in cost waste and underutilization of functions.
Solution: Select equipment strictly based on actual test parameters to balance demand and budget.
Conclusion
The core of equipment selection lies in precise demand matching. Clarifying demand types and core parameters, combining scenario requirements with budget planning, and avoiding common pitfalls will maximize equipment value, support production quality improvement and boost R&D efficiency.
I. Pre-Use Preparation
1. Equipment Inspection: Ensure the oven shell is well grounded, with no damage to the power cord and secure connections; check that vacuum valves and sealing rings are intact without aging or air leakage; verify that the vacuum pump oil level is within the scale range and the oil is clear and free of impurities.
2. Material Preparation: Materials to be dried must comply with the oven's applicable scope (flammable, explosive, and corrosive materials are prohibited). Place materials evenly in the baking tray, avoiding excessive stacking (not exceeding 1/2 of the tray height), and ensure there are ventilation gaps between materials and the oven wall, as well as between materials.
3. Environment Check: Ensure no flammable or explosive items are around the oven, the ventilation is good, and a maintenance space of at least 50cm is reserved; check that instruments such as the temperature controller and vacuum gauge are in zero state
II. Operation Procedure
1. Loading Materials into the Oven
Open the oven door, place the baking tray with materials steadily on the inner shelf, ensuring the tray is firmly positioned; close the oven door and tighten the door latch to ensure good sealing.
2. Vacuum System Operation
• Open the vacuum valves (first the oven's own valve, then the vacuum pump valve) and start the vacuum pump.
• Monitor the vacuum gauge; when the vacuum degree reaches the process requirement (usually -0.08~-0.1MPa, subject to material requirements), first close the vacuum pump valve, then turn off the vacuum pump to maintain the vacuum state.
3. Temperature Control Setting and Operation
• Connect the oven's main power supply, turn on the temperature controller, and set the "target temperature" and "holding time" according to process requirements (for stepwise heating, set parameters for each stage in sequence).
• Turn on the heating switch; the oven enters the heating stage. Check that the displayed temperature of the controller matches the actual temperature (if a temperature probe is available) to ensure stable heating.
• When the target temperature is reached, the system automatically enters the holding stage. During this period, regularly check the vacuum degree; if it is lower than the set value, repeat the vacuuming operation.
4. Shutdown and Material Retrieval
• After the holding period ends, turn off the heating switch and wait for the internal temperature to drop to a safe range (usually ≤50℃, subject to material properties).
• Slowly open the vacuum relief valve; after the vacuum gauge returns to zero, open the oven door and retrieve the materials (wear high-temperature resistant gloves to avoid scalding).
• Turn off the main power supply, clean residual debris inside the oven, and keep the equipment clean.
III. Key Notes
• Heating is strictly prohibited under vacuum conditions. Vacuuming must be done before heating to avoid abnormal internal pressure.
• If abnormal noise, odor, or instrument malfunction occurs during heating, immediately shut down and cut off power, and troubleshoot before reuse.
• Flammable and explosive materials must undergo safety testing. They can only be used under supervision after confirming no risks, and the oven must be equipped with explosion-proof devices.
• If the vacuum pump overheats or leaks oil during operation, shut it down for inspection promptly. Replace the pump oil regularly (recommended every 300 hours).
IV. Daily Maintenance
1. After daily use, clean the inner wall and shelves of the oven, and wipe the surface of the sealing ring to prevent foreign objects from affecting the sealing effect.
2. Weekly, check the flexibility of the vacuum valve switch and apply anti-rust lubricating oil to moving parts such as door hinges.
3. Monthly, calibrate the temperature controller and vacuum gauge to ensure accurate parameters; inspect the appearance of heating tubes and replace them promptly if damaged.
