AT519793B1 - Freeze drying plant - Google Patents

Abstract

The freeze-drying plant comprises a tempering device, which is designed to temper a support means (100) for containers of the freeze-drying plant. The temperature control device comprises at least one channel which is designed to conduct a flowing temperature control medium. The channel which directs the flowing temperature control medium comprises a first channel section (15a) having a first longitudinal side (25a) which is directly connected to a drain (10b) of the channel. In addition, the channel comprises a second channel section (15b) with a second longitudinal side (25b), wherein the second longitudinal side (25b) is arranged parallel to the first longitudinal side (25a) of the first channel section (15a). The two channel sections (15a, 15b) are in this case arranged relative to one another such that a temperature compensation of the flowing tempering medium takes place between the two channel sections (15a, 15b) via heat transfer. For this purpose, the countercurrent principle is utilized in that in the first passage section (15a) the temperature control medium extends in a first flow direction (40a) which runs opposite to a second flow direction (40b) in the second passage section (15b).

Description

description

TITLE

Freeze Dryer

STATE OF THE ART

The invention relates to a freeze-drying plant with at least one tempering, which is adapted to temper a support means for containers of the freeze-drying plant.

Shelves of a freeze-drying plant are known from the prior art, which serve as a support means to receive the goods to be dried. The product to be dried is here in small containers, so-called vials. In addition, the shelves serve to cool or heat the vials over their surface. For this purpose, the shelves are flowed in the interior with silicone oil, which gives off the heat to the surface of the shelves. The heat transfer to the vials is then essentially by thermal radiation and heat conduction of the surface of the shelves to the vials thereon. The shelves themselves are here rectangular welding and / or soldering constructions, which have channels inside, which are flowed through by the silicone oil. The channel sections extend from the inlet of the silicone oil starting, arranged parallel to each other, along the top and bottom of the support means. Finally, the silicone oil is once again completely deflected and flows in a channel section transverse to the other channel sections to the drain of the channel. The support means themselves are arranged in a product chamber of the freeze-drying plant.

Problem here is, however, that the silicone oil gives off its heat over time and cools or vice versa absorbs heat with time and is heated. Thus, the surfaces of the shelves are heated or cooled unevenly, which may have negative effects on the drying of the drying material located within the vial. This effect occurs especially in the last channel section, which abuts the drain of the channel.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the object, a freeze-drying plant according to the features of claim 1 is proposed according to the invention. In addition, a method is proposed, which is carried out by the freeze-drying plant.

The freeze-drying plant comprises a tempering device, which is designed to temper a support means for containers of the freeze-drying plant. In particular, the support means may be shelves for the containers. The temperature control device comprises at least one channel which is designed to conduct a flowing temperature control medium. The flowing temperature control medium may be silicone oil. The channel which directs the flowing temperature control medium comprises a first channel section having a first longitudinal side, which is directly connected to a drain of the channel. In this case, the drain of the channel designates the section at which the temperature control medium emerges from the support means again. In addition, the channel comprises a second channel section with a second longitudinal side, wherein the second longitudinal side is arranged parallel to the first longitudinal side of the first channel section. In the longitudinal sides, these are the Längsab sections of the channel sections in the flow direction. The two channel sections are in this case arranged relative to one another such that a temperature compensation of the flowing tempering medium takes place between the two channel sections via heat transfer. For this purpose, the countercurrent principle is utilized in that in the first channel section the temperature control medium extends in a first flow direction, which runs opposite to a second flow direction in the second channel section. Thus, in particular in the region of the outflow, a better temperature compensation of the tempering medium and thus also a more uniform heating or cooling of the surface are obtained.

Preferably, the temperature control device is adapted to temper a top of the support means, which is preferably an upper cover plate of the support means. In this case, the channel is designed to guide the temperature control medium along the upper side of the support means. Alternatively or additionally, the tempering device is designed to temper a lower side of the support means, which is preferably a lower cover plate of the support means. The channel is in this case designed to guide the tempering medium along the underside of the support means. By contact of the flowing tempering with the top and / or with the bottom of the support means an optimal heat transfer is thus achieved.

