OPERATION OF THE FREEZE DRYER
The CONRAD™ (
Continuous
Radiation) freeze drying plant is fully automatic and
controlled centrally.
By means of the conveyor system the trays pass
into the filling station where the frozen product is dosed into the tray. The
trays proceed through the inlet airlock and into the inlet elevator.
When the elevator is filled to its capacity of 15 trays, the whole
stack is pushed into the first temperature zone. Subsequently, the stack of 15
trays is pushed by the following stacks through the various zones, each
adjusted to give the product the optimal heat treatment.
Finally, the
stack arrives at the exit elevator, and the trays are led through the exit
airlock to the emptying station where the now freeze-dried product is removed.
After being washed, the empty trays return automatically to the filling
station to repeat the process.