Industrial Products
FD1000: Freeze Dryer
The Cuddon Freeze Dryer and lyophilization equipment was designed after consideration of the factors necessary for pharmaceutical and health food freeze-drying techniques.
Description:
- Chamber: Chamber construction in much of our lyophilization equipment can be offered in stainless steel or mild steel. The standard mild steel model interior is shot blasted and primed, then coated with four coats of epoxy chemical resistant paint. This specification is similar for the chamber doors that are double hinged for correct alignment. Two viewing ports each 200mm in diameter are provided in the doors, one each, for observation of the ice vapour condenser, and the other at shelf level. Cuddon lyophilization equipment is approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The chamber is fitted with stainless steel pneumatically operated valves that isolate the vacuum line connection, drain, water defrost and vacuum release. The exterior can be painted in your choice of colour.
- Modular Shelf Heating Plates: The plates are fabricated from type 304 stainless steel, with flat upper sides and embossed lower sides to provide a heating fluid passage. The plates are assembled in modular form to create a shelving system. Each modular is fitted with wheels that run in a stainless steel track located directly above the vapour condenser. Two sets of type 316 stainless steel product trays are provided. These trays feature rounded corners for easy cleaning.
- Shelf Removal: The heating system in our lyophilization equipment is connected to each shelf module by two type 316 stainless steel flexible hoses and quick release couplings. Each shelf module is removable from the drying chamber by rolling onto a trolley.
- Trolleys: Two trolleys are provided that have self centring and locking pins so that they may be positioned in front of the chamber. Each module trolley has a continuation of the chamber rail and allows the complete assembly to be rolled out onto this trolley for maintenance or cleaning.
- Heating System: A thyristor controlled electric boiler that is connected in series with the plates provides heating in our lyophilization equipment. A centrifugal pump circulates the heat medium. The temperature of the plates is electronically controlled as required by the drying pattern selected at the control panel. A refrigerated heat exchanger is provided in the circuit for reducing the temperature of the plates when necessary. Safety devices are provided in the event of the circulating pump failing. A balance tank is fitted to a high point of the system to contain the thermal expansion when heating the fluid from low temperature.
- Motor Control System: The plant is provided with a motor control panel housing a mains isolator, circuit breakers, motor starters, overload protection, thermistor modules, relays, and hours run meter. This board is pre-wired at our factory. A separate operators control panel houses a vacuum gauge, chart recorder, programmable temperature controller and function switches that interface to a PLC, this runs the auxiliary equipment and monitors drying conditions. Audible alarm functions alert the operator to irregular occurrences.