In response to the testing and R&D requirements of electronic components such as semiconductors and automotive electronics, Lab Companion has developed a smaller capacity small rapid temperature change (wet heat) test chamber. While maintaining the advantages of standard rapid temperature change test chambers, it can also meet the needs of customers who have requirements for space size, with a single-phase 220VAC voltage specification. It can also meet the equipment usage requirements of customers in civilian office areas such as research institutions and universities.
Its main features are as follows:
1. It has powerful heating and cooling performance
2. Heating rate: 15℃/min; Cooling rate: 15℃/min
3. (Temperature range: -45℃ to +155℃)
4. Single-phase 220VAC, meeting the electricity demands of more customers
5. Single-phase 220VAC, suitable for industrial and civil power supply specifications, can meet the equipment power demands of customers in civil office areas such as research institutions and universities.
6. The body is small and exquisite, with a compact structure and easy to move
7. The miniaturized structure design of the test chamber can effectively save configuration space.
8. The inner tank volume is 100L, the width is 600mm, the depth is less than 1400mm, and the product volume is less than 1.1m ³. It is suitable for the vast majority of residential and commercial elevators in China (GB/T7025.1).
9. The standard universal wheels enable the product to move freely at the installation site.
10. Standard air-cooled specification is provided, facilitating the movement and installation of the product
11. At the same time, it saves customers the cost and space of configuring cooling towers.
12. A more ergonomic operation touch screen design
13. Through the multi-angle adjustment of the touch screen, it can meet the operation needs and provide the best field of vision for users of different heights, making it more convenient and comfortable.
14. Energy-saving cold output temperature and humidity control system, with dual PID and water vapor partial pressure control, features mature technology and extremely high precision.
15. Network control and data acquisition can be carried out through the interface (RS-485/GPIB/Web Lan/RS-232C).
16. It is standard-equipped with left and right cable holes (50mm), which facilitates the connection of power on the sample and the conduct of multiple measurements.
17. The controller adopts a color LCD touch screen, which is simple and convenient to operate
18. Through the controller, two control methods, fixed value and program, can be selected to adapt to different applications.
19. The program control can be set to 100 modes, with 99 steps for each mode. Repeat the loop up to 999 times.
20. Multiple languages can be easily switched (Simplified Chinese, English), and test data can be stored on a USB flash drive.
When conducting low-temperature tests in a temperature test chamber, preventing condensation is a crucial and common issue. Condensation not only affects the accuracy of test results, but may also cause irreversible damage to products, such as short circuits, metal corrosion, and degradation of material performance.
The essence of condensation is that when the surface temperature of the product drops below the "dew point temperature" of the ambient air, water vapor in the air condenses into liquid water on the product surface. Based on this principle, the core idea for preventing condensation is to avoid the surface temperature of the product being lower than the dew point temperature of the ambient air. The specific methods are as follows:
Controlling the rate of temperature change is the most commonly used and effective method. By slowing down the rate of cooling or heating, the temperature of the product can keep up with the changes in ambient temperature, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the two and preventing the surface temperature of the product from falling below the dew point.
2. Use dry air or nitrogen to directly reduce the absolute humidity of the air inside the test chamber, thereby significantly lowering the dew point temperature. Even if the surface of the product is very cold, as long as the dew point of the ambient air is lower, condensation will not occur. It is usually used for products that are extremely sensitive to moisture, such as precision circuit boards and aerospace components, etc.
3. Local heating or insulation can ensure that the surface temperature of key components (such as circuit boards and sensors) is always above the dew point, which is more suitable for products with complex structures where only certain areas are sensitive to humidity.
4. Skillfully arrange the temperature cycle through programming to avoid exposing the product at the stage when condensation is most likely to occur. After the test is completed, do not directly open the box door in a normal temperature and humidity environment. Dry gas should first be introduced into the box and the temperature should be slowly raised to room temperature. After the product temperature has also risen, the box can be opened and taken out.
