JPH0641111Y2 - Lyophilizer condenser - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) This invention relates to a condenser of a freeze-drying apparatus.

(Prior Art) In general, freeze-drying is a well-established drying method whereby, for example, drugs such as vaccines, vitamin drugs, antibiotics and the like are dried and stored. The water-soluble product undergoing drying is initially frozen and then placed under vacuum. Under such a condition, the water content of the product directly changes from ice to steam without passing through an intermediate liquid stage. Since a large amount of this sublimation steam adversely affects the vacuum device, it has a structure in which it is collected by the adsorbent filled in the condenser main body.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) As described above, sublimation steam generated from a frozen sample during freeze-drying is collected by a condenser, but when it reaches a saturated state, it needs to be regenerated so that it can be reused. is there.

As a regenerating means for such a condenser, a means for releasing the upper side of the condenser main body and forcibly regenerating it by a heating element is generally used.

This regenerating means is such that a heater is wound around the outer periphery of the condenser body provided with the adsorbent in a coil shape, and the adsorbent is forcibly dried by heat from the heater. In this case, efficient regeneration is possible by providing the heater not only on the outside but also on the inside. However, if the heater is provided inside the condenser main body, the lead wire of the heater is taken out to the outside, and it is taken out in vacuum. It is not desirable from the standpoint of maintenance as well, since it requires complicated measures such as measures to prevent leakage from the parts.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a condenser of a freeze-drying apparatus, in which a heating element can be easily provided inside and outside, and moreover, in terms of mounting and maintenance, it is very preferable.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the present invention, in a condenser in which an adsorbent is provided in a condenser body having an inlet and an outlet. While the bottom surface of the condenser body is recessed inward at a central portion of the condenser body to form a ring-shaped recess space, and a first heating element wound in a coil shape is provided in the recess space, the condenser body is provided. A second heating element wound in a coil shape is provided on the outer circumference of the.

(Operation) In the condenser of the freeze-drying apparatus, the adsorbent is the first
Since heat is applied from the inside and the outside by the heating element and the second heating element, efficient regeneration is possible.

On the other hand, since the inner first heating element is provided in the recessed space, it is possible to perform work such as mounting inspection from the outside of the condenser main body.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the figure, 1 is a drying chamber in which a frozen sample can be set, 3 is a vacuum pump, and 5 is a condenser disposed between the drying chamber 1 and the vacuum pump 3.

A main body 7 of the condenser 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an upper portion of the condenser main body 7 is sealed by a lid 9. The lid 9 on the upper side of the condenser body 7 is provided with the drying chamber 1 and the switching valve 11
An inlet 13 communicating with the vacuum pump 3 and an inlet 17 communicating with the vacuum pump 3 are provided on the lower bottom surface 15 side.

In the condenser body 7, an adsorbent 19 such as a molecular sieve is double-positioned via a cylindrical partition wall 21, and a spacer 23 provided at the bottom provides a labyrinthine flow as indicated by an arrow. Is secured. A thermo valve 25 is provided above the partition wall 21 and is opened at the time of regeneration, that is, when the heating element described later is activated, and the vapor in the partition wall 21 is switched to the switching valve 11
It is designed to escape to the outside from the discharge port 11a.

Further, a first heating element 29 wound in a coil shape is provided in the central concave space 27 of the condenser main body 7, and a second heating element 31 wound in a coil shape is provided on the outer peripheral surface. Has been. The first and second heating elements 29, 31 are made of a material such as nichrome wire or ceramic, and are connected to a power source via a control unit (not shown). As a result, the first and second heating elements 29, 31
Is controlled to a prescribed heat generation temperature by the control unit.

The recessed space 27 in which the first heating element 29 is provided is integrally formed by recessing the bottom surface 15 of the condenser main body 7 inward to form a ring, and the bottom surface 15 side is open.

In the freeze-drying apparatus configured as described above, the drying chamber 1
The frozen sample set inside is freeze-dried by making the inside of the drying chamber 1 into a vacuum by the vacuum pump 5.
Sublimation steam generated during freeze-drying does not adversely affect the vacuum pump 3 because it is collected by the adsorbent 19 when passing through the condenser body 7.

Next, when the adsorbent 19 in the condenser body 7 exceeds the adsorption capacity and becomes saturated, heat is applied by the first and second heating elements 29, 31. Since the heat at this time comes from the inside and the outside, the steam can escape to the outside in a short time.

Further, the first heating element 29 is assembled to the recess space 27 from the outside, and the maintenance can be easily performed from the outside.

[Advantages of the Invention] As described above, according to the condenser of the freeze-drying apparatus of the present invention, the first heating element provided in the recess space and the second heating element provided on the outer side allow Since heat can be applied from the outside, efficient regeneration can be performed. Moreover, since the first heating element can be easily attached from the outside, it is very preferable in terms of maintenance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a condenser of a freeze-drying apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 7 ... Condenser body 13 ... Inlet 17 ... Outlet 19 ... Adsorbent 27 ... Recessed space 29 ... First heating element 31 ... Second heating element

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A condenser in which an adsorbent is provided in a condenser main body having an inlet and an outlet, wherein a bottom surface of the condenser main body is recessed inward at a central portion of the condenser main body to form a ring-shaped recess space. And a second heating element wound in a coil shape is provided in the recess space while a second heating element wound in a coil shape is provided on the outer periphery of the condenser main body. Equipment condenser.