Industrial Products
FD1500: Freeze Dryer
The Cuddon Freeze Dryer and lyophilization machines were designed after consideration of the factors necessary for pharmaceutical and health food freeze-drying techniques.
Description:
- Chamber: Chamber construction of our lyophilization machines can be offered in stainless steel or mild steel. The standard mild steel model interior is shot blasted and primed, then coated with four coasts of epoxy chemical resistant paint. This specification is similar for the chamber doors that are double hinged for correct alignment. Our lyophilization machines offer two viewing ports each 200mm in diameter mounted in the doors, one each, for observation of the ice vapour condenser, and the other at shelf level. Cuddon lyophilization machines are MAF approved. The chamber is fitted with stainless steel pneumatically operated vacuum release. The exterior will 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 shelves of our lyophilization machines are assembled in banks for ease of manufacture and to reduce weight when handling. Each bank is fitted with wheels that run in a stainless steel track located directly above the vapour condenser. Two sets of type 304 stainless steel product trays are provided. These trays feature rounded corners for easy cleaning.
- Shelf Removal: The heating system is connected to each shelf module by flexible hoses and quick release couplings. Each shelf module is removable from the drying chamber by rolling onto a trolley.
- Trolleys: To assist in removing the modules an optional trolley is available. This has self-centring locking pins so that it can be positioned in front of the chamber. The module trolley has a continuation of the chamber rail and allows the complete assemble to be rolled out onto this trolley for maintenance or cleaning.
- Vapour Condenser: The ice condenser in our lyophilization machines is manufactured from type 304 stainless steel tube in parallel circuits to form a direst expansion refrigerated coil. The assembly is fitted beneath the heating shelves and forms a permanent fixture. Defrosting the accumulated ice from the coil is by water. Hot water is recommended if a quick defrost time is desired. Heat recovery from the refrigeration system can be selected as an optional extra that will provide hot water for this purpose.
- Refrigeration: The refrigeration condensing unit in our lyophilization machines is purpose built with capacity control. To allow economical use of the low temperature 404a refrigerant. The complete package included an oil separator, water cooled condenser, suction accumulator, suction filters, and all the necessary safety devices for proper operation. Compressors are selected for capacity at -40 deg Celsius evaporating temperature at the ice coil.
- Vacuum System: The rotary piston vacuum pump is connected to the chamber by heavy-duty PVC lines and pneumatic isolating valve. The exhaust of the pump is vented to the exterior of the building. The pump is equipped with a gas ballast facility.
- Heating System: Heating for our lyophilization machines is provided by thyristor controlled electric boiler that is connected in series with the plates. The heat medium is circulated by a centrifugal pump. The temperature of the plates is electronically controlled as required by the drying pattern selected at the control panel. A cooling heat exchanger is provided in the circuit for reducing the temperature of the plates when necessary either by water, or refrigerant if the shelf freezing option is desired. Safety devices are provide in the event of the circulation pump failing or if the fluid in the plated reaches critical low temperatures. 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 plant 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.
