LYODRY FREEZE DRYERS

If you are thinking about purchasing a freeze dryer, either for the first time or as an upgrade to your existing freeze dryer, you may find it helpful to consider the following points. Why freeze dry? Freeze Dryers are used for preserving a wide variety of product types, as diverse as pharmaceutical preparations, foods and beverages, soil samples, flowers and archaeological artefacts. The common objective is the long term preservation of a product without affecting its integrity. Freeze drying (also known as lyophilization) is a form of dehydration. By freezing the product and lowering the pressure, the moisture content of the product is removed. The freeze drying process facilitates preservation of the original shape, colour and properties of the product. Step 1: Freeze drying trials Have you carried out freeze drying trials of your product? Trials will help to determine how your specific product reacts to the freeze-drying process. For example, how long it takes to freeze dry a batch, how much ice your product generates and, importantly, how much it costs in terms of capital equipment and running costs. Trials can be accomplished either by using a company that offers contract freeze-drying, or by hiring equipment and carrying out your own trials. MechaTech Systems offer benchtop freeze dryers for monthly rental. Budget What can you afford? Freeze Dryers are expensive – fact! Prices vary according to equipment quality and manufacturer, but a good quality, 5Kg (ice condenser capacity). -55°C benchtop freeze dryer in the UK, including chamber and vacuum pump is likely to have a starting price over £10,000. For pilot and production scale freeze dryers, prices vary from tens to hundreds of thousand pounds, usually determined by the condenser and chamber size, and temperature and control requirements. Temperature What Condenser Temperature do you need? A freeze dryer typically has a condenser temperature of -50°C as a starting point. This is suitable for many product types, but not all. It depends upon the freezing (eutectic) point of your product. For example, if your product has a freezing point of -20°C, then a -50°C condenser temperature is fine, but if your product has a freezing point of -70°C, then you would need a condenser temperature of -85°C. MechaTech Systems offer freeze dryers with condenser temperatures of either -55 °C or -85°C. What Chamber Temperature do you need? Many small lab freeze dryers, such as Benchtop Freeze Dryers and the larger Midi Freeze Dryers , are modular: this means that you can choose the drying chamber – often an acrylic chamber, perhaps with a tray accessory – or a manifold or chamber with ports for flask drying. In this instance, pre-freezing in the chamber is not an option, so your product must be pre-frozen either in an external freezer, or snap frozen in liquid nitrogen. Heating your product, if appropriate, may speed up the freeze-drying process. For this purpose, the LSAD6H Heated Chamber from MechaTech Systems has a temperature controller and heater mats. Larger, pilot and production scale freeze dryers, such as the LyoDry Maxi , LyoDry Heritage or the LyoDry Grande include integral, temperature-controlled chambers or shelves. You can both pre-freeze and heat the product. MechaTech’s chamber freeze dryers are typically available with chamber temperatures ranging from -60°C or -40°C,  to +60°C. Capacity What Condenser Capacity do you need? A given condenser capacity refers to the ice capacity of the freeze dryer condenser per batch, before defrost is required. This is determined by how much moisture is in your original product, which converts to ice during the freeze drying process. This is particularly important if you have a very wet product, which is likely to generate more ice. For example, the LyoDry Compact benchtop freeze dryer has an ice condenser capacity of 5Kg, before defrost is required. The LHS60 LyoDry Heritage has an ice condenser capacity of 60Kg before defrost is required. If you don’t know how much ice your product will generate, trials will help you to determine this. What Chamber capacity do you need? i.e. How much space do you need for the product you wish to freeze dry