Controlled nucleation during freezing step of freeze drying cycle using pressure differential ice fog distribution
US8839528B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
1References
8Claims
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Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF26B5/06
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of controlling and enhancing the nucleation of product in a freeze dryer, wherein the product is maintained at a predetermined temperature and pressure in a chamber of the freeze dryer, and a predetermined volume of ice fog is created in a condenser chamber separate from the product chamber and connected thereto by a vapor port. The ice fog has a predetermined pressure that is greater than that of the product chamber, and is rapidly conveyed through the vapor port into the product chamber for even distribution therein to create uniform and rapid nucleation of the product in different areas of the product chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.