Abstract: The disclosure in some aspects relates to systems and related methods for the continuous freeze-drying of materials (e.g., pharmaceuticals) with high speed and control.

Abstract: The disclosure in some aspects relates to systems and related methods for the continuous freeze-drying of materials (e.g., pharmaceuticals) with high speed and control.

Abstract: The disclosure in some aspects relates to systems and related methods for the continuous freeze-drying of materials (e.g., pharmaceuticals) with high speed and control.

Abstract: A method to monitor a secondary drying phase of a freeze-drying process comprises initial steps in which is provided to perform pressure rise tests at different time and to calculate a respective value of experimental desorption rate of product (steps 1 to 3). Subsequently, the method provides to estimate initial conditions and kinetic constants of a kinetic model of the process (step 4) and to calculate at time t=t2 a respective residual moisture content and a respective desorption rate (step 5). The method can be performed in a freeze-dryer apparatus which includes a drying chamber that contains a product to be dried and can be isolated to perform pressure rise tests.

Abstract: An assemblable metal pallet having two plinths each provided with a cut-out and with a loading platform and a plurality of components obtained from a single piece of a basic metal profile having a symmetrical shape about the longitudinal central plane and provided with a longitudinal rib of rectangular cross-section and constant height extending from one and the same part with respect to a base plane, and with two outer lateral webs having their edge bent inwards and at least partly coplanar with the top of the rib, the components including a first component composed of a piece of basic profile bent to a C-shape with the aperture facing upwards, a second component composed of a piece of the same basic profile bent to an inverted U-shape, a further component formed from a piece of the same basic profile and constituting a crosspiece for connecting together the plinths.

Abstract: An assemblable metal pallet having two plinths each provided with a cut-out and with a loading platform and a plurality of components obtained from a single piece of a basic metal profile having a symmetrical shape about the longitudinal central plane and provided with a longitudinal rib of rectangular cross-section and constant height extending from one and the same part with respect to a base plane, and with two outer lateral webs having their edge bent inwards and at least partly coplanar with the top of the rib, the components including a first component composed of a piece of basic profile bent to a C-shape with the aperture facing upwards, a second component composed of a piece of the same basic profile bent to an inverted U-shape, a further component formed from a piece of the same basic profile and constituting a crosspiece for connecting together the plinths.

Abstract: A freeze-drying process includes a primary drying phase. Within this phase, a test is performed for causing a variation of partial pressure of solvent inside a drying chamber. At the beginning of the test, a product sublimation flux, a total pressure and a partial pressure of the solvent in the drying chamber are measured. A product temperature is estimated at the interface of sublimation at the beginning of the test. The solvent vapor pressure at the interface of sublimation is calculated as is a resistance of a dried layer of the product to the vapor flow of the solvent. Next, a thickness of a frozen layer of the product is calculated and a coefficient of heat transfer between heating surface and product is also calculated. An initial temperature profile of the frozen product is then calculated as is a total pressure in the drying chamber. A value of the product temperature at the interface of sublimation at the beginning of test is determined and a time constant of the freeze-drying process is calculated.

Abstract: A freeze-drying process includes a primary drying phase. Within this phase, a test is performed for causing a variation of partial pressure of solvent inside a drying chamber. At the beginning of the test, a product sublimation flux, a total pressure and a partial pressure of the solvent in the drying chamber are measured. A product temperature is estimated at the interface of sublimation at the beginning of the test. The solvent vapor pressure at the interface of sublimation is calculated as is a resistance of a dried layer of the product to the vapor flow of the solvent. Next, a thickness of a frozen layer of the product is calculated and a coefficient of heat transfer between heating surface and product is also calculated. An initial temperature profile of the frozen product is then calculated as is a total pressure in the drying chamber. A value of the product temperature at the interface of sublimation at the beginning of test is determined and a time constant of the freeze-drying process is calculated.

Abstract: A pallet for storing and transporting goods by a load platform supported by a plurality of parallel supports and formed of sheet metal, as are these latter, characterised in that:-the supports (4) are tubular-the supports and at least those platform portions which connect the supports together are formed from a single metal sheet,-the lower surface of the platform comprises a ribbed panel (6)-cut-out holes (24) are provided in the side walls of the tubular supports for the passage of a fork of a lifting means, each cut-out hole being bounded at least upperly by a strip of the support side wall,-the lower surface of the platform (2) is provided with reinforcement elements positioned between said supports and said platform at said cut-out holes.

Abstract: A method to monitor a secondary drying phase of a freeze-drying process comprises initial steps in which is provided to perform pressure rise tests at different time and to calculate a respective value of experimental desorption rate of product (steps 1 to 3). Subsequently, the method provides to estimate initial conditions and kinetic constants of a kinetic model of the process (step 4) and to calculate at time t=t2 a respective residual moisture content and a respective desorption rate (step 5). The method can be performed in a freeze-dryer apparatus which includes a drying chamber that contains a product to be dried and can be isolated to perform pressure rise tests.

Abstract: A pallet for storing and transporting goods by a load platform (2) supported by parallel supports (4), characterised in that:—the load platform (2) comprises a plurality of continuous parallel grooves (6),—the supports (4) are tubular and comprise parallel continuous grooves (16, 18) in their side walls (6) and base (14), in the upper edge of the side walls (16) they comprising recesses (20) complementary to the grooves (6) of the platform (2), the axis of said supports (4) being perpendicular to the grooves (6) of the load platform (2),—the supports (4) are provided with a plurality of internal baffles (26, 32),—cut-out holes (22) are provided in the side walls (12) of the tubular supports (4) for the passage of a fork of a lifting means, each cut-out hole being bounded lowerly and upperly by strips of the support side wall (12),—the lower surface of the platform (2) is provided with reinforcement elements positioned between said supports (4) and said platform (2) at said cut-out holes (22).