Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) Freezers in Drug R&D Laboratory

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Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) Freezers in Drug R&D Laboratory

It’s no secret that scientific research laboratories worldwide aren’t the most eco-friendly institutions. High energy utilization, single-use products, and continuous chemical consumption are among the many routine ways a laboratory can harm the environment. After all, biological sample management isn’t a piece of cake. However, we can proactively address improper laboratory practices to lessen their adverse environmental impact.

Ultra-low-temperature (ULT) freezers are indispensable for clinical sample storage, but they are also one of the biggest culprits for energy consumption in research laboratories. On average, they consume 16–25 kWh per day per freezer. At NorthEast BioLab, we currently have 10+ ULT freezers in use. If handled improperly, these freezers could meter up a large energy bill and an even larger carbon footprint. We have taken multiple steps to lessen our freezers’ energy consumption and negative environmental impact.

Incorporating sustainable practices into our sample study protocols has been a priority. We have developed guidelines for sample storage, emphasizing efficient use of freezer space and optimizing inventory management to reduce the number of freezers required. We have implemented temperature monitoring systems to ensure our freezers operate at the optimal temperature range, minimizing energy waste.

For instance, implementing a clinical sample management system that optimizes freezer space utilization reduces the need for additional freezers and energy consumption. This approach ensures efficient clinical trial sample management, adhering to sample clinical trial protocols and sample study protocols while minimizing environmental impact. Regularly defrosting and maintaining ULT freezers ensures optimal performance, minimizing energy wastage. We’ve also transitioned to energy-efficient ULT freezer models and explored alternative cooling technologies to reduce our environmental footprint further.

By adopting sustainable practices in biological sample management, such as optimizing freezer usage and investing in energy-efficient equipment, laboratories can significantly reduce their environmental impact while maintaining the integrity of their biological sample collection and clinical sample storage for research and clinical purposes. Implementing protocol samples for clinical research that include guidelines for efficient freezer utilization and maintenance can further enhance the sustainability of sample management practices in clinical research.

Set up for success

To optimize biological sample management and ensure the integrity of clinical samples, NorthEast BioLab implements several key practices:

Raise The Set Temperature From -80^oC to -70^oC

This practice will not affect sample integrity, but it will lower the freezer’s energy consumption by 1-2 kWh per day. Lowering the stress on the compressor will also raise the freezer’s life span, aligning with the sample study protocol requirements for protocol samples for clinical research.

Do not set up freezers in small rooms/hallways

ULT freezers in small spaces work the compressors harder to maintain the set temperature. This can increase the room temperature by 10-15oC and stress the lab’s HVAC system further. Ensuring proper spacing around freezers is crucial for maintaining temperature stability and prolonging equipment life, essential for adhering to sample clinical trial protocol requirements.

Ensure that all freezers have at least eight inches of surrounding space

ULT freezers produce plenty of heat. If that heat has nowhere to go, it will cycle back into the freezer motor, causing the motor to work harder and use more energy. Adequate ventilation is vital for maintaining consistent temperatures, ensuring the quality and integrity of clinical sample storage, and aligning with the sample study protocol in clinical research.

Install a two-way ventilation system

At NorthEast BioLab, we have an adjustable exhaust system behind all our freezers. The hot air generated is expelled outdoors during summer and circulated throughout the lab to assist in heating during winter. This ensures optimal temperature control year-round, which is crucial for clinical sample storage, especially in clinical trial sample management, where maintaining consistent conditions is paramount.
By implementing these measures, NorthEast BioLab maintains optimal conditions for biological sample collection, clinical sample management, and overall biological sample management, safeguarding sample integrity while maximizing energy efficiency and equipment longevity.

Stay on the course

Staying on course with proper freezer maintenance is crucial for efficient biological sample management, ensuring the integrity of clinical sample management and the upkeep of biological sample collections.

Do not let ice/frost buildup occur in the freezer

Ice/frost lining of the seal gasket on the door happens over time. This allows cold air to seep out and warm air to seep in, which can compromise clinical trial sample management. Thus, it is important to check for frost and ice buildup regularly, at least once a month. Otherwise, it can make biological sample management very difficult.

Regularly clean air filters and motor coils

Dust and grime accumulate over the air filter and motor coils over time, making the freezer motor work harder than needed. This can impact clinical sample storage efficiency and the overall sample clinical trial protocol and protocol samples for clinical research. Regular cleaning of these components can reduce freezer energy consumption by up to 25%. While it’s important to check this every few months, cleaning is generally only required once per year.

Replace Old ULT Freezers

When freezers reach the end of their lifespan, they can begin to use 2-4 times as much energy as when they were brand new, affecting clinical sample storage. The average lifespan of a ULT freezer is 7-10 years when operating at -80oC and 10-12 years at -70oC. Considering the importance of clinical trial sample management, replacing old ULT freezers to reduce energy consumption and maintaining the integrity of the biological sample collection as per the clinical sample storage standards is advisable. Even though new ULT freezers are expensive (generally around $12,000-15,000), the savings from a reduction in energy usage can easily be over $1,000 annually. So, consider replacing your old ULT freezers to reduce energy consumption to keep clinical trial sample management efficient and the biological sample collection intact.

Monitor Temperature 24×7

Temperature monitoring not only ensures sample integrity but also provides actionable data regarding the freezer’s energy usage and efficiency. At NorthEast BioLab, we check each freezer’s temperature chart at least once per week.

Telltale signs of an inefficient freezer include:

Average temperature observed below the set temperature
Significant rising and falling temperatures when the freezer doors have remained closed
Gradual increase / decline in average temperature over any period

All these signs can point to an aging compressor that will soon fail and is likely using more energy than needed, or a leak in the freezer allows warm air in.

Even though the energy consumed by ULT freezers will likely always be quite significant, we still can’t avoid using them, as they are crucial for any drug R&D laboratory and pivotal for clinical trial sample management and biological sample management. However, it’s noteworthy that their energy consumption can be greatly decreased by following a few simple steps during setup, monitoring, and maintenance. While many eco-friendly clinical sample management practices implemented at laboratories come with significant costs, lessening ULT freezers’ energy consumption can help the environment and your wallet. By following proper setup, monitoring, and maintenance of sample clinical trial protocols or protocol samples for clinical research, laboratories can decrease energy usage while maintaining the integrity of biological sample collections.