Preferably, the first longitudinal side of the first channel section is longer than the second longitudinal side of the second channel section. Further preferably, the second longitudinal side is at least half as long as the first longitudinal side. Due to the heat transfer between surfaces whose size does not differ too much, one obtains a better temperature compensation.

Preferably, the heat transfer between the first and second channel portion via a common partition wall, which separates the first of the second channel portion. About such partitions, as well as additionally on the top and / or the bottom of the support means, the channel is preferably formed for conducting the tempering. Thus, the channel can be easily with as few components as possible, without additional components, such as. Form pipes.

Preferably, the channel comprises at least one additional third channel section with a third longitudinal side. The third longitudinal side is arranged parallel to the first and second longitudinal sides. By way of a plurality of longitudinal sides of channel sections arranged parallel to one another, a larger area of the receiving means can be uniformly heated or cooled. Preferably, the third channel section is connected directly to an inlet of the channel. In this case, the inlet of the channel designates the section at which the tempering medium enters the support means from the outside. In this case, the first and second channel sections are arranged on a first plane and the third channel section is arranged on a second plane that is different from the first plane. Preferably, the first and second planes are vertically stacked. By heat transfer on the two levels arranged channel sections can be achieved a better temperature compensation of the tempering.

This in turn leads to even more uniform heating or cooling of the support means.

Preferably, the first and second level is connected to each other via a connecting path of the channel. Thus, also arranged on the two levels channel sections can be easily connected to each other.

The third channel section on the second level is preferably separated from the first and second channel sections by means of a heat carrier, which may preferably constitute a further partition wall. Separation by means of a heat carrier results in better heat transfer from the channel sections on the first level to the channel sections on the second level.

The third channel section is preferably arranged parallel below the first channel section. This results in an arrangement in which the first channel section, which is arranged directly at the outlet of the channel, and the first channel section, which is arranged at the inlet of the channel, face one another. Thus, the channel sections, in which the temperature difference of the flowing tempering medium within the channel sections is particularly large, and thus its temperature compensation for a uniform heating or cooling of the support means are particularly important.

Preferably, the channel comprises a plurality of further channel sections on the first and second levels. The first, second, third and the plurality of further channel sections are in this case arranged so that the flow direction of the tempering changes from one channel section to the next channel section by 180 ° and thus always runs opposite. Thus, an optimal temperature compensation is achieved by utilizing the countercurrent principle.

Preferably, the channel comprises a plurality of further channel sections, the longitudinal side is at least partially disposed transversely to the first, second and third longitudinal side, so that the flow direction of the tempering changes within a channel section to the next channel section. Preferably, the channel sections are arranged at right angles to each other, so that the flow direction always changes by 90 °. The channel additionally has a so-called reversal point, wherein the reversal point denotes the section of the channel in which two successive channel sections are arranged relative to one another such that the flow direction changes by 180 ° and thus runs opposite. By this meandering arrangement of channel sections to each other to obtain an optimum temperature compensation of the flowing temperature control and thus a uniform heating or cooling of the support means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a tempering device according to the prior art.

FIG. 2a shows a tempering device from the underside of a support means.

Figure 2b shows the tempering of the top of the support means.

Figure 2c shows a longitudinal section of the support means with tempering.

Figure 2d shows a cross section of the support means with tempering. Figure 2e shows the support means with tempering in the overview.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the channel for conducting a flowing T emperiermediums.

Figure 4 shows an overview of a freeze-drying plant with a product chamber, are arranged in the support means with a temperature control device one above the other.

EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows in plan view a support means 101 for containers of a freeze-drying plant according to the prior art, wherein in this sectional view, the upper cover plate of the support means 101 is missing. In this case, the temperature control medium flows into the inlet in the flow direction 5 a and subsequently flows in the channel laterally formed by webs 29 on a first plane 60 a in order to temper the underside 80 and the upper side of the support means (not shown). The channel runs serpentine here, so that the flow direction 13 within a first straight channel section 11 runs opposite to a flow direction 14 within a following straight channel section 12. The straight channel sections 11 and 12 are arranged in parallel. With the inflow 10b another channel section 16 is directly connected, which extends transversely to the straight channel sections 11 and 12, so that the flow direction 17 of the flowing temperature control here again changes. The flowing temperature control medium exits the support means 101 again on the same first plane 60a via the outlet 10b.

2a shows a tempering of the support means 100 on a first plane 60a. The temperature control device is in this case designed to heat or cool down the top side and the bottom side of the support means as required. On the top of the support means 100, not shown in this illustration, the containers are positioned and who the heated or cooled by the top of the support means 100. In a freeze-drying plant, several support means are often positioned one above the other. The underside of the support means 100, which is not shown in this sectional view, cools or heats over its surface the underlying, positioned on the adjacent support means, containers.

The tempering device comprises a channel, which is formed in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2a laterally by means of webs 70b and 70c as partitions. The channel is designed to conduct a flowing temperature control medium, by means of which the support means is tempered. To promote the tempering, for example, a pump, not shown in this figure 2a may be arranged outside of the support means 100.

The channel is serpentine shaped and includes a first channel portion 15a having a first longitudinal side 25a directly connected to a drain 10b of the channel. The tempering medium exits the support means 100 again via the outlet 10b of the channel. Parallel to the first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal section 25b of a second channel section 15b is arranged and separated therefrom via a common web as partition wall 70b. The two longitudinal sides 25a and 25b of the channel sections 15a and 15b are of equal length. The first flow direction 40a within the first channel portion 15a is opposite to the second flow direction 40b in the second channel portion 15b. Parallel to the channel sections 15a and 15b, a plurality of equally long, further channel sections 15d are arranged, so that the flow direction from one channel section to the next channel section is always opposite. Here, the counterflow principle is exploited and heat transfer temperature equalization between the individual channel sections is achieved.

The first plane 60a is a horizontal plane in this illustrated embodiment. The webs 70a themselves run through a separating plate 30 as a heat transfer medium and serve as a common partition wall for on the first and on a second plane 60b shown in the following Figure 2b extending channel sections. The additional openings within the separating plate as heat carrier 30 necessary for these passages of the webs 70a can be generated, for example, by means of laser cutting.

2b shows the tempering of the support means 100 on a second plane 60b, which is arranged vertically to the first plane 60a and which extends along the lower side of the support means 100, not shown in this figure 2b. Here, a third channel section 15c can be seen, which is connected directly to a drain 10a of the channel, via which the temperature control medium enters the support means 100. The third channel section 15 c is in this case arranged parallel below the first 15 a and second channel section 15 b. The third channel section 15c is also formed laterally by means of the webs 70a and 70c as partitions.

Parallel to the third channel section 15c, a plurality of equally long, further channel sections 15d are also arranged here, so that the flow direction from one channel section to the next channel section is always opposite.

At the end of the channel arrangement on the second level 60b, the flowing temperature control medium is guided by means of an opening 45 as a connecting path within the heat carrier 30 to the channel arrangement shown in Figure 2a on the first level 60a.

FIG. 2c shows a section perpendicular to the channel sections. Here, in contrast to the figures 2a and 2b as the bottom of the support means 100, the lower cover plate 80 and the upper cover sheet 90 shown as the top of the support means 100. Both the upper cover plate 90, as well as the lower cover plate 80 are here rectangular shaped. In addition, in contrast to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, angle plates 35 a and 35 b are shown, which are connected to the lower cover plate 80 of the support means 100 and are designed to carry the separating plate 30 as a heat carrier. The webs 70 a extend from the bottom 80 to the top 90 of the support means 100 through the baffle 30 as a heat carrier therethrough.

