Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an energy recovery system for a freeze-drying system. In some embodiments, the freeze-drying system includes a freeze dryer chamber having one or more shelves disposed therein; a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant condenser; a heat exchanger; a first fluid line to thermally couple the refrigerant condenser to the heat exchanger; and a second fluid line to thermally couple the one or more shelves to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system including a fluid manifold and an article; the manifold having a length and a width and a plurality of inlet or outlet ports and the article comprising an element disposed within the manifold adapted for adjustable lengthwise movement within the manifold; and is suitably employed to adjust shelf temperature in for example a freeze-drying apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an energy recovery system for a freeze-drying system. In some embodiments, the freeze-drying system includes a freeze dryer chamber having one or more shelves disposed therein; a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant condenser; a heat exchanger; a first fluid line to thermally couple the refrigerant condenser to the heat exchanger; and a second fluid line to thermally couple the one or more shelves to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an energy recovery system for a freeze-drying system. In some embodiments, the freeze-drying system includes a freeze dryer chamber having one or more shelves disposed therein; a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant condenser; a heat exchanger; a first fluid line to thermally couple the refrigerant condenser to the heat exchanger; and a second fluid line to thermally couple the one or more shelves to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: System and method for lyophilization or freeze-drying is provided. During the freezing step, the material or solution to be frozen is initially brought to a temperature near or below its freezing temperature after which the pressure in the freeze-dryer chamber is reduced to induce nucleation of the material.

Abstract: Methods of inducing nucleation of a material is provided. The disclosed methods comprise the steps of bringing the material to a temperature near or below a phase transition temperature and altering the pressure to induce nucleation of the material. The disclosed methods are useful in freeze-drying processes, particularly pharmaceutical freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: System and method for lyophilization or freeze-drying is provided. During the freezing step, the material or solution to be frozen is initially brought to a temperature near or below its freezing temperature after which the pressure in the freeze-dryer chamber is reduced to induce nucleation of the material.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a vacuum system, comprising: creating a vacuum in a vacuum chamber such that a pressure differential is formed between the vacuum chamber and a liquid sterilant supply, and wherein the liquid sterilant supply has a higher pressure than the vacuum chamber; vaporizing liquid sterilant; and sterilizing the vacuum chamber with the vaporized sterilant.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vacuum system comprises: a vacuum chamber; a vacuum source in operable communication with the vacuum chamber; a liquid sterilant supply; and a metering device, wherein the sterilant supply is in operable communication with the vacuum chamber via the metering device, and wherein the metering device is sized such that liquid sterilant can be introduced into the vacuum chamber as sterilant vapor.

Abstract: A container loader includes a loading ram and a side wall protector device for protecting side walls of a container, such as a trailer or a shipping container. The side wall protector device includes a pair of spaced-apart movable side plates with at least one actuator connected to the side plates. The side plates are selectively extendable into spaces adjacent the container side walls by the actuator and are retractable therefrom, such that the side wall protector device substantially contains a loading pressure within the container and substantially prevents the pressure from exerting force upon the container side walls.

Abstract: A waste loading device for loading waste/recyclables into a container includes a base portion positionable at a loading station, a loading tube extending from the base portion and a pushing member. The loading tube has a discharge end and is configured to be received in a container positioned at the waste/recyclables loading device such that the discharge end is substantially within the container. The discharge end is at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the loading tube. The pushing member is movable along the loading tube to push waste along the loading tube to the discharge end and into the container. The discharge opening at the discharge end opens generally downwardly. The loading tube may extend approximately eight feet or more into the container when the container is positioned at the loading device.

Abstract: A shelf support is disclosed in which the position of a bracket on an elongated support member is infinitely adjustable and in which a pair of support surfaces on the bracket engage a pair of support surfaces on the support member, one of which is defined by an elongated strip of resiliently deformable material. A lock is provided for holding the bracket in a shelf support position and it includes a resilient pin having ends engaging ribs of a channel-shaped support member.