Esco CelCulture Multi-Gas Incubator

Brand : Esco

Product Code : SKU 3105D INC

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Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 Multi-Gas Incubator

Many cell types exist in environments with oxygen concentrations far below the approximately 21% oxygen found in ambient air. Stem cells, tumor cells, neurons, and numerous primary cell types often experience physiologic oxygen levels ranging from 1% to 7%, making conventional CO₂ incubators less representative of in vivo conditions. The Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 Multi-Gas Incubator was designed to recreate these physiologically relevant environments by providing independent control of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations while maintaining exceptional temperature stability and contamination protection. With a 6 cubic foot (170-liter) chamber, the CCL-170T-9 gives researchers the flexibility to perform both conventional and hypoxic cell culture within a single incubation platform.

Designed for advanced life science research, the CelCulture Multi-Gas series combines precise oxygen regulation, infrared CO₂ sensing, continuous ULPA filtration, and an integrated moist heat decontamination cycle to support demanding cell culture applications. Whether studying cancer biology, stem cell differentiation, regenerative medicine, immunology, or developmental biology, the CCL-170T-9 provides the environmental control needed to more closely replicate in vivo cellular conditions. Purchasing a refurbished Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 from American Instrument Exchange offers laboratories an advanced tri-gas incubation system at significant savings compared with purchasing new equipment.

Key Features

Approximately 6 cu. ft. (170 L) chamber capacity
Independent oxygen and carbon dioxide control
Oxygen range from 1% to 20%
Carbon dioxide range from 0% to 20%
Zirconia oxygen sensor
Infrared (IR) CO₂ sensor
Temperature range from ambient +10°C to 60°C
Continuous ULPA filtration maintaining ISO Class 5 chamber cleanliness
ISOCIDE antimicrobial exterior coating
90°C moist heat decontamination cycle
Segmented heated inner glass doors
High-humidity incubation environment
Stainless steel chamber interior
Digital microprocessor controller
Audible and visual alarms
90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange

Designed for Physiologic Oxygen Cell Culture

Unlike conventional CO₂ incubators that regulate only temperature and carbon dioxide, the Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 allows researchers to control oxygen concentration independently, creating incubation environments that more closely resemble those found within living tissues. Lower oxygen concentrations—commonly referred to as hypoxic or physiologic oxygen conditions—are increasingly recognized as important for maintaining normal cellular behavior, influencing gene expression, metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation.

By introducing nitrogen into the chamber, the incubator reduces oxygen concentration to user-defined levels while independently regulating CO₂ and temperature. This capability enables researchers to investigate cellular responses to hypoxia, simulate disease states, improve stem cell maintenance, and perform experiments that would be difficult to reproduce under atmospheric oxygen conditions.

The chamber accommodates tissue culture flasks, multiwell plates, culture dishes, spinner flasks, and other standard cell culture vessels, providing ample capacity for multiple concurrent research projects without sacrificing environmental precision.

Common Applications

The Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 is commonly used for:

Hypoxic cell culture
Stem cell research
Cancer biology
Tumor microenvironment studies
Regenerative medicine
Immunology research
Developmental biology
Primary cell culture
Tissue engineering
Neuroscience research
Cardiovascular research
Pharmaceutical drug development
Biotechnology research
Academic life science research

Its ability to regulate oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity independently makes it particularly valuable for laboratories investigating cellular behavior under physiologically relevant environmental conditions.

Ideal Laboratory Environments

The Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 is well suited for university research laboratories, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, cancer research centers, regenerative medicine laboratories, contract research organizations, and translational medicine facilities.

Researchers studying hypoxia, stem cell biology, tissue regeneration, oncology, or cellular metabolism can benefit from the incubator's precise gas regulation and contamination control systems. The compact footprint also makes it an excellent solution for laboratories expanding into physiologic oxygen research without requiring a large walk-in incubation facility.

Temperature Recovery and Environmental Stability

Maintaining stable environmental conditions is particularly important when both oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations are tightly regulated. The Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 utilizes a microprocessor-controlled heating system together with independent infrared CO₂ and zirconia oxygen sensors to continuously monitor and regulate chamber conditions. Rapid recovery following routine door openings helps minimize disruption to sensitive experiments while maintaining consistent incubation parameters.