For a typical low-temperature test, the following process can be followed to prevent condensation to the greatest extent
First, place the product and the test chamber in a standard laboratory environment for a sufficient period of time to stabilize their condition. Subsequently, within the range close to room temperature to "0°", set up one or more short-term insulation platforms. Or maintain it at the target low temperature for a sufficient period of time, during which the temperature inside and outside the product is consistent, and usually no new condensation will form. Also, set a heating rate that is slower than the cooling rate. Set up an insulation platform at the initial stage of temperature rise and when approaching the ambient temperature. After the temperature rise is completed, do not open the door immediately. Keep the box door closed and let the product stand in the box for "30 minutes to 2 hours" (depending on the heat capacity of the product), or introduce dry air into the box to accelerate the equalization process. After confirming that the product temperature is close to the ambient temperature, open the box door and take out the product.
The best practice is to use the above methods in combination. For instance, in most cases, "controlling the temperature variation rate" combined with "optimizing the test program (especially during the recovery stage)" can solve 90% of the condensation problems. For military or automotive electronics tests with strict requirements, it may be necessary to simultaneously stipulate the temperature variation rate and require the introduction of dry air.
Temperature control tests are usually conducted under two conditions: no-load (without sample placement) and load (with standard samples or actual samples being tested placed). The basic testing steps are as follows:
1. Preparatory work: Ensure that the heat flow meter has been fully preheated and is in a stable state. Prepare high-precision temperature sensors that have undergone metrological calibration (such as multiple platinum resistance PT100), and their accuracy should be much higher than the claimed indicators of the heat flow meter to be measured.
2. Temperature uniformity test: Multiple calibrated temperature sensors are arranged at different positions within the working area of the heat flow meter's heating plate (such as the center, four corners, edges, etc.). Set one or more typical test temperature points (such as -20°C, 25°C, 80°C). After the system reaches thermal stability, simultaneously record the temperature values of all sensors.
Calculate the maximum, minimum and standard deviation of these readings to evaluate the uniformity.
3. Temperature control stability and accuracy test: Fix a calibrated temperature sensor at the center of the heating plate (or closely attach it to the built-in sensor of the instrument). Set the target temperature and start the temperature control. Record the entire process from the start to reaching the target temperature (for analyzing response speed and overshoot). After reaching the target temperature, continuously record for at least 1-2 hours (or as per standard requirements), with a sampling frequency high enough (such as once per second), and analyze the recorded data.
4. Load test: Place standard reference materials with known thermal physical properties or typical samples to be tested between the hot plates.
Repeat step 3 and observe the changes in temperature control performance under load conditions. Load will directly affect the thermal inertia of the system, thereby influencing the response speed and stability.
When you are choosing or using a heat flow meter, be sure to carefully review the specific parameters regarding temperature control performance in its technical specification sheet and understand under what conditions (no-load/load) these parameters were measured. Lab will provide clear and verifiable temperature control test data and reports.
The over-temperature protection of the temperature test chamber is a multi-level and multi-redundant safety system. Its core purpose is to prevent the temperature inside the chamber from rising out of control due to equipment failure, thereby protecting the safety of the test samples, the test chamber itself and the laboratory environment.
The protection system usually consists of the following key parts working together:
1. Sensor: The main sensor is used for the normal temperature control of the test chamber and provides feedback signals to the main controller. An independent over-temperature protection sensor is the key to a safety system. It is a temperature-sensing element independent of the main control temperature system (usually a platinum resistance or thermocouple), which is placed by strategically at the position within the box that best represents the risk of overheating (such as near the heater outlet or on the top of the working chamber). Its sole task is to monitor over-temperature.
2. Processing unit: The main controller receives signals from the main sensor and executes the set temperature program. The independent over-temperature protector, as an independent hardware device, is specifically designed to receive and process the signals from the over-temperature protection sensor. It does not rely on the main controller. Even if the main controller crashes or experiences a serious malfunction, it can still operate normally.
