Bod Incubator

BOD Incubator refers to Biological Oxygen Demand incubator and is widely used in microbiology laboratories for cell culture and fungal growth, BOD test, fermentation, crop and various pharmaceutical tests, etc. They are especially useful in determining levels of organic matter and nitrogen in waste water samples. The BOD incubator’s primary function is to provide the required temperature for the growth of these microorganisms so as to allow a lab to perform the BOD testing. 

Many industrial sectors use BOD incubators such as pharmaceutical, agriculture, beverages and research laboratories. It is also used in waste processing plants to define the performance of the waste treatment system. Meanwhile, BOD incubators are used in the liquor production and testing to distinguish the nourishment in intended working situations. In the farming sector they are used to define the germination of anaerobic bacteria.

The working principle of any BOD incubator is very simple. Electricity is supplied through mains and the required temperature is set through the digital PID temperature controller, usually at 20°C. Depending on the test that is being performed the incubator is kept running for a minimum of 5 days with the refrigeration system starting just after setting the temperature with the axial fan circulating the air inside chamber.

The general features of any BOD incubator are its digital PID temperature controller, a digital timer, temperature variation alarm, fire resistant insulation, height adjustable stainless steel shelves and an illumination through LED lamp.

The foremost difference between an incubator and BOD incubator is temperature control. A normal incubator has just heating options and is normally performed at 37°C, whereas a BOD incubator has both the heating and cooling options. This is the reason why a BOD Incubator is also referred to as a refrigerator incubator or cooling incubator because it holds both cooling and heating options. Most tests on a BOD incubator is performed at low temperatures like 10°C and 21°C.

BOD Incubators have a double-wall consisting of an exterior and interior wall. The exterior wall is made of thick mild steel and powder coated, while the interior wall is made of stainless steel. Meanwhile, the space between the two walls is loaded with PUF insulation.

The BOD incubator is a very sensitive machine and should be handled with utmost care. Apart from the instructions in the manual here are some of the precautions you should take. First, always disconnect the BOD incubator from the socket when it is not in use. Second, before you run the BOD incubator read the instruction manual carefully and never overuse it. Third, avoid downtime and maintain the working condition of the incubator with periodic servicing. Fourth, to maintain its working performance, clean the BOD incubator regularly. Fifth, monitor the temperature changes in the BOD incubator on monthly basis. Last but not the least, during the cleaning of the BOD incubator make sure the incubator is disconnected from the power supply.