The segmented heated inner glass doors further reduce environmental disturbance by allowing users to access only a portion of the chamber during routine sample retrieval. Combined with controlled humidity and efficient airflow management, the incubator quickly restores programmed temperature and gas concentrations, supporting reproducible experimental conditions throughout extended culture periods.

Advanced Contamination Control

While oxygen regulation distinguishes the CCL-170T-9 from conventional CO₂ incubators, Esco's contamination control technologies remain an equally important part of the incubator's design. Chamber air continuously circulates through an ULPA filtration system that maintains ISO Class 5 clean-air conditions, reducing airborne particulate contamination during routine laboratory use.

The stainless steel chamber interior simplifies cleaning, while the ISOCIDE antimicrobial exterior coating helps inhibit microbial growth on frequently touched exterior surfaces. Routine sanitation is further supported by the integrated 90°C moist heat decontamination cycle, allowing laboratories to disinfect the chamber between projects with minimal downtime. Together, these systems help create a clean, stable environment for sensitive cell cultures while protecting valuable research from contamination.

Sample Storage Recommendations

With approximately 6 cubic feet (170 liters) of chamber capacity, the Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 provides sufficient space for advanced hypoxic and multi-gas cell culture without occupying excessive laboratory floor space. The chamber accommodates T-flasks, culture dishes, multiwell plates, spinner flasks, roller bottles, cell culture bags, and other vessels commonly used in biotechnology and biomedical research.

For laboratories performing oxygen-sensitive experiments, proper sample organization is particularly important. Culture vessels should be evenly distributed throughout the chamber with adequate spacing to promote unrestricted airflow and consistent gas distribution. Avoid overloading shelves or blocking air circulation, as doing so can affect temperature, humidity, CO₂, and oxygen uniformity.

Many researchers dedicate individual shelves to separate oxygen protocols or experimental groups. Organizing samples by oxygen concentration, collection interval, or research project can simplify workflow while minimizing unnecessary door openings that may temporarily disturb the chamber environment.

Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs

The Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 was engineered to provide precise control of temperature, carbon dioxide, and oxygen while maintaining efficient day-to-day operation. Its insulated cabinet, microprocessor-controlled heating system, and optimized airflow design help maintain programmed environmental conditions with rapid recovery following routine access.

The segmented heated inner glass doors reduce the amount of conditioned air exchanged during sample retrieval, allowing the incubator to restore temperature and gas concentrations more quickly than designs requiring the entire chamber to be exposed. This not only supports experimental consistency but also reduces the amount of nitrogen and carbon dioxide required to re-establish programmed environmental conditions.

Continuous ULPA filtration maintains ISO Class 5 chamber cleanliness without interrupting normal operation, while the integrated 90°C moist heat decontamination cycle simplifies routine sanitation between research projects. Together, these features help reduce maintenance requirements and laboratory downtime while supporting reliable long-term performance.

Key Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Esco
Model	CelCulture CCL-170T-9
Incubator Type	Multi-Gas (Tri-Gas) Incubator
Chamber Capacity	Approximately 170 L (6.0 cu. ft.)
Temperature Range	Ambient +10°C to 60°C
Oxygen Range	1% to 20%
CO₂ Range	0% to 20%
Oxygen Sensor	Zirconia
CO₂ Sensor	Infrared (IR)
Humidity Control	Up to Approximately 95% Relative Humidity
Air Filtration	Continuous ULPA Filtration (ISO Class 5 Chamber Cleanliness)
Chamber Material	Stainless Steel
Exterior Finish	ISOCIDE Antimicrobial Powder Coating
Decontamination	90°C Moist Heat Cycle
Door Configuration	Segmented Heated Inner Glass Doors with Insulated Outer Door
Controller	Digital Microprocessor
Display	Digital LED Display
Interior Dimensions	Approximately 19.7" W × 20.5" D × 26.8" H
Exterior Dimensions	Approximately 25.8" W × 30.7" D × 39.8" H
Shelving	Adjustable Stainless Steel Shelves
Alarm System	Audible and Visual
Electrical Requirements	120 V
Approximate Weight	Approximately 225 lb

Specifications are believed to be accurate but may vary depending on factory-installed options. Please verify all specifications prior to purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a multi-gas incubator?

