Freeze-drying methods and systems include performing a constant-pressure drying phase in a chamber, where a temperature of a heating tray increases. A constant-temperature drying phase is performed in the chamber, where a pressure in the chamber decreases. Additional phases alternate between constant-pressure drying phases and constant-temperature drying phases. The alternating drying phases are halted, responsive to a determination that the temperature of the heating tray has reached a maximum temperature.

A process prepares a polymer powder, with a D50 particle size from 40 to 200 μm and a Hausner factor of 1.25 or less, by freeze drying and subsequent loosening up of an aqueous polymer dispersion containing 15 to 50% by weight of a polymer. The polymer is polymerized from 10 to 30% by weight of methyl methacrylate, 50 to 70% by weight of methyl acrylate, and 5 to 15% by weight of methacrylic acid.

A process prepares a polymer powder, with a D50 particle size from 40 to 200 μm and a Hausner factor of 1.25 or less, by freeze drying and subsequent loosening up of an aqueous polymer dispersion containing 15 to 50% by weight of a polymer. The polymer is polymerized from 10 to 30% by weight of methyl methacrylate, 50 to 70% by weight of methyl acrylate, and 5 to 15% by weight of methacrylic acid.

Lyophilization methods for preparing protein formulations for long-term storage at room temperature or improved stability at refrigeration storage are provided. Specifically, the present application provides lyophilization methods to obtain a target percentage of residual moisture of a lyophilized product, such as 3-5% residual moisture. The secondary drying of the lyophilization can be conducted under controlling rate of desorption under a temperature which is similar to the shelf temperature of the primary drying. Alternatively, the lyophilization can be conducted without a distinguished secondary drying step.

The invention relates to a freeze dryer and a method for inducing controlled nucleation in liquid products. The freeze dryer for inducing nucleation in water based products (44) to be freeze-dried comprises a product chamber (12) adapted for housing a vapor gas and the products (44), a condensation chamber (16) connected to the product chamber (12) over an isolation valve (36) in a gas conductive manner, said condensation chamber (16) being provided with a gas pump (18), a gas transfer line (20) connecting the product chamber (12) with at least one cooling device (22) being adapted to generate ice-crystals when said vapor gas is withdrawn from the product chamber through the cooling device (22) in a first gas flow direction (streaked arrow), the freeze dryer being adapted to—after the generation of the ice crystals in the cooling device (22)—convey a flushing gas through the gas transfer line (20) in a second gas flow direction (white arrow) going reverse to said first gas flow direction in order to thereby entrain the ice-crystals from the cooling device (22) into the product chamber (12) to induce nucleation of the products (44) therein. The freeze dryer is particular in that the gas transfer line (20), which comprises the cooling device (22), is separated from the gas pump (18) at least by the condensation chamber (16), the condensation chamber (16) providing a gas passage for the withdrawn vapor gas during the withdrawal in the first gas flow direction, and a gas passage and/or gas storage for the flushing gas during the conveying in the second gas flow direction.

A device for holding and monitoring a predetermined dose of a product during a freezing, drying and/or lyophilization process, includes a mold having a receptacle part for containing the predetermined dose of the product in direct contact with the receptacle part, a sensor, contacting the mold or integrated in the mold, for measuring a physical characteristic and/or quantity, and a transmitter for transmitting the measured characteristic and/or quantity in the form of a sensor signal to a control unit for controlling a heating and/or cooling element, integrated in the device, for heating and/or cooling a predetermined dose of product during a freezing, drying and/or lyophilization process, in the lyophilization process. The device relates in further aspects to a system and a method.

The invention relates to a freeze-drying system for drying products containing liquid and to a method for operating a freeze-drying system, said freeze-drying system having a vacuum chamber, in which at least one holding device for holding the products containing liquid is inserted, a coolable condenser being provided, on which liquid drawn from the product in a drying phase can be condensed from a vapor phase. According to the invention, at least one sound generator is arranged on the holding device, by means of which sound generator sound can be applied to the product during the drying phase.

A material drying system provides for consistent and efficient drying of organic materials, such as cannabis. In certain embodiments, a partial vacuum drying system is used to dry the materials and includes a container, a heating system, a depressurization system, and a control system. Air in the container is heated to within a range of temperatures and a low vacuum is applied to assist with evaporation. In addition, the volume flow rate of air pulled out of the container is monitored and maintained at a predetermined rate, which pulls moisture away from the materials so as to prevent degradation of the materials during the drying process while also reducing drying time. A relatively high air volume flow rate is maintained at low pressure by adjusting the area of an opening in the chamber.

A transport device comprises: a plate 10; an unloading apparatus 30 to push a plurality of articles 20 disposed on the plate 10; a conveyor 40 to transport the articles pushed from the plate 10; and a pusher 80 to push articles 20, from among the articles 20 pushed onto the conveyor 40, that have not tipped over back toward the plate 10, and to separate, on the conveyor 40, articles 20A that have not tipped over from articles 20Z that have tipped over.

Technologies for controlling food dehydration in a low-oxygen environment include a control device and an enclosed drying chamber. The control device receives sensor data from environmental sensors disposed within the drying chamber. A concentration of oxygen within the drying chamber is determined based on the received sensor data. The control device controls a valve to selectively feed an amount of a combustible gas to a burner assembly disposed within the drying chamber. The burner assembly is ignited by the control device and a flame is produced. The flame depletes the concentration of oxygen within the drying chamber to an initial oxygen concentration level. The control device controls another valve to feed an amount of non-reactive gas into the drying chamber to flush the drying chamber and further deplete the concentration of oxygen within the drying chamber to a lower oxygen concentration level. Other embodiments are described and claimed.