How to use freeze dryer correctly?

Correctly using the equipment is essential to achieve its full performance, and the vacuum freeze dryer is no exception. To ensure the smooth progress of experiments or production processes and extend the lifespan of the equipment, it’s crucial to understand the correct usage steps.

 

Before using the equipment, make sure to prepare the following to ensure proper operation and a successful experiment:

 

1. Familiarize Yourself with the User Manual: Before using the equipment for the first time, carefully read the product manual to understand the basic structure, working principles, and safety operation procedures. This will help avoid operational errors and ensure correct usage.

 

2. Check the Power Supply and Environmental Conditions: Ensure that the supply voltage matches the equipment's requirements, and that the ambient temperature is within the acceptable range (usually not exceeding 30°C). Also, ensure the laboratory has good air circulation to prevent humidity from damaging the equipment.

 

3. Clean the Working Area: Clean the interior and exterior of the freeze dryer thoroughly before use, especially the material loading area, to prevent contamination of the materials. A clean working environment ensures the accuracy of experimental results.

 

4. Load the Material: Evenly distribute the material to be dried on the dryer shelves. Be sure not to exceed the specified shelf area, and leave enough space between materials for efficient heat transfer and moisture evaporation.

 

5. Pre-cooling: Start the cold trap and allow its temperature to reach the set value. During the pre-cooling process, monitor the cold trap temperature in real time via the equipment’s display screen.

 

6. Vacuum Pumping: Connect the vacuum pump, activate the vacuum system, and evacuate the air from the freeze-drying chamber to achieve the desired vacuum level. The pumping rate should meet the requirement of reducing the standard atmospheric pressure to 5Pa within 10 minutes.

 

7. Freeze Drying: Under low temperature and low-pressure conditions, the material gradually undergoes the sublimation process. During this phase, parameters can be adjusted as needed to optimize the drying effect.

 

8. Monitoring and Recording: Utilize the equipment's built-in sensors and control system to monitor key parameters such as vacuum level and cold trap temperature. Record the freeze-drying curve for post-experiment data analysis.

 

9. Finish the Operation: Once the material is fully dried, turn off the vacuum pump and refrigeration system. Slowly open the intake valve to restore the pressure in the freeze-drying chamber to normal levels. Remove the dried material and store it properly.

 

Throughout the operation of the vacuum freeze dryer, operators should pay close attention to controlling various parameters to ensure optimal drying results.