per batch. Smaller, R&D freeze dryers, such as the LyoDry Compact , are often modular, so you can choose which chamber/drying accessory you need. This might be an Acrylic Chamber, for bulk samples, often with a tray accessory, for freeze drying multiple samples. Or a manifold accessory, for attaching flasks. Or a combination of both so that you have different options available, for example the LSDCV 8-port lidded acrylic chamber. See Freeze Dryer Accessories for LyoDry Freeze Dryer accessory options. Pilot scale and production freeze dryers usually have an integral chamber, with a set number of shelves offering a total chamber capacity. For example, the pilot-scale LyoDry Maxi Freeze Dryer is available with either 3, 4 or 5 shelves, each measuring 360mm W x 480mm D, up to a total of 0.86m2 drying space. Whereas the LSH60 LyoDry Heritage has a chamber housing 5 trays, providing a total of 5.2m² drying space. Solvents What solvents are involved in the process? Usually, the only solvent present in the freeze-drying process is water. In which case, any  chamber is suitable. However, some organic solvents can cause an acrylic chamber to corrode, especially if a high concentration of corrosive solvent is present,. In this instance, a stainless steel chamber is a better option. You may also need to protect the vacuum pump with a chemical trap and sorbent. Control What level of control automation do you need? Entry level, laboratory freeze dryers will usually have a basic digital controller and display, showing temperature, vacuum level and readiness. The operator needs to follow certain steps, such as pressing the ‘Pump On’ button to switch on the vacuum pump, when the freeze dryer display indicates that it has reached the correct pre-cooled temperature. For more closely controlled laboratory freeze drying on a small scale, the LyoDry Benchtop Pro and LyoDry Midi Pro offer touch screen control, data logging, trends, pressure control, USB and ethernet comms. Pilot and production freeze dryers, such as the LyoDry Heritage , Maxi and Grande , have more comprehensive controllers, usually a touch screen PLC, with pre-programmable, freeze drying ‘recipes’ and endpoint determination. These provide product protection and require only minimal operator intervention. They often include process and product temperatures variables, and real-time systems status and fault indicators. They also have comprehensive alarm management systems, and the option of remote view via an external computer. If you’re freeze drying in vials, some pilot and production freeze dryers, such as the LyoDry Maxi and Grande , also offer automatic stoppering of vials. Space and Logistics Last, but not least, where will your freeze dryer be installed? A benchtop freeze dryer can sit on a lab bench, or a purpose-built trolley on castors so that it can be moved around the lab. MechaTech Systems also manufacture the LyoDry Midi modular freeze dryer, which offers a larger condenser capacity (18Kg) than the benchtop freeze dryer (5Kg), but is specially designed be positioned next to a typical laboratory bench. The LyoDry Maxi has a built-in chamber on top, so needs height, but is specially designed to fit through a standard laboratory doorway.  The LyoDry Production Freeze Dryer , however, is a through-the-wall design – so only the chamber doorway and operator control are accessible in the clean room, whilst the mechanical parts such as the vacuum pump and condenser are in a separate room. To summarise: Have you carried out trials? What can you afford? What condenser temperature and chamber temperature do you need? What condenser capacity and chamber capacity do you need? What solvents are you using and what is their level of concentration? What level of control do you need? How much space do you have? MechaTech Systems manufacture LyoDry Freeze Dryers , from our Bristol, UK facility. We provide advice, quotations and also practical help in the form of rental benchtop freeze dryers for carrying out trials of your product. For further information, please contact us:  enquiries@mechatechsystems.co.uk / +44 (0) 1454 414723 or visit https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/freeze-dryers .