The side surfaces of the first channel portion 15a are formed by means of the additional web 70b and the web 70c as partitions. The upper cover plate 90 as the upper side of the support means 100 forms the upper side of the first channel section 15a, and the underside of the first channel section 15a forms the separating plate 30 as a heat carrier.

The side surfaces of the second channel section 15b are formed by means of the web 70a and the additional web 70b. The upper cover plate 90 as the upper side of the support means 100 forms the upper side of the first channel section 15a, and the underside of the first channel section 15a forms the separating plate 30 as a heat carrier.

In this embodiment, the flow direction is always opposite in parallel running channel sections. An exception here are the first and second channel sections 15a and 15b, which are arranged in parallel over the third channel section 15c. As can be seen in this FIG. 2c, the additional web 70b narrows the diameter of the first channel section 15a and of the second channel section 15b relative to the diameter of the third channel section 15c and the further channel sections 15d. Thus, inlet 10a and the drain 10b may be disposed on adjacent opposite sides of the rectangular support means 100 at the transition of an end face 20d to the longitudinal sides 20a and 20d of the support means and the support means may not be made unnecessarily thick. Both in the third channel section 15c, as well as in the first channel section 15a, the direction of the flow thus runs in the same flow direction 40a.

FIG. 2 d shows a longitudinal section through the channel sections in the region of the opening 45 of the separating plate 30. A detailed view of the longitudinal section in the region of the opening 45 can be seen on the lower illustration of FIG. 2 d.

It can be seen here how the flowing temperature control medium reaches the opening 45 in the flow direction 40a and changes over the opening 45 from the first to the second level. The opening 45 thus serves as part of the channel for connecting the first plane to the second plane. When the planes change, the flow direction changes from the flow direction 40a to the flow direction 40b.

Figure 2e shows a clear view of the support means 100, with the tempering device arranged within the support means 100 from the upper cover plate 90 ago. In this case, welds 105 are additionally shown, by means of which the webs 70a, 70b, 70c and 70d are connected to the upper cover plate 90 as the upper side and the lower cover plate, not shown on this illustration, as the underside of the support means 100. In addition, FIG. 2e shows fastening elements 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d, 116e and 116f, which are designed to fasten the support means 100 in the product chamber, not shown in this FIG. 2e, of a freeze-drying installation.

Figure 3 shows, in contrast to the channel profile in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e, an alternative arrangement of the channel for conducting a flowing tempering medium.

In this case, a first longitudinal side 101a of a first channel section 115a is connected directly to the outlet 10b and is arranged parallel to a second longitudinal side 101b of a second channel section 115b. Here, too, a first flow direction 43 in the first channel section 115a runs opposite to a second flow direction 42 in the second channel section 115b. There are further third channel sections 115c with a third longitudinal side 101c, which are arranged parallel to the first and second longitudinal sides.

In contrast to the arrangement of the channel in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e in this case a plurality of further channel sections 115d are provided, the longitudinal side 101d at right angles and thus transversely to the longitudinal sides of the first 115a, second 115b and the third channel sections 115c are arranged. An example of this is the further channel section 115d with its longitudinal side 101d, which is connected directly to the inflow 10a of the channel. As a result of this rectangular arrangement of successive channel sections relative to one another, the direction of flow from one channel section to the next channel section 115c always changes by 90 °. The channel is designed to guide the flowing temperature control medium starting from the inflow of the channel, in ever decreasing radii around the turning point 200, wherein the turning point is in the geometric center of the bottom 80 of the support means 100. At the turning point 200, the channel is designed so that the flow directions 37 and 42 of two consecutive channel sections differ by 180 °. For this purpose, the two successive longitudinal sides of the respective channel sections are parallel to one another, as in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e. In the direction of flow away from the reversal point 200, the channel is again designed to guide the flowing temperature control medium in ever-increasing radii around the turning point 200 up to the drain 10b of the channel.

In contrast to the arrangement of the channel in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e, the channel is arranged here only on one level.

