Alpha 1-4 LSCbasic
Universal benchtop unit in compact design for efficient lyophilization of samples
Ice condenser capacity
: 4 kg
Ice condenser temperature : -55 °C
Ice condenser temperature : -55 °C
Pilot freeze-dryer
Compact single chamber tabletop unit for routine applications
Product description
The Epsilon 1-4 LSCplus freeze dryer is a very compact, general purpose high-performance laboratory and pilot unit for tabletop installation. The application area of this unit extends from routine drying operations to process optimisation tasks.
This unit is suitable for drying solid or liquid, mainly aqueous products in vials, ampoules, tubes, other glass containers or dishes.
The integrated drying manifold design facilitates the use of round-bottom flasks and wide-neck bottles.
The directly cooled and heated shelves made from Teflon coated solid aluminium enable especially fast cooling and heating processes.
Technical data
| Ice condenser capacity: | 4 kg |
| Ice condenser temperature: | –55 °C |
| chamber volume: | 40 litres |
| Shelf dimensions: | 270 x 400 mm (W x D) |
| Number of shelves: | 1 |
| Shelf area: | 0,108 m² |
| Shelf spacing: | 140 mm with sealing device 172 mm without sealing device |
| GWP Index: | 2 |
| Shelf temperature: | –45 °C to +60 °C |
| Shelf temperature accuracy: | max. ±2 °C |
| Cooling system: | Air cooled (optionally water cooled) |
| Ice condenser cooling system: | 1 compressor, 0,51 kW |
| Shelf cooling system: | (see ice condenser cooling system) |
| Unit dimensions: | 780 x 975 x 530 mm (H x W x D) |
Equipped with natural refrigerants*
As a leading manufacturer of freeze drying systems, we use natural refrigerants to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly freeze drying solutions. Our innovations help reduce environmental impact and build a greener future.
In 2009, we became one of the first manufacturers to convert our laboratory and pilot freeze dryers to nonflammable refrigerants. As a result, our freeze dryers have a particularly low Global Warming Potential (GWP) index.
* 50 Hz version, technichal changes reserved
WTMplus 2.0 – Wireless Temperature Measurement
The WTMplus 2.0 (wireless product temperature measurement system) avoids the disadvantages arising from the use of wired temperature sensors. It is significantly easier to use in practice. There is no need for temperature sensor cables or connectors inside the vacuum chamber. The wireless self-powered sensors are placed manually or automatically when the product vials or dishes are filled and report the corresponding product temperatures to the unit controller during the entire lyophilisation process.
Technical data
| Probe dimensions | Length: 21 mm plus 29 mm flexible antenna Diameter: 2.8 mm |
| Temperature measuring range | –60 °C to +135 °C |
| Measurement accuracy | ±1,0 K |
| Temperature resolution | 0.1 K |
Comparative pressure measurement
In addition to product temperature measurement and pressure rise testing, the simultaneous use of two vacuum sensors with different measuring principles can provide information about the progress of the drying process. The commonly used Pirani gauge indicates higher absolute pressures at the start of the primary drying phase because its operation is dependent on the gas type and large amounts of water vapour are released at the start of the primary drying phase. By contrast, capacitive pressure sensors are independent of the gas type. The approaching end of the primary drying phase, which occurs when there is no longer a significant concentration of water vapour, is indicated by the gradual approach of the two pressure curves to each other during the process.
Glove box connection
High safety requirements are often imposed on unit operation in practice. For example, combinations of freeze dryers and glove boxes are used when freeze drying is necessary to protect products against harmful environmental factors or because the products concerned are highly active and possibly toxic. A special docking frame is used to connect the freeze dryer directly to the glove box. This isolates the entire drying chamber and the working area for product preparation from the technical surroundings.
Implementation using standard docking frames. Special versions are possible on request.
Manual and hydraulic stoppering devices
A manual or automatic stoppering device, depending on the unit type, is used to close drying containers or vials by pressing in stoppers. Electrohydraulic stoppering devices with stainless steel bellow seals are used in particular in pharmaceutical applications.
H2O2 disinfection
Sterilisation with vaporised hydrogen peroxide (VHP; H2O2) is an economical and effective alternative to pure manual disinfection using isopropanol or similar substances and steam sterilisation, which is common practice in production processes.
VHP is especially worthwhile in situations where the capital cost of installing steam sterilisation equipment is too high, but the benefits of using a reproducible process are necessary. With the VHP method, the freeze dryer is connected to a suitable VHP generator in a closed loop, usually by means of hoses and quick-release couplings, so that the VHP generator can also be as needed with other equipment.
Solvent-resistant version
Along with freeze-drying of aqueous media, freeze drying of substances containing aggressive solvents is necessary in some areas such as pharmaceutical research. All of the solvents in this connection have freezing points within the technically manageable range, such as DMSO (eutectic point +15 °C), tertiary butanol (+25.5 °C), dioxane (+12 °C) or acetonitrile (–45 °C). Freeze dryers for this application scenario are designed to be chemical resistant, which means they have modified valves and door seals, special vacuum pumps, and modified cooling systems. The particular advantages of lyophilisation compared to liquid removal by evaporation are the better structure of freeze-dried products (powdery or sponge-like, rather than a viscous mass), lower final solvent content and gentler handling.
Inertisation
Drying and ice condenser chambers are inertised by flushing them with an inert gas, such as nitrogen or argon. The air in the chambers at the start of the process, including the oxygen present in the air, is displaced by the inflowing inert gas. This method is used in particular for the drying of products containing solvents for which an inert atmosphere is required in the process chamber.
Drying manifold
The scope of use of pilot freeze dryers can be extended substantially by using drying manifolds mounted directly on the unit or separately. The drying manifolds are connected to the freeze dryer unit by flanges on the unit provided for this purpose, or by vacuum hoses or vacuum pipes. Containers such as ampoules, vials, bottles, wide-neck flasks, round-bottom flasks, etc. can be fitted on the drying manifolds, depending to their construction. Continuous operation is enabled by three-way rubber valves between the single containers and the drying manifold.
Pilot freeze dryer systems – Best of process optimization
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