Abstract: A system to monitor and control a lyophilization process using a wireless network is disclosed which includes one or more wireless pressure and gas temperature sensors adapted to provide pressure and gas temperature measurements of the ambient environment, a lyophilization chamber, wherein the one or more wireless pressure sensors are distributed in one or more lyophilization vial trays, a vacuum pump, adapted to change the pressure with the lyophilization chamber, a heat exchanger adapted to modify temperature within the lyophilization chamber, and a controller adapted to collect pressure and gas temperature data from the one or more wireless pressure and gas temperature sensors, calculate sublimation rate of a product to be lyophilized using the collected pressure and gas temperature data, and adjust one or both of pressure and temperature within the lyophilization chamber such that the calculated sublimation rate stays within a predetermined envelope.

Abstract: A non-invasive method to monitor and control of lyophilization of a frozen product solution to remove solvents is disclosed which includes installing one or more wireless pressure sensors configured to fit into a lyophilization vial tray disposed in a lyophilization chamber having a plurality of product vials, wherein the wireless pressure are distributed among the product vials being lyophilized thereby providing spatial pressure variations, collecting the spatial pressure information from said wireless pressure sensors, calculating sublimation rate of the solution, and adjusting pressure and/or temperature within the lyophilization chamber such that the calculated sublimation rate stays within a predetermined envelope.

Abstract: A freeze drying method includes decreasing pressure to a first vacuum pressure and, as a result of reaching the first pressure, a control system automatically activating a heater. The method includes sublimating solid water, increasing pressure to a second vacuum pressure greater than the first pressure, and, as a result of reaching the second pressure, the control system automatically deactivating the heater. As a result, a decrease in pressure, pressure-activated heater activation, material heating, water sublimation, and increase in pressure occur, accomplishing pressure-activated heater cycling. Another freeze drying method includes decreasing a temperature in a chamber to ?50° F. or less using a refrigeration system with single-stage compression and sublimating solid water at a vacuum pressure. A freeze drying apparatus includes a chamber, a vacuum pump, a heater, and a control system programmed with instructions operable to accomplish pressure-activated heater cycling.

Abstract: A method of controlling the primary drying stage in a freeze drying apparatus having a shelf and bulk product or a number of vials in different areas on the shelf which contain product to be freeze dried. Temperature sensors are positioned in selected locations or vials which are representative of the different bulk product areas or the positions of all of the vials in different areas of the shelf. The temperature sensors are monitored and compared to determine the selected location or vial having the highest temperature while the temperature sensor therein is still in ice. The shelf temperature is controlled based on the selected location or vial with the highest temperature so long as the temperature sensor therein is still in ice. When the temperature sensor in the highest temperature selected location or vial is no longer in ice, another selected location or vial with the highest temperature and a temperature sensor therein that is still in ice is then used to control the shelf temperature.

Abstract: In the method for producing a particulate material (58) from an at least partially liquid material (35) containing a solvent and/or dispersant, this material (35) is atomized in a process chamber (21) into droplets which are frozen to particles (131) by contact with a freezing fluid. The particles (131) are then dried by freeze-drying in the or in another process chamber (22) having a filter (18) at the top. For the freeze-drying, cooled process gas is passed upward from below through the process chamber (22) and through the filter (18) in such a way that at least a substantial part of the particles (131) rest against the filter (18) at least for a substantial part of the freeze-drying taking place in the process chamber (22). This makes it possible to dry a batch of particles (131) in a short time.

Abstract: Freeze drying apparatus and associated lyophilization procedures are provided employing vapor flow detection and/or vacuum control for monitoring and control of the lyophilization process. The vapor flow detector, such as a windmill sensor, is disposed to monitor vapor flow from product undergoing lyophilization. In a batch process, vapor flow is collectively monitored with the vapor flow detector between the process chamber and condenser chamber, while in a manifold configuration separate vapor flow detectors are employed at each flask attachment port. A windmill sensor provides visual feedback to an operator and/or electronic feedback to a system controller. A vacuum control system is also provided for use with or independent of vapor flow detection. This vacuum control disconnects the vacuum source from the process chamber when pressure within the process chamber falls below a first predefined set point.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a freeze drying process, a frozen product is arranged on temperature controlled surfaces (12) in an air-evacuated chamber (1) and undergoes a main drying and after-drying phase. During the main drying phase, the temperature of the ice surrounding said product is continuously measured. The pressure in the chamber and/or the temperature of the surfaces are modified during transition from the main drying phase to the after-drying phase. In order to avoid longer idle periods between the chamber (1) and the evacuation device (3, 4, 14) and to determine transition from the main drying phase to the after-drying phase, the pressure and/or the temperature of the surfaces during said transition are modified according to changes int he temperature of the ice.

Abstract: The present invention includes a freeze dryer which has a housing defining a chamber. A condenser is remote from the chamber and has an interior coupled for communication with the chamber. A base supports the chamber and is configured to accommodate the chamber in a plurality of different positions relative to the base. A pump is coupled to the chamber to lower pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A method for processing sewage eliminates chemical "treatment", or, the addition of chemicals that are as harmful or more so to the environment as raw sewage. The method of processing sewage disintegrates the generally solid components of sewage into a highly de-moisturized powder via alternative processes of either (i) a freeze-drying process, or (ii) a combination centrifugal separation and an evacuated "bake-out" process, both which substantially drive out the vaporizable components of the sewage. In consequence, there are no resultant effluent and/or exhausting vapors from this method which would impact the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the regulation of lyophilization in which the evaporative flux--that is to say, the output of evaporated water transferred on the trap (4)--is measured in a continuous manner, and action is carried out at the temperature of the racks (2) in order to reach, as close as possible, a predetermined optimal flux.