3. Actuator: The main controller controls the on and off of the heater and the cooler. The safety relay/solid-state relay receives the signal sent by the over-temperature protector and directly cuts off the power supply circuit of the heater. This is the final execution action.
The over-temperature protection of the temperature test chamber is a multi-level, hard-wire connected safety system designed based on the concepts of "redundancy" and "independence". It does not rely on the main control system. Through independent sensors and controllers, when a dangerous temperature is detected, it directly and forcibly cuts off the heating energy and notifies the user through sound and light alarms, thus forming a complete and reliable safety closed loop.
Many products (such as rubber, plastic, insulating materials, electronic components, etc.) will age due to the combined effects of heat and oxygen when exposed to the natural environment over a long period of use, such as becoming hard, brittle, cracking, and experiencing a decline in performance. This process is very slow in its natural state. The air-exchange aging test chamber greatly accelerates the aging process by creating a continuously high-temperature environment and constantly replenishing fresh air in the laboratory, thereby evaluating the long-term heat aging resistance of materials in a short period of time.
The working principle of Lab aging test chamber mainly relies on the collaborative efforts of three systems:
1. The heating system provides and maintains a high-temperature environment inside the test chamber. High-performance electric heaters are usually adopted and installed at the bottom, back or in the air duct of the test chamber. After the controller sets the target temperature (for example, 150°C), the heater starts to work. The air is blown through the heater by a high-power fan. The heated air is forced to circulate inside the box, causing the temperature inside the box to rise evenly and remain at the set value.
2. The ventilation system is the key that distinguishes it from ordinary ovens. At high temperatures, the sample will undergo an oxidation reaction with oxygen in the air, consuming oxygen and generating volatile products. If the air is not exchanged, the oxygen concentration inside the box will decrease, the reaction will slow down, and it may even be surrounded by the products of the sample's own decomposition. This is inconsistent with the actual usage of the product in a naturally ventilated environment.
3. The control system precisely controls the parameters of the entire testing process. The PID (Proportional-integral-Derivative) intelligent control mode is adopted. The real-time temperature is fed back through the temperature sensor inside the box (such as platinum resistance PT100). The controller precisely adjusts the output power of the heater to ensure that the temperature fluctuation is extremely small and remains stable at the set value. Set the air exchange volume within a unit of time (for example, 50 air changes per hour). This is one of the core parameters of the air-exchange aging test chamber, which usually follows relevant test standards (such as GB/T, ASTM, IEC, etc.).
The test chamber creates a high-temperature environment through electric heaters, achieves uniform temperature inside the box by using centrifugal fans, and continuously expels exhaust gases and draws in fresh air through a unique ventilation system. Thus, under controllable experimental conditions, it simulates and accelerates the aging process of materials in a naturally ventilated thermal and oxygen environment. The biggest difference between it and a common oven lies in its "ventilation" function, which enables its test results to more truly reflect the heat aging resistance of the material during long-term use.
Air cooling and water cooling are two mainstream heat dissipation methods in refrigeration equipment. The most fundamental difference between them lies in the different media they use to discharge the heat generated by the system into the external environment: air cooling relies on air, while water cooling relies on water. This core difference has given rise to numerous distinctions among them in terms of installation, usage, cost and applicable scenarios.
1. Air-cooled system
The working principle of an air-cooling system is to force air flow through a fan, blowing it over its core heat dissipation component - the finned condenser, thereby carrying away the heat in the condenser and dissipating it into the surrounding air. Its installation is very simple and flexible. The equipment can operate simply by connecting to the power supply and does not require additional supporting facilities, thus having the lowest requirements for site renovation. This cooling performance is significantly affected by the ambient temperature. In hot summers or high-temperature environments with poor ventilation, due to the reduced temperature difference between the air and the condenser, the heat dissipation efficiency will drop markedly, resulting in a decline in the equipment's cooling capacity and an increase in operational energy consumption. Moreover, it will be accompanied by considerable fan noise during operation. Its initial investment is usually low, and daily maintenance is relatively simple. The main task is to regularly clean the dust on the condenser fins to ensure smooth ventilation. The main operating cost is electricity consumption. Air-cooled systems are highly suitable for small and medium-sized equipment, areas with abundant electricity but scarce water resources or inconvenient water access, laboratories with controllable environmental temperatures, as well as projects with limited budgets or those that prefer a simple and quick installation process.