A multi-gas, or tri-gas, incubator independently controls temperature, carbon dioxide, and oxygen concentrations. By introducing nitrogen into the chamber, it can reduce oxygen to physiologically relevant levels while maintaining stable CO₂ and temperature for advanced cell culture applications.

Why is low-oxygen cell culture important?

Many tissues within the human body naturally exist in oxygen concentrations far below atmospheric levels. Culturing cells under reduced oxygen conditions can produce more physiologically relevant results for studies involving stem cells, cancer biology, regenerative medicine, immunology, and cellular metabolism.

What is the advantage of a zirconia oxygen sensor?

A zirconia sensor continuously measures chamber oxygen concentration with high accuracy and long-term stability. This allows researchers to precisely maintain hypoxic conditions throughout extended experiments.

Why does this incubator also use an infrared CO₂ sensor?

Infrared CO₂ sensors provide highly accurate carbon dioxide measurement and are largely unaffected by chamber humidity. Combined with zirconia oxygen sensing, they allow independent regulation of both gases for reproducible experimental conditions.

What does ISO Class 5 chamber cleanliness mean?

Continuous ULPA filtration maintains an exceptionally clean chamber environment by removing airborne particulates during normal operation. This helps reduce contamination risk when working with valuable or contamination-sensitive cell cultures.

What types of research benefit from a multi-gas incubator?

The CCL-170T-9 is commonly used for stem cell research, cancer biology, tumor microenvironment studies, regenerative medicine, developmental biology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular research, tissue engineering, and other applications where oxygen concentration influences cellular behavior.

Why are the segmented inner glass doors beneficial?

The segmented doors allow researchers to access only the section of the chamber containing the required samples, minimizing disruption to the remaining cultures. This helps preserve temperature, humidity, oxygen, and CO₂ stability while improving recovery following routine access.

Why purchase a refurbished Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 from American Instrument Exchange?

Purchasing a refurbished Esco CelCulture CCL-170T-9 from American Instrument Exchange provides laboratories with a sophisticated multi-gas incubation system capable of precise oxygen and carbon dioxide control at substantial savings compared with buying new equipment. Every incubator is inspected and tested prior to shipment and includes a 90-day warranty, providing confidence that it is ready to support demanding life science and cell culture research.

Testing Procedures for Used and Refurbished CO₂ Laboratory Incubators
Ensure Atmosphere Control, Temperature Accuracy, and Regulatory Compliance

At American Instrument Exchange, all used and refurbished CO₂ incubators undergo a multi-step testing and calibration process. These procedures are designed to ensure precise environmental control, microbial safety, and long-term reliability—critical for cell culture, IVF, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical R&D applications.

Why Testing Used CO₂ Incubators Is Essential

Before a CO₂ incubator is redeployed into a laboratory, it must be thoroughly tested for:
• CO₂ sensor accuracy and gas concentration control
• Temperature uniformity and stability
• Humidity system function
• HEPA filtration and contamination control
• Electrical and safety compliance

Proper testing ensures viable growth environments for sensitive cultures and prevents costly contamination or culture loss in high-stakes lab environments.

Our standardized refurbishment protocol ensures used CO₂ incubators deliver laboratory grade performance at a fraction of the cost of comparable new units.

Key Testing Procedures for Refurbished and Used CO₂ Incubators

1. Initial Visual Inspection
• Inspect the exterior for corrosion, dents, or door alignment issues
• Check door gasket integrity and hinge function
• Verify presence and condition of internal shelves, water pans, and humidity trays
• Examine power cords, gas connectors, and display interfaces for signs of wear

2. Functional Startup Test
• Power on the unit and check for successful system boot
• Verify touchscreen or keypad response, and test all user-programmable settings
• Check door alarms and temperature/CO₂ alerts

3. Temperature Control and Uniformity Testing
• Use temperature probes to verify internal temperature accuracy
• Monitor temperature uniformity across multiple chamber zones
• Ensure fast recovery times after door openings

