Labconco FreeZone Plus 4.5 Liter and FreeZone -105 C Cascade Freeze Dry Systems 73870 Series User Manual
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Congratulations on your purchase of a Labconco FreeZone® Freeze Dry System,
which is designed for laboratory lyophilization procedures. The refrigerant used in
the refrigeration system is CFC-free so it will not endanger the environment. The
unit is easy to install and maintain. Proper care and maintenance of this product
will result in many years of dependable service.
Freeze Dry Process
Freeze drying is an important process in sample preparation and for the
preservation and storage of biologicals, pharmaceuticals and foods. Of the various
methods of dehydration, freeze drying (lyophilization) is especially suited for
substances that are heat sensitive. Other than food processing (e.g., coffee, whole
dinners), freeze drying has been extensively used in the development of
pharmaceuticals (e.g., antibiotics) and preservation of biologicals (e.g., proteins,
plasma, viruses and cell lines). The nondestructive nature of this process has been
demonstrated by the retention of viability in freeze dried viruses and
microorganisms.
Freeze drying is a process whereby water or other solvent is removed from frozen
material by converting the frozen water directly into vapor without the
intermediate formation of liquid water. The basis for this sublimation process
involves the absorption of heat by the frozen sample in order to vaporize the ice;
the use of a vacuum pump to enhance the removal of water vapor from the surface
of the sample; the transfer of water vapor to a collector; and the removal of heat by
the collector in order to condense the water vapor. In essence, the freeze dry
process is a balance between the heat absorbed by the sample to vaporize the ice
and the heat removed from the collector to convert the water vapor into ice.