MechaTech Systems supply KF (NW) and ISO Vacuum Fittings, often available from stock and competitively priced. As high vacuum systems and freeze dryer manufacturers , we use and supply only best quality vacuum components , whether it's ISO-KF (also known as NW) O rings, T-pieces, blanking flanges, clamps, adaptors, reducers etc. Download our catalogue with dimensional drawings and part numbers. Need a quotation or can't see the parts that you need? Please Contact Us - we have a knowledgeable and friendly sales team who will be happy to help with your enquiry.

LyoDry Benchtop Freeze Dryers are designed, manufactured and supported from our site near Bristol, UK. Used and endorsed by universities, government research institutes, blue chip pharmaceutical manufacturers, chefs and restaurants - in the UK and overseas - LyoDry Benchtop Freeze Dryers have options to suit both your budget and technical requirements. LyoDry Benchtop Freeze Dryers were originally designed to directly replace the (now obsolete) Modulyo range of freeze dryers, which were manufactured by Edwards and subsequently Thermo Savant. Consequently, LyoDry Benchtop Freeze Dryers are compatible with most drying chambers and accessories previously used with the Modulyo. So, if you only wish to upgrade either your Modulyo condenser, or your Modulyo drying chamber / accessory, then you can do so with either a LyoDry Freeze Dryer Condenser, or a LyoDry Drying Chamber / Accessory. All LyoDry Benchtop Freeze Dryers have the benefit of a fully stainless steel cabinet, making them ideal for freeze drying in lab, pharma and food environments. They also have hot gas defrost for a faster turnaround between batches. We can also supply the recommended vacuum pump, or advise whether your existing vacuum pump is suitable. An optional, purpose built, stainless steel trolley is available if required, fitted with castors and brakes and a lower shelf to accommodate the vacuum pump. There are two models of LyoDry Benchtop Freeze Dryers available: - The LyoDry Compact (pictured below) is our entry level benchtop freeze dryer. It has an ice condenser temperature of -55°C (part number LSBC55) or -85°C (part number LSBC85), with a condenser capacity of 5Kg per batch. LyoDry Compact is a modular freeze dryer, therefore you can choose from a range of drying chambers, tray accessories and manifold options to suit bulk or flask drying. A clear, LCD display facilitates on-screen control of the vacuum pump and user changeable vacuum and temperature units. The LyoDry Benchtop Pro (pictured below) is designed for more closely controlled freeze drying, with the added features of data logging, real time and historical temperature and pressure trends, ethernet comms, pressure control and a wide, touchscreen, colour operator interface with icons for easy navigation. If the LyoDry Benchtop Pro is used with our Heated Tray Accessory (part number LSAD6H) , then multiple profile creation ('freeze drying recipes') is an added benefit. LyoDry Benchtop Pro is also available with a condenser temperature of -55°C (part number LSB55P) or -85°C (part number LSB85P), and an ice condenser capacity of 5Kg. Ancillary services include the options of delivery to your site by courier, or delivery by one of our engineers with on-site set up and basic operator training. We offer on-demand servicing or prescheduled annual service contracts with preferential rates. Service contracts can be tailored to suit, and can include other freeze drying/vacuum equipment that you may have on-site, if required. Spare parts and accessories are readily available, often from stock. LyoDry Freeze Dryers conform to the latest environmental standards, manufactured by F-Gas certified engineers using CFC free refrigeration gas. LyoDry Freeze Dryers are designed to have fast cool down times, helping to minimise energy consumption and maximise life expectancy. They are high end, competitively priced and quality assured. We receive excellent feedback . Read more about LyoDry Compact Benchtop Freeze Dryers Read more about LyoDry Benchtop Pro Freeze Dryers Read more about LyoDry Chambers and Accessories Contact us for a quotation or more information

UK manufactured LyoDry Freeze Dryers range from benchtop to pilot and production scale. The LyoDry Pilot Scale range includes three models: LSM LyoDry Maxi Freeze Dryers LSG LyoDry Grande Freeze Dryers LSH LyoDry Heritage Freeze Dryers . All are all fully automated with touch screen control and controllable temperatures, ideal for pilot scale or lower volume production freeze drying. All LyoDry Pilot Scale Freeze Dryers include visible ice condensers, with automatic hot gas defrost for faster processing between batches; and front loading chambers for easy loading and unloading of product. Freezing, primary and secondary drying are all controlled by a central processor unit, allowing complex pressure/temperature profiles to be controlled accurately and reproducibly without operator intervention. So, what is the difference between them and how do you decide which freeze dryer is best for your freeze drying requirements? Firstly, what is your application , i.e. what product types are you freeze drying? The Maxi and Grande are ideally suited to pharmaceutical applications, for several reasons: Temperature is controlled directly on the shelf Temperatures are controllable between either -40 to +60°C; or -60 to +60°C There is an option for stoppering if you’re drying in vials, pressure control for optimising heat transfer and nitrogen backfill for stoppering in an inert atmosphere The chamber is rectangular with rounded corners and no crevices, for easy cleaning End point determination is automatic Whereas the Heritage is more suited to freeze drying food, flowers and archaeological artefacts, because: The chamber is temperature controlled (not the shelves) Temperatures are controllable between -40 ­to + 50°C The chamber is circular with a clear acrylic door for easy sample viewing throughout the process The chamber has five, large removable trays for large batch processing and the option for a larger condenser size at a lower cost Secondly, what are your capacity requirements? LSM LyoDry Maxi has the option of 3, 4 or 5 shelves, each measuring 360mm W x 480mm, with a total shelf space of up to 0.86m² (for the 5-shelf version) LSG LyoDry Grande has 9 shelves, each measuring 375 mm W x 500 mm, with a total shelf space of 1.69m² LSH LyoDry Heritage has 5 trays, with two different tray size options, giving a total tray space of either 2.6m² or 5.2m² Thirdly , what are your budgetary requirements? LyoDry Pilot Scale freeze dryer pricing starts from around £80,000. If this is beyond budget, then LyoDry Lab Scale Freeze Dryers provide plenty of options for less automated, lower cost equipment. For example, the LyoDry Midi freeze dryer , complete with the LSCC10 shelf chamber doesn’t have the bells and whistles, but is a significantly less expensive option. And some of the bells and whistles are available if you opt for the LyoDry Midi Pro freeze dryer , which has data logging, pressure control etc. Need more information? Please Contact Us . More Information: LyoDry Freeze Dryers complete range: https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/freeze-dryers LyoDry Maxi Freeze Dryer: https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/lyodry-maxi-freeze-dryer LyoDry Grande Freeze Dryer: https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/lyodry-grande-freeze-dryer-lsg60 LyoDry Midi Freeze Dryer: https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/lyodry-midi-freeze-dryer LyoDry Midi Pro Freeze Dryer: https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/lyodry-midi-pro-freeze-dryer

