CONTROLLED NUCLEATION DURING FREEZING STEP OF FREEZE DRYING CYCLE USING PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL WATER VAPOR CO2 ICE CRYSTALS
First Claim
1. A method of controlling and enhancing the nucleation of product in a freeze dryer, comprising:
- maintaining the product at a predetermined temperature and pressure in a chamber of the freeze dryer;
introducing a mixture of water vapor and CO2 gas into a condenser chamber separate from the product chamber to create a predetermined volume of condensed frost, ice and dry ice crystals on an inner surface of the condenser chamber, the condenser chamber being connected to the product chamber by a vapor port and having a predetermined pressure that is greater than that of the product chamber; and
opening the vapor port into the product chamber to create gas turbulence that causes the condensed frost in the form of an ice fog and accompanying ice and dry ice crystals to rapidly enter the product chamber for even distribution therein to create uniform and rapid nucleation of the product in different areas of the product chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling and enhancing the nucleation of product in a freeze dryer wherein a product is maintained at a predetermined temperature and pressure. A mixture of water vapor and CO2 gas is introduced into a condenser chamber separate from the product chamber to create a predetermined volume of condensed frost, ice and dry ice crystals on an inner surface of the condenser chamber. The condenser chamber is connected to the product chamber and has a predetermined pressure that is greater than that of the product chamber. Upon the opening of the condenser chamber into the product chamber, gas turbulence is created that causes the condensed frost in the form of an ice fog and accompanying ice and dry ice crystals to rapidly enter the product chamber for even distribution therein to create uniform and rapid nucleation of the product in different areas of the product chamber.
5 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of controlling and enhancing the nucleation of product in a freeze dryer, comprising:
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maintaining the product at a predetermined temperature and pressure in a chamber of the freeze dryer; introducing a mixture of water vapor and CO2 gas into a condenser chamber separate from the product chamber to create a predetermined volume of condensed frost, ice and dry ice crystals on an inner surface of the condenser chamber, the condenser chamber being connected to the product chamber by a vapor port and having a predetermined pressure that is greater than that of the product chamber; and opening the vapor port into the product chamber to create gas turbulence that causes the condensed frost in the form of an ice fog and accompanying ice and dry ice crystals to rapidly enter the product chamber for even distribution therein to create uniform and rapid nucleation of the product in different areas of the product chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification