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MICROPROCESSOR-CONTROLLED MINI-ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBERS CAPABLE OF SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES IN CONSTANT OR TIME-VARYING TEMPERATURE REGIMES

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

D.R. Gray ,
F.W. Ravlin  and
J.A. Logan
D.R. Gray
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Price Hall, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA 24061-0319
F.W. Ravlin
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Price Hall, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA 24061-0319
J.A. Logan
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Price Hall, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA 24061-0319
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Abstract

A set of six microprocessor-controlled mini-environmental chambers (0.04 m3 each) was designed, built, and tested. Chambers are capable of subfreezing temperatures (less than −10 °C) and can operate under constant or time-varying temperature regimes. Chambers are cooled by circulating ethyl alcohol from a reservoir chilled by an immersion cooler. Heat is provided by 17-W cartridge heaters. Temperatures are independently controlled by a single IBM 8088 computer instructing a data acquisition and control system. A single photoperiod is maintained by a commercial timer activating two miniature light bulbs in each chamber. Chamber temperatures were within 0.5 or 0.75 °C of the set temperature 65 or 94% of the time, respectively, during a 39-d test period. Minimum temperature capabilities were estimated for a variety of chamber configurations by an examination of the thermodynamic characteristics of the system.

Résumé

Un montage de six mini-enceintes (0,04 m3) réglées par des micro-processeurs a été conçu, construit et éprouvé. Ces enceintes peuvent atteindre des températures inférieures au point de congélation (<−10 °C) et peuvent fonctionner à des régimes de température ambiante constants ou variables. Les enceintes sont refroidies par circulation d’alcool éthylique à partir d’un réservoir muni d’un appareil de refroidissement submersible. La chaleur est assurée par des cartouches chauffantes de 17 W. Les températures sont réglées indépendamment par un seul ordinateur IBM 8088 envoyant des directives à un système d’acquisition et de contrôle de données. Dans chaque enceinte, la même photopériode est maintenue au moyen d’une minuterie commerciale actionnant deux ampoules électriques miniatures. Au cours d’un test d’une durée de 39 jours, les températures dans les enceintes se sont maintenues à 0,5 et 0,75 °C de la température de réglage dans 65 et 94% du temps respectivement. La température minimale potentielle des enceintes a été estimée dans un assortiment de montages par examen des caractéristiques thermodynamiques du système.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 130 , Issue 1 , February 1998 , pp. 91 - 104
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1998

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