4 shows a schematic overview of a freeze dryer 300 with a product chamber 310, in which support means 100 are suspended one above the other. On the top 90 of the support means 100 containers 320 are positioned, which are heated or cooled by means of heat radiation on the top and also on the underside of the overlying support means.

Claims (13)

claims 1. freeze-drying plant (300), comprising at least - a tempering device, designed for tempering a support means (100) for containers (320) of the freeze-drying plant (300), wherein the tempering device at least one channel, designed for conducting a flowing tempering medium, wherein the Channel at least - a first channel section (15a, 115a) having a first longitudinal side (25a, 101a) directly connected to a drain (10b) of the channel, and - a second channel section (15b, 115b) having a second longitudinal side, ( 25b, 101b), wherein the second longitudinal side (25b, 101b) is arranged parallel to the first longitudinal side, wherein the two channel sections (15a, 15b, 115a, 115b) are arranged relative to one another such that between the two channel sections (15a, 15b , 115a, 115b) takes place via heat transfer, a temperature compensation of the flowing temperature control and a first flow direction (40a) of the Temperierungmediums in the first Channel portion (15a, 115a) opposite to a second flow direction (40b) of the tempering in the second channel portion (15b, 115b) extends. 2. freeze-drying plant (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tempering device is adapted to temper a top (90) and / or a bottom (80) of the support means (100) and the at least one channel is adapted to Temperature control medium along the top (90) and the bottom (80) of the support means (100) to conduct. 3. freeze-drying plant (300) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first longitudinal side (101a, 25a) is longer than the second longitudinal side (101b, 25b), wherein the second longitudinal side (101b, 25b) is at least half as long like the first longitudinal side (101a, 25a). 4. freeze-drying plant (300) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first channel portion (15a, 115a) and the second channel portion (15b, 115b) by means of a common partition wall (170, 70b) are separated from each other. 5. freeze-drying plant (300) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the channel via partitions (170, 70a, 70b) and the top (90) and / or the bottom (80) of the support means (100) is formed , 6. freeze-drying plant (300) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the channel comprises at least one additional third channel section (15c, 115c) having a third longitudinal side (25c, 101c), wherein the third longitudinal side (25c, 101c) is arranged parallel to the first (25a, 101a) and second longitudinal side (25b, 101b). A freeze dryer (300) according to claim 6, characterized in that the third duct section (15c) is directly connected to an inlet (10a) of the duct and is arranged on a first plane (60a), the first duct section (15a) and the second channel section (15b) is arranged on a second plane (60b) that is different from the first plane (60a). 8. freeze-drying plant (300) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first plane (60a) and the second plane (60b) are arranged vertically one above the other. 9. freeze-drying plant (300) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the first plane (60a) and second plane (60b) via a connecting path (45) of the channel are interconnected. 10. freeze-drying plant (300) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the third channel portion (15c) of the first (15a) and second channel portion (15b) by means of a heat carrier (30) is separated. 11. freeze-drying plant (300) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the third channel portion (15c) is arranged parallel below the first channel portion (15a). 12. freeze-drying plant (300) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the channel on the first (60a) and second plane (60b) comprises a plurality of further channel sections (15d), wherein the first (15a), second (15b), third (15c) and the plurality of further channel portions (15d) are arranged so that the flow direction (40a, 40b) of the tempering medium within a channel portion (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) to the following channel portion (15a, 15b , 15c, 15d) in the opposite direction. 13. freeze-drying plant (300) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the channel comprises a plurality of further channel sections (115d), the longitudinal side (101 d) at least partially transverse to the first (101a), second (101b) and third longitudinal side (101c) are arranged so that the flow direction (38, 39, 40a, 40b) of the tempering within a channel portion (115a, 115b, 115c, 115d) to the next channel portion (115a, 115b, 115c, 115d), in particular 90 °, wherein the channel additionally has a turning point (200) at which the flow direction (38, 39, 40a, 40b) within a channel section (115a, 115b, 115c, 115d) to the following channel section (115a, 115b, 115c, 115d) in the opposite direction.