Important Questions to Consider When Buying a Used Freeze Dryer

Laboratory freeze drying is commonly used to stabilize, store, or increase the shelf life of sensitive biological materials. They play an integral role in pharmaceutical research and development.

Freeze drying uses a process called lyophilization, which lowers the temperature of the produce below freezing and also extracts the water in the form of vapor. These vapors go through a condenser, where they are turned back to ice and removed. When purchasing a freeze dryer, there are a few important things to take into consideration.

What amount of moisture do you want to remove?

It’s important to note that certain models of freeze dryers are only capable of processing a certain amount of liquid. Also, certain drying chamber accessories only work with certain units, so knowing beforehand what volume of moisture you’d like to remove is the first step in determining the model of freeze dryer that’s right for your establishment.

What type of samples are you processing?

Proper freeze drying requires a very specific temperature differential. Proper freeze drying requires a temperature differential of 15 to 20 degrees between the samples’ freezing point and collector chamber. If the collector is not colder than the freezing point, matter may bypass the collector and damage the pump.

What kind of pump is required for your sample?

It’s important to note that certain types of samples require different pumps. For example, standard aqueous based examples require a rotary vane pump, while acids and solvents require hybrid pumps.

 

No matter your needs, we can help you find the right freeze dryer and support equipment.  We here at the Lab World Group have access to a wide selection of lyophilizing instruments, tell us to your needs and we’ll guide you to the rest. Let us do the sourcing so you can concentrate on your science.