2. Water-cooled system
The working principle of a water-cooling system is to use circulating water flowing through a dedicated water-cooled condenser to absorb and carry away the heat of the system. The heated water flow is usually transported to the outdoor cooling tower for cooling and then recycled again. Its installation is complex and requires a complete set of external water systems, including cooling towers, water pumps, water pipe networks and water treatment devices. This not only fixes the installation location of the equipment, but also places high demands on site planning and infrastructure. The heat dissipation performance of the system is very stable and is basically not affected by changes in the external environmental temperature. Meanwhile, the operating noise near the equipment body is relatively low. Its initial investment is high. Besides electricity consumption, there are also other costs such as continuous water resource consumption during daily operation. The maintenance work is also more professional and complex, and it is necessary to prevent scale formation, corrosion and microbial growth. Water-cooled systems are mainly suitable for large, high-power industrial-grade equipment, workshops with high ambient temperatures or poor ventilation conditions, as well as situations where extremely high temperature stability and refrigeration efficiency are required.
Choosing between air cooling and water cooling is not about judging their absolute superiority or inferiority, but about finding the solution that best suits one's specific conditions. Decisions should be based on the following considerations: Firstly, large high-power equipment usually prefers water cooling to achieve stable performance. At the same time, the geographical climate of the laboratory (whether it is hot), water supply conditions, installation space and ventilation conditions need to be evaluated. Secondly, if a relatively low initial investment is valued, air cooling is a suitable choice. If the focus is on long-term operational energy efficiency and stability, and one does not mind the relatively high initial construction cost, then water cooling has more advantages. Finally, it is necessary to consider whether one has the professional ability to conduct regular maintenance on complex water systems.
Lab Companion vacuum oven is a precision device that dries materials under low-pressure conditions. Its working principle is based on a core scientific principle: in a vacuum state, the boiling point of a liquid will significantly decrease. Its working process can be divided into three key links:
1. Vacuum creation: By continuously extracting air from the oven chamber through a vacuum pump set, the internal environment is reduced to a level far below atmospheric pressure (typically up to 10Pa or even higher vacuum degrees). This move achieves two purposes: First, it greatly reduces the oxygen content in the cavity, preventing the material from oxidizing during the heating process; The second is to create conditions for the core physical process: low-temperature boiling.
2. Heating provides energy: At the same time as the vacuum environment is established, the heating system (usually using electric heating wires or heating plates) starts to work, providing thermal energy for the materials inside the chamber. Due to the extremely low internal pressure, the boiling points of the moisture or other solvents contained in the material drop sharply. For instance, at a vacuum degree of -0.085MPa, the boiling point of water can be reduced to approximately 45℃. This means that the material does not need to be heated to the conventional 100℃, and the internal moisture can vaporize rapidly at a lower temperature.
3. Steam removal: The water vapor or other solvent vapors produced by vaporization will be released from the surface and interior of the material. Due to the pressure difference within the cavity, these vapors will rapidly diffuse and be continuously drawn away by the vacuum pump, then discharged into the external environment. This process is ongoing continuously, ensuring the maintenance of a dry environment and preventing steam from re-condensing within the cavity, thereby driving the drying reaction to proceed continuously and efficiently towards dehydration.
The "low-temperature and high-efficiency drying" feature of vacuum ovens makes them widely used in the fields of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics, food, and materials science, especially suitable for processing precious, sensitive or difficult-to-dry materials by conventional methods.
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