4. CO₂ Sensor Testing and Gas Delivery System Test
• Test accuracy of infrared (IR) or thermal conductivity (TC) CO₂ sensors using certified reference gas and probes/Fyrite analyzers
• Test inlet pressure regulators and gas flow control systems
• Confirm stable CO₂ levels at multiple setpoints (e.g., 5%, 10%)
• Check for proper mixing and diffusion throughout the chamber

5. Humidity and Contamination Control Testing
• Test humidity generation (via water pan or active system) and verify chamber RH levels
• Inspect HEPA filters (if equipped) and airflow systems for particulate control
• Sanitize interior and confirm antimicrobial coatings or copper components are intact

6. Electrical Safety and Compliance Check
• Ensure proper grounding and insulation of all electrical components
• Perform leak and continuity testing
• Verify the unit meets electrical safety standards for laboratory environments

7. Final Quality Assurance and Performance Validation
• Run a 24-hour performance cycle with monitored CO₂, temperature, and RH
• Document data and final readings
• Complete service report

All refurbished CO₂ incubators sold by American Instrument Exchange are tested to meet the performance demands of today's advanced laboratory workflows—ensuring safety, precision, and peace of mind with every unit.

Repair and Refurbishment Protocol for Used Laboratory Incubators
Performance and Quality from American Instrument Exchange

At American Instrument Exchange, every used laboratory incubator we sell goes through a repair and refurbishment protocol. Whether it’s a standard, CO₂, or refrigerated incubator, our goal is to restore each unit to laboratory-level performance—ensuring temperature accuracy, environmental stability, and long-term reliability in your lab.

Why Choose a Refurbished Laboratory Incubator from American Instrument Exchange?

• Fully tested for performance and safety
• Backed by a warranty
• Cost-effective alternative to new equipment
• Environmentally sustainable through reuse and restoration
• Refurbished by expert technicians with decades of lab equipment experience

Step-by-Step Refurbishment Protocol

Every incubator at American Instrument Exchange follows this comprehensive, multi-stage process:

1. Initial Intake & Inspection
• Visual inspection for cosmetic wear, corrosion, dents, or broken components
• Mechanical assessment of door hinges, gaskets, seals, and chamber components
• Document any missing parts or issues requiring repair or replacement

2. Cleaning and Decontamination
• Thorough internal and external cleaning using non-abrasive solutions
• Decontamination/cleaning of surfaces to remove biological, chemical, or particulate residue
• Cleaning of removable parts (e.g., shelves, trays, etc.)

3. Mechanical and Electrical Repair
• Repair or replacement of worn mechanical components such as door latches, fans, hinges, and seals
• Evaluation and repair of control panels, switches, thermostats, and displays
• Inspection and testing of wiring, fuses, relays, and power supplies

4. Environmental Control System Assessment
• For CO₂ incubators: CO₂ sensors, regulators, and gas delivery systems are tested
• For refrigerated incubators: compressors, condensers, and cooling systems are evaluated for performance and leaks
• Fan motors and airflow systems are tested to ensure uniform environmental conditions

5. Temperature and Sensor Testing
• All temperature sensors and controllers are tested using thermometers/probes
• Uniformity and accuracy tested at multiple chamber locations
• For humidified or CO₂ incubators, humidity and CO₂ stability are verified

6. Safety System Testing
• Test of over-temperature protection systems and alarms
• Evaluation of door sensors, safety interlocks, and power failure recovery

7. Final Quality Control and Documentation
• Full performance test run over 24 hours
• Validation of setpoints for temperature, CO₂ (if applicable), and humidity (if applicable)
• Final inspection and cleaning before packaging
• Complete service report

Trust the Experts at American Instrument Exchange

With over 50 years in the lab equipment industry, American Instrument Exchange is a trusted source for high-quality refurbished laboratory incubators. Our proven refurbishment protocol ensures every unit is reliable, accurate, and ready to meet the demands of your lab from day one.

