Freeze Dryer
Drying Equipment
1. Product Overview
A freeze dryer (vacuum freeze dryer / lyophilizer) first freezes the material below its eutectic point, then applies heat under vacuum so that the ice sublimates directly into water vapor. The unit consists of a drying chamber, vacuum system, refrigeration system, heating system and control system. It is widely used for heat-sensitive materials (vaccines, sera), biological products, premium foods and nanomaterials. Key features: maximum preservation of material activity and structure, thorough dehydration and good rehydratability, at relatively high energy consumption.
2. Working Principle
The material is loaded into the drying chamber and rapidly frozen by the refrigeration system; the vacuum system then evacuates the chamber to a high vacuum; the heating system supplies heat so that the ice crystals sublimate directly into water vapor, which is captured by the cold trap (condenser); the vapor re-condenses as ice on the cold-trap surface and is removed by the defrost system, completing the drying process.
3. System Classification
By construction:
Bell-jar freeze dryer: separate drying chamber and cold trap, simple design, common in laboratories — for small batches and R&D
Shelf-type freeze dryer: shelves with built-in heating/cooling channels for precise temperature control — for pilot and production units with tight temperature-uniformity requirements
Continuous freeze dryer: material is continuously fed, pre-frozen, dried and discharged on a conveyor belt — for large-scale production
4. Detailed Technical Parameters
4.1 Common Materials
| Material | Typical Components | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 304 Stainless Steel | Drying chamber, shelves, cold trap | Corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, GMP compliant |
| 316L Stainless Steel | Parts contacting materials | Higher corrosion resistance, preferred for pharmaceuticals |
| Carbon Steel (Stainless lined) | Outer shell, frame | Cost reduction, internal cleanliness assured |
4.2 Typical Specifications
| Effective Shelf Area (m²) | Cold Trap Temp. (℃) | Ultimate Vacuum (Pa) | Shelf Temp. Range (℃) | Installed Power (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1～1 | ≤-60 | ≤1 | -50～+80 | 3～15 |
| 1～10 | ≤-70 | ≤0.1 | -50～+80 | 15～75 |
| 10～30 | ≤-75 | ≤0.01 | -50～+80 | 75～250 |
4.3 Design Conditions & Performance
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cold Trap Temperature | ≤-60℃ (standard), ≤-80℃ (special) |
| Vacuum Level | ≤10Pa (drying phase), ≤1Pa (ultimate) |
| Shelf Temperature Difference | ≤±1℃ (steady state) |
| Sublimation Rate | 0.5～2kg/h·m² (depending on material) |
5. Electrical Parameters
| Region | Voltage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| China/Russia/Central Asia | 380V | 50Hz |
| Middle East/Southeast Asia/Africa | 400V / 415V | 50Hz |
| South Korea | 380V | 60Hz |
| Americas (if required) | 440V / 480V | 60Hz |
| Note: Voltage and frequency must be specified for the compressors, vacuum pumps and circulation pumps. |
6. Core Component Selection
| Component | Brand/Material | Features & Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration Compressor | Bitzer/Copeland/Bock | Semi-hermetic or fully hermetic, cascade refrigeration |
| Vacuum Pump | Pfeiffer/Leybold/Alcatel | Rotary-vane, Roots or diffusion pump combinations for high pumping speed |
| Cold Trap | 304/316L SS | Coil or shell-and-tube type, high water-vapor capture capacity |
| Control System | Siemens/Mitsubishi/Inovance | PLC + touch screen with automatic freeze-drying cycle control |
7. Typical Application Fields
Biopharmaceuticals: vaccines, antibodies, blood products
Food: instant coffee, fruits and vegetables
New materials: nano-powders, porous materials
Research institutes: strain preservation and sample preparation
8. Design Standards & Certifications
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| GB/T 36397-2018 | Vacuum freeze dryers |
| ISO 9001:2015 | Quality Management System |
| GMP | Good Manufacturing Practice for Pharmaceuticals |
| CE / EAC / GOST-R | Available upon request for international orders |
9. Custom Optional Configurations
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Chamber Material | 304/316L/Teflon-lined |
| Cold Trap Type | Integrated/separate/dual cold trap alternating |
| Control System | Manual/semi-automatic/fully automatic (including CIP/SIP) |
| Vacuum System | Rotary vane + Roots pump/diffusion pump/dry screw pump |
10. Warranty Terms
| Equipment Status | Warranty Period | Warranty Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Brand New | 12 months | Refrigeration system, vacuum system, heating system, chamber seal |
| Refurbished | 6 months | Refrigeration system, vacuum system, heating system, chamber seal |
| Idle | 3 months | Main functional components |
11. Packaging & Delivery
| Item | Packaging Method |
|---|---|
| Drying Chamber / Cold Trap | Tarpaulin wrapped, wooden skid |
| Compressors / Pumps | Fully enclosed wooden cases |
| Electrical Cabinet / Controls | Waterproof sealed packaging in wooden cases |
| Shipped by container. On-site installation and commissioning guidance available. |
12. Information Required for Inquiry
12. Information Required for Quotation Please provide: material name and characteristics (heat sensitivity, solids content, eutectic point); processing capacity (kg/batch); expected freeze-drying cycle (temperature and vacuum requirements); whether CIP/SIP functions are required; preferred equipment condition (new, refurbished or idle); delivery terms (FOB/CIF/DDP); and destination port.