When to Power Down Your Bioreactor System
Overview
Knowing when to power down versus leave your bioreactor system running can extend equipment lifetime and prevent issues when returning from idle periods. This article covers the recommended shutdown procedure and chiller-specific guidelines for extended idle periods.
Powering Off the System
Follow these steps in order to safely power down the bioreactor system:
Power off the bays using the red on/off switch on the power strip inside each bay cart.
Power off the UPS (if present in the utility cart) by pressing and holding the power button until you hear a long audible beep, then release.
Power off the chiller — see Chiller Shutdown Guidelines below to determine the appropriate level of shutdown for your idle period.
Disconnect from wall power (optional) — recommended if long-term storage or relocation is planned.
Additional steps for long-term storage:
If gas lines will be disconnected, plug the gas inlets on the utility cart to protect from dust ingress.
Cover the tops of the bay carts to protect the optical readers and gas outlets from dust.
If storage will be in a space without reliable environmental temperature and humidity control, chiller lines should be cleared before storage.
Contact the Culture Biosciences team in advance for long-term storage or warehousing recommendations.
To restore power, follow the steps above in reverse order.
Chiller Shutdown Guidelines
Use the following thresholds to decide how to handle chiller idle time:
Less than ~2 weeks idle
Leave the chiller running. Brief idle periods don't warrant a full shutdown, and the wear from repeated power cycling outweighs any benefit.
~2 weeks to 3 months idle
Power the chiller down. This is the sweet spot where shutdown helps extend chiller lifetime without requiring extensive preparation.
More than 3 months idle
A more thorough shutdown procedure is required. At a minimum, drain the chiller fluid before storage to protect seal integrity. The chiller must also be flushed with clean fluid before being returned to service.
Store the chiller within the manufacturer's specified temperature and humidity range.
Refer to the Shipment/Storage section of your chiller's user manual for the full procedure before shutting down for an extended period.
Note: These thresholds are general guidelines. When in doubt, follow your chiller's user manual — it contains specific instructions for your model.