"What happens when you freeze dry food? *candy, donuts & more*". See what happened when YouTube star, Grackle, recently experimented with freeze drying some very different foods using our LyoDry Benchtop Pro Freeze Dryer..! Find out more about the LyoDry Benchtop Pro: https://www.lyodry-freeze-dryers.com/benchtop-pro Find out more about LyoDry Freeze Dryers: https://www.lyodry-freeze-dryers.com/freeze-dryers-uk

MechaTech Systems Ltd take the Coronavirus pandemic seriously and we continue to monitor the situation closely, whilst remaining open for business as usual. For the welfare of our employees, customers and suppliers and their families, we immediately implemented a programme of safety measures in line with government guidelines . We remain committed to our customers and open for business as usual, manufacturing LyoDry Freeze Dryers and High Vacuum Systems , supplying spare parts and carrying out equipment service and repairs, both on-site and in-house. For any further information, please don't hesitate to Contact Us . Stay safe.

One of the chamber options for the LyoDry Midi (and Pro version ) freeze dryer condenser is the LSCC10 10-tray chamber for bulk freeze drying, which provides 1.5m ² total drying area . Recent enhancements include optional manifold ports with up to eight vacuum isolation valves for flask drying. LSCC10 chamber is designed for use with LyoDry Midi (or LyoDry Midi Pro ) freeze dryer condenser, and in this configuration it offers a low cost option for increased freeze drying capacity usually associated with pilot scale freeze dryers. LSCC10 bulk freeze drying chamber has 10 stainless steel trays, each measuring 450 mm x 345 mm x 30 mm, thereby providing a total drying area of 1.5m ² across 10 trays. A single viewport enables product viewing throughout the freeze drying process. LyoDry Midi with LSCC10 chamber does not have a pre-freeze function, so samples must be pre-frozen, but it does provide a budget-friendly / larger capacity freeze drying solution. The chamber is also available with optional heating (part number LSCC10H). LyoDry Midi Pro has additional features: data logging, real time and historical temperature and pressure trends, pressure control, ethernet and USB comms - all accessed via a colour touchscreen control with intuitive icons for easy navigation. Use the LyoDry Midi Pro with the LSCC10H heated chamber, and multiple profile creations (freeze drying 'recipes') are enabled. Add in the optional manifold ports for flask drying, and you have a future proofed freeze dryer with the ability to handle a variety of freeze drying applications. LyoDry Midi and LyoDry Midi Pro have condenser temperature options of either -55 °C or -85 °C, and an ice capacity of 18 Kg per batch, with hot gas defrost enabling faster batch processing. LyoDry Midi or LyoDry Midi Pro, combined with LSCC10 chamber, with optional heating and optional manifold ports for flask drying, offer affordable, quality assured, pilot-scale freeze drying. UK designed, manufactured and supported. Read more about LyoDry Midi> Read more about LyoDry Midi Pro> Download LSCC10 chamber specification (pdf) > See the full range of LyoDry Freeze Dryers > For more information or a quotation, please Contact Us >