Warranty Information

All used equipment sold by American Instrument Exchange is refurbished/reconditioned, tested to meet specifications, cleaned, and comes with a 90-day warranty from the date of shipment unless otherwise specified. New products include a warranty from the manufacturer. Your warranty is only valid if you have paid your invoice. If your invoice is over 30 days old, warranty work will not be performed until your invoice is paid in full. American Instrument Exchange is not liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials on this site or the performance of the products,

Exceptions include international sales and items that are agreed to be sold with a lesser warranty or items that are agreed to be sold “as is.”

Should there be visible shipping damage to packaging or concealed shipping damage to item(s) supplied, buyer must communicate such damage to the delivering entity or carrier upon receipt first and to American Instrument the same day item is accepted / signed for. Failure to do so voids warranty. Customer decision to involve / procure third party or OEM service other than American Instrument or AIE assigned vendors to resolve in-warranty instrument failure or defect without first placing a service call to American Instrument voids warranty.

Return & Cancellation Policy

American Instrument Exchange will authorize the return of and issue a full refund for any equipment that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer’s satisfaction by AIE or a representative of AIE during the warranty period. Returns without prior authorization and an RMA number will not be accepted.

Customers are responsible for proper packaging of the equipment and all included accessories. American Instrument will pay for insurance and shipping costs. Non-inventory items bought specifically to fill customer orders may possibly be returned, but on a case by case basis.

Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun or after delivery where there are no equipment performance issues may be subject to a Restocking/Cancellation Fee of 20% or more and responsible for shipping costs for both the delivery and return.

Ongoing and Extended Support Options

American Instrument Exchange is able to provide additional repair and support services outside the warranty terms for most products that sell.

For biosafety cabinets, clean benches, chemical fume hoods, and other clean air products our team at AIE Laboratory Services can provide certifications, repairs, decontaminations, and other services for customers throughout New England, and guidance and limited technical assistance for any customers in the US and Canada for new or refurbished biosafety cabinets purchased from American Instrument Exchange.

For all other products, the repair service team at American Instrument Exchange can provide both field and depot repair evaluations. We can easily schedule and coordinate the pick-up and transportation of your malfunctioning equipment. By offering hourly rates lower than most OEM service providers and eliminating travel time for technicians, we help reduce repair costs. Furthermore, our lab depot repair service minimizes or eliminates scheduling delays. Our experienced service technicians are qualified to restore your equipment to factory specifications.

Please contact our team at info@americaninstrument.com for more details.

FAQ

Does the equipment come with a warranty?

Yes, all equipment from American Instrument Exchange comes with a warranty.
Used/reconditioned/refurbished equipment is tested to make sure it operates to the manufacturer's specifications and comes with a 90-day warranty (unless otherwise noted). New equipment comes with a warranty from the manufacturer.

How do you test and recondition the equipment?

Testing requirements vary across all the equipment categories we sell. Temperature controlled units are tested with NIST traceable probes and data loggers. Gaskets, external housing, glass, handles, controls and control screens are all thoroughly inspected for integrity and functionality.
We test all equipment using the manufacturer's parameters and specifications to confirm that the unit operates properly.

How do products ship from American Instrument Exchange?

We can ship products both nationally and internationally using a well-established network of transporters. Smaller items will ship via UPS. Larger equipment will be palletized and shipped either LTL or air-ride, depending on the specific equipment and/or delivery requirements.

Return and order cancellation policy

American Instrument Exchange will accept the return of any product that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer's satisfaction during the warranty period. Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun will be subject to a cancellation and restocking fee of between 20% and 40%.

Are discounts available for educational or non-profit institutions, or for bulk purchases?

Yes – call or email us today with a list of equipment you're looking for and we can potentially put together a quote that includes a discount.

How does your price matching policy work?

We strive to keep our pricing competitive and reasonable. If you find comparable items for sale at a lower price from other vendors please send us a link and or quote for the item and we'll do our best to match or beat the price.

Can I see the equipment in person before committing to a purchase?

Customers are welcome to make an appointment to view equipment in our warehouse. Given our workload we may not be able to test or clean the equipment prior to your arrival if you have not committed to an order.

1023 Western Avenue is a working warehouse, not a showroom, and customers should dress appropriately and wear closed toe shoes.

Can I ship products that I purchased elsewhere to American Instrument for repair?

Yes – please see our repair services page for more information.