A Guide To Different Types Of Ovens Used In Laboratories

 An oven is a chamber that can maintain a variably controllable temperature for heating & drying different samples in laboratories. Laboratory ovens are indispensable tools for many experiments, providing a controlled environment of heat, humidity, cleanliness and airflow not found in regular homes.

Common laboratory ovens include vacuum, gravity convention, forced air ovens, etc. If you are looking to get a new oven for your lab, then you need to go through all your options:

·         Laboratory Vacuum Ovens

These vacuums work on Coriolis Effect and are used in low-vacuum and high-vacuum applications. Vacuum ovens are primarily used to perform physical, chemical and thermal changes at various temperature ranges. The vacuum oven has a heating element, a temperature sensor, and an exhaust system for removing materials. Laboratory Vacuum Ovens provide an ideal environment for desiccating chemicals without heating them beyond safe temperatures.

·         Gravity Convention Ovens

These ovens are commonly used for drying. They are generally used to maintain the temperature in the 110-160F range and can be used for either conventional or convection drying. The heat radiates from upward-flowing hot air and can be modified with baffles, flaps or fans to perform other operations such as convection drying, cooking and baking.

·         Forced Air Ovens

These ovens have a fan that uses forced air circulation to transport heat through heating elements placed in the oven's chamber. They can perform all kinds of functions like cooking, baking and drying depending on the information provided about their make and model.

·         Convection Ovens

These ovens have fans that move hot air around a heating element to provide an even temperature throughout the chamber. They are usually used with gravity ovens to dry samples under a gentle upward hot air flow. These convection ovens are used to dry samples by removing moisture through sublimation.

To Sum Up!

Laboratory ovens come in different types, and all serve a specific purpose. It is best to know your purpose and then select an oven that can give you the best results. Vacuum ovens work well for low vacuum, and gravity convention is best for drying, forced air for baking & cooking and convection for mixing.

Tips for Proper Handling of Laboratory Desiccators

 A laboratory desiccator is a device used to remove moisture from the air before it enters an enclosed space. This can prevent the growth of mould and bacteria, as well as limit the risk of fire. However, laboratory desiccators should always be used with care and caution.

Many potential hazards are associated with using this device, such as hazardous spills or exposure to toxic chemicals. Nevertheless, there are a few tips that you should keep in mind while using desiccators to ensure safety around your workplace:

1.      Check For Leaks For Before Using

Be aware of any possible leaks in your desiccator, especially if you have noticed moisture seeping out around or under seams. Do not attempt to repair any leaks until you have consulted a professional repair technician or well-trained expert. It is always better to replace the old desiccant with a new one than risk exposure to potentially harmful chemicals or bacteria in your air supply.

2.      Keep It Ventilated

While each Laboratory Desiccator has different characteristics and needs, it is important to remember that all must be properly ventilated. A properly constructed desiccator should not cause any problems for you during use. Still, a poorly built unit could result in your being exposed to harmful chemicals or lead to injuries from falling objects.

3.      Regular Cleaning For Long Term Use

One of the best ways to ensure that your desiccant is less prone to exterior tampering is by keeping it clean and free of dust or other contaminants. Make sure that you are cleaning your desiccant regularly, even when it is empty, to prevent the growth of unwanted contaminants.

4.      Store It Securely

The safest way to store a desiccant is in an upright position. This will allow the greatest amount of air to pass through during use and keep dust from accumulating and blocking any openings. However, if you find any problems with your desiccator, it is best to store it on its side so that moisture cannot accumulate over time. If you want to learn about Laboratory Desiccators, click here.

Conclusion                                                                                                              

A laboratory desiccator is an important equipment that should be used and handled with care. There are a few tips and guidelines that you should keep in mind to ensure the safety of yourself, your co-workers and the possible surrounding environments.

Is It Wise to Use Portable Ductless Fume Hoods In Lab?

 A portable ductless fume hood is a small, self-contained device that quickly and efficiently removes hazardous fumes from the lab. These fume hoods are versatile and can be easily transported to any lab, even while a process or experiment is still running.

In an emergency, there would be time to remove the equipment and chemicals from the room instead of rushing out themselves. This would preserve greater safety as well as prevent damage to the surroundings. Take a look at these pointers to understand why your lab needs a portable ductless fume hood:

ü  Suits Every Need

Before you purchase a ductless fume hood for any purpose, you must understand your lab's needs. What are the activities that occur in your lab? Do these activities require great ventilation or just a few minutes of exposure? Knowing this will help you focus on an appropriate device.​ Regardless of your needs, a Portable Ductless Fume Hood will suit almost every type of lab to create a safe environment.

ü  Convenient

Another advantage of using portable ductless fume hoods in labs is they are extremely easy to assemble and use. They even include an adjustable height that makes it convenient and easy to work in. Later on, when the hood is not required, it is simple to pack up and store away in its original box where it came from.

ü  Versatile

These products are also highly adaptable. They can be easily used with both bench tops and lab tables as well as with overhangs, ceilings and beams. Another thing to love about portable ductless fume hoods is that they feature an open back. This enables the airflow to be stopped at any time, safely allowing you an opportunity to move in and out of the area.

ü  Economical

Many companies choose portable ductless fume hoods because they are extremely cost-effective solutions in comparison to larger fume hoods that require permanent installation and ventilation systems, not to mention the costs of these systems themselves.

All it takes is one spark or open flame in a room full of volatile chemicals, and all that's left are fumes and rubble. Therefore, get portable and ductless fume hoods to clear out toxic fumes from your lab to avoid accidents. These fume hoods are available in variable sizes to meet different requirements.

Why Choose Horizontal Flow Hoods for Your Lab?

 For any lab using chemical, biological or hazardous materials, it is crucial to control and contain the flow of air to prevent contaminants from escaping and entering the work area. Horizontal flow hoods are an excellent solution for these labs because they provide a barrier between workers and overhead chemical contamination.

They also offer superior filtration than conventional hoods because they are vertically aligned. Here are a few reasons why horizontal flow hoods are best for your labs:

1.      Better Control Over Contamination

Horizontal hoods offer a better barrier from airborne contaminant exposure than any vertical hood on the market. This is because the air can be filtered from the top and bottom, which filters out contaminants from above, below and both sides. Vertical hoods are only filters for contamination coming downward, leaving contaminants to enter or exit from gaps in the top of the unit.

2.      Improved Employee Safety

Horizontal flow hoods achieve greater internal filtration than vertical hoods because their design allows for greater airflow, increasing filtration ability. This also improves employee safety since they provide more overall protection than a vertical unit. You can create a safe working environment inside your lab and ensure that all toxic fumes are taken care of. Horizontal Flow Hoods have built-in pre-filters to reduce particulate and liquid contamination exposure.

3.      Better Applications

Horizontal units are better at containing hazardous materials within a lab because they filter horizontally and vertically (as opposed to only vertically). They are also better at containing hazardous materials within a lab because their design allows for multiple filter changes, eliminating the need for expensive replacement filters or parts.

4.      Longer Filter Life

Horizontal units allow for greater airflow, filtration area and efficiency than vertical units. These factors contribute to longer filter life and more consistent filtration/ventilation. In addition, the lower amount of filters in a horizontal unit (as opposed to vertical) means that they can be cleaned less frequently, thus saving both time and labour costs on the user's part.

A horizontal fume hood is designed to be reused instead of disposable, which saves you money and extends its useful life. There is no need to worry about where you place chemicals since horizontal flow hoods will simply pull them out of your work area as required.