One of the chamber options for the LyoDry Midi (and Pro version) freeze dryer condenser is the LSCC10 10-tray chamber for bulk freeze drying, which provides 1.5m² total drying area. Recent enhancements include optional manifold ports with up to eight vacuum isolation valves for flask drying. LSCC10 chamber is designed for use with LyoDry Midi (or LyoDry Midi Pro) freeze dryer condenser, and in this configuration it offers a low cost option for increased freeze drying capacity usually associated with pilot scale freeze dryers. LSCC10 bulk freeze drying chamber has 10 stainless steel trays, each measuring 450 mm x 345 mm x 30 mm, thereby providing a total drying area of 1.5m² across 10 trays. A single viewport enables product viewing throughout the freeze drying process. LyoDry Midi with LSCC10 chamber does not have a pre-freeze function, so samples must be pre-frozen, but it does provide a budget-friendly / larger capacity freeze drying solution. The chamber is also available with optional heating (part number LSCC10H). LyoDry Midi Pro has additional features: data logging, real time and historical temperature and pressure trends, pressure control, ethernet and USB comms - all accessed via a colour touchscreen control with intuitive icons for easy navigation. Use the LyoDry Midi Pro with the LSCC10H heated chamber, and multiple profile creations (freeze drying 'recipes') are enabled. Add in the optional manifold ports for flask drying, and you have a future proofed freeze dryer with the ability to handle a variety of freeze drying applications. LyoDry Midi and LyoDry Midi Pro have condenser temperature options of either -55°C or -85°C, and an ice capacity of 18 Kg per batch, with hot gas defrost enabling faster batch processing. LyoDry Midi or LyoDry Midi Pro, combined with LSCC10 chamber, with optional heating and optional manifold ports for flask drying, offer affordable, quality assured, pilot-scale freeze drying. UK designed, manufactured and supported. Read more about LyoDry Midi> Read more about LyoDry Midi Pro> Download LSCC10 chamber specification (pdf) > See the full range of LyoDry Freeze Dryers > For more information or a quotation, please Contact Us >

You might own (or rent ) a benchtop freeze dryer already, that you've used for research and development. Now, you need more capacity and want to scale up your benchtop freeze dryer to a pilot scale freeze dryer. So what are the options? There are a number of factors that you're likely to be considering: physical space is one important factor; available budget is often the most significant. Below are some pilot scale options from the LyoDry range of Freeze Dryers , arranged in order of price, with the lowest cost options first: LyoDry Midi freeze dryer has an 18Kg ice condenser capacity, with condenser temperature options of either -55 ° C or -85°C. It can be used with a range of chambers and accessories. If you are seeking to increase the capacity of your drying area then the LSCC10 chamber, ( available with optional heating, if required) has ten removable freeze drying trays, each tray measuring 450mm x 345mm. It has a single viewport for product viewing and, combined with the LyoDry Midi, it offers an excellent solution to entry level, lower cost pilot scale freeze drying. LyoDry Midi Pro freeze dryer has the added advantage of data logging, trends, pressure control, ethernet comms and a colour touch screen control. With this option you are gaining not only additional capacity, but also some of the features and benefits you would have with a traditional pilot scale freeze dryer, but at significantly lower cost. The combination of LyoDry Midi Pro with LSCC10H heated 10-tray chamber enables pre-programmable freeze drying 'recipes'. LyoDry Heritage freeze dryer is ideally suited to pilot scale freeze drying of food and beverages, flowers and archaeological artefacts. It has a front loading chamber which is temperature controlled -40°C to +50°C; ice condenser capacities of either 30Kg or 60Kg; and drying areas of either 2.8 m² or 5.2 m². Touch screen control, data logging, trends and optional remote view are ideal for instant and historical analysis of your freeze drying operation. LyoDry Maxi freeze dryer is a fully automated pilot scale freeze dryer which is more suited to pharmaceutical applications, with options of 3, 4 or 5 shelves with shelf temperature control options of either -40 to +60 °C , or -60 to +60 °C. End point determination and optional stoppering, touch screen control with reproducible process profiles, data and event logging, analysis, and a full audit trail are just some of the features available. LyoDry Grande freeze dryer is also ideally suited to pilot scale (or small scale production) pharmaceutical freeze drying. With even greater capacity provided by nine temperature controlled shelves, and an ice condenser capacity of 30Kg, a full system mimic on the touch screen display provides a user friendly interface, giving a clear indication of system status. Process variables and product temperatures, systems status and fault indicators can be viewed in real time or logged continuously to memory. LyoDry Freeze Dryers are UK designed, manufactured and supported by MechaTech Systems, based in Bristol, UK. Click on the links above for more information, or to view all LyoDry Freeze Dryers, please visit https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/freeze-dryers Need a quotation or further information? Please contact us: https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/contact

