BUCHI Lyovapor L-200 Benchtop Freeze Dryer

Overview

The BUCHI Lyovapor L-200 is a compact, benchtop freeze dryer engineered for reproducible lyophilization of heat-sensitive samples in research laboratories, quality control environments, and small-scale pharmaceutical development. It operates on the fundamental principle of sublimation—removing water from frozen samples under vacuum while maintaining low thermal stress—thereby preserving structural integrity, biological activity, and chemical stability. With a condenser temperature of –55 °C and a maximum ice capacity of 6 kg per cycle, the L-200 supports medium-throughput drying of aqueous solutions, suspensions, and sterile preparations without requiring external chillers or complex infrastructure. Its integrated vacuum system, combined with precise shelf temperature control (–50 °C to +70 °C via optional heated shelf), enables full process autonomy across primary and secondary drying phases.

Key Features

• Compact footprint (W × D × H: 620 × 610 × 490 mm) optimized for space-constrained lab benches and cleanroom installations.
• Infinite-Control™ touchscreen interface with intuitive workflow navigation—supporting method creation, real-time parameter monitoring, and on-the-fly process interruption or resumption.
• Integrated vacuum pump with oil-free diaphragm technology and automatic pressure regulation (1–1000 µmHg range), minimizing maintenance and cross-contamination risk.
• Condenser cooled by a high-efficiency refrigeration circuit achieving stable –55 °C operation; equipped with automatic defrost and ice level monitoring.
• Shelf temperature control via Peltier-based cooling/heating (standard cooling only; heating module available as optional upgrade) for precise thermal management during drying cycles.
• Robust stainless-steel chamber and condenser housing compliant with ISO 14644-1 Class 5 cleanroom compatibility requirements when operated in controlled environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Lyovapor L-200 accommodates standard Ø100–250 mm glass flasks (up to 4 L total volume), manifold configurations with up to 12 ports, and custom trays for vial-based drying. It supports aqueous buffers, protein formulations, microbial cultures, enzyme solutions, and diagnostic reagents. All wetted parts are constructed from borosilicate glass (DIN ISO 3585) and electropolished 316L stainless steel, ensuring chemical resistance and ease of cleaning validation. The system meets essential safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards including IEC 61010-1, CE marking, and RoHS compliance. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11–compliant out-of-the-box, audit trails, user access levels, and electronic signature capabilities can be implemented via BUCHI’s optional LabX® software integration for GLP/GMP-aligned workflows.

Software & Data Management

Infinite-Control™ firmware provides local data logging of shelf temperature, condenser temperature, chamber pressure, and elapsed time—with timestamps stored internally for ≥100 complete drying cycles. Export is supported via USB flash drive in CSV format for offline analysis in Excel or statistical packages. For regulated environments, the L-200 is compatible with BUCHI LabX® software (sold separately), which adds centralized instrument control, multi-user authentication, customizable reporting templates, and full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance—including electronic signatures, change tracking, and secure audit trails. All methods and historical runs are archived with metadata (operator ID, timestamp, version number) to support traceability in ISO/IEC 17025 or FDA-regulated settings.

Applications

• Stabilization of monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and recombinant proteins prior to long-term storage or transport.
• Drying of cell lysates and tissue homogenates for downstream mass spectrometry or enzymatic assays.
• Preparation of calibration standards and reference materials with minimized degradation and batch-to-batch variability.
• Routine dehydration of botanical extracts, probiotic cultures, and nutraceutical formulations in natural product labs.
• Method development and scale-down studies supporting lyophilization process transfer to production-scale freeze dryers (e.g., in accordance with ICH Q5C).

FAQ

Does the Lyovapor L-200 include a vacuum pump?
Yes—the system integrates a maintenance-free, oil-free diaphragm vacuum pump with automatic pressure control.
Can shelf heating be added after purchase?
Yes, the heated shelf option (–50 °C to +70 °C) is available as a field-installable upgrade kit.
What is the maximum sample volume per cycle?
Up to 4 liters total volume using standard flasks or manifolds; ice load capacity is limited to 6 kg per condenser cycle.
Is remote monitoring supported?
Local Ethernet connectivity is available; remote access requires LabX® software deployment on a networked PC or server.
How often does the condenser require manual defrosting?
Automatic defrost is triggered when ice load exceeds 90% capacity or at cycle end—no routine manual intervention is required.