Seeking lab equipment on a tight budget? We currently have refurbished vacuum pumps, freeze dryers and laboratory ovens available, fully reconditioned and tested with a six month warranty. Find out more at https://www.mechatechsystems.co.uk/used or Contact Us for further details.

LyoDry Benchtop freeze dryers are UK designed, manufactured and supported, and quality assured, by MechaTech Systems Ltd . We manufacture different models to suit a variety of application requirements and budgets. Which model is best for you? There are two benchtop freeze dryer models in the LyoDry range : the LyoDry Compact and the LyoDry Benchtop Pro . Both models: are high end, economical, all-purpose freeze dryers, suitable for a wide range of freeze drying applications including pharmaceutical, food, university r&d, amongst others come with a fully stainless steel, polished cabinet as standard, ideal for environments such as pharmaceutical and university laboratories and chef's kitchens have an ice condenser capacity of 5Kg per batch before defrost is required have condenser temperature options of either -55 °C or -85 °C. Your choice will depend upon the eutectic (freezing) point of your product have hot gas defrost and a front drain valve as standard - for added speed and convenience between batches are available with a wide choice of drying chambers , manifolds and accessories to suit almost every sample type are available with our recommended vacuum pump, if required. If you already have a vacuum pump, we will be pleased to advise whether it's compatible were originally designed as a direct replacement for the (now obsolete) Edwards Modulyo freeze dryer - accessories are interchangeable So which model is best for you? If you're seeking an entry level freeze dryer which is economical yet high quality, without the bells and whistles, then the LyoDry Compact has some excellent standard features including: a clear, bright LCD display so that system status is obvious at a glance operator changeable temperature units in Celsius or Fahrenheit operator changeable vacuum units in millibar, Torr or pascal on-screen operator prompted vacuum pump control Or, if you need a freeze dryer with increased functionality, then the LyoDry Benchtop Pro offers additional features including: a wide screen, colour, touch screen operator interface with intuitive navigation real time and historical trending of temperature and pressure values data logging, pressure control, alarms history and password protected user accounts Ethernet comms and USB Multiple profile creation (freeze drying 'recipes') if used together with our heated drying accessory (part number LSAD6H) LyoDry Freeze Dryers are used and endorsed by universities, government research departments, pharmaceutical manufacturers, food and beverage manufacturers, chefs and archaeological conservators, both in the UK and overseas. We receive excellent feedback . More information required, or a quotation? Please contact us: enquiries@mechatechsystems.co.uk / +44 (0) 1454 414723

Despite everything that's going on around us, it's business as usual at MechaTech Systems, and we certainly are busy! We're getting on with manufacturing LyoDry Freeze Dryers and High Vacuum Systems , supplying vacuum pump spares and freeze dryer accessories , and servicing your equipment. We are working to government guidelines ( you can read our Coronavirus statement here ) and those that can work from home are doing so; those that can't are keeping the recommended distance of 2 metres away from each other and hand washing regularly. We're very lucky to have plenty of space in our units, and nobody needs to use public transport to get to work. Meetings are being held via Zoom and we are following all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well being of our employees and their families. So it's 'Busyness' as usual! If there's anything we can help with, please Contact Us . In the meantime, stay safe and stay happy :)