Tianfeng TF-FZG-20 Industrial-Scale Freeze Dryer for Food Processing (e.g., Daylily, Strawberries, Pet Feed)
| Brand | Tianfeng |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Product Category | Domestic |
| Model | TF-FZG-20 |
| Instrument Type | Standard Shelf-Type Freeze Dryer |
| Application Scope | Production-Scale |
| Lyophilization Area | 20 m² |
| Ultimate Vacuum | ≤ 2.7 Pa |
| Condensate Capacity (24 h) | 400 kg |
| Cold Trap Temperature | ≤ −45 °C |
| Overall Dimensions (L×W×H) | 7600 × 2100 × 3600 mm |
| Control System | Microprocessor-Based with Omron PLC & TFD-5000 Software |
| Shelf Configuration | 10 + 1 Temperature-Compensated Shelves (2000 × 1000 × 20 mm, 70 mm Spacing) |
| Shelf Temp Range | −50 °C to +80 °C |
| Condenser Limit Temp | −65 °C to −70 °C |
| Chamber Material | SUS 304 Stainless Steel |
| Total Power Consumption | 88 kW (380 V, 50 Hz, 3-Phase, 5-Wire) |
| Cooling Water Requirement | 25 m³/hr (1.5–2 bar, ≤25 °C) |
| Defrost Water | ≥2 T/batch (≥2 bar, 80 °C) |
| Compressed Air | 60 L/min (4–8 bar) |
Overview
The Tianfeng TF-FZG-20 is an industrial-scale, shelf-type freeze dryer engineered for continuous, high-throughput lyophilization of heat-sensitive food matrices—including daylilies (Hemerocallis citrina), strawberries, pet feed formulations, herbal extracts, and functional nutrition products. It operates on the fundamental principle of sublimation: frozen water in the product is removed directly from solid to vapor phase under deep vacuum (≤2.7 Pa), bypassing the liquid state to preserve structural integrity, volatile compounds, enzymatic activity, and nutritional profile. Designed for GMP-aligned production environments, the unit integrates a robust stainless-steel (SUS 304) cylindrical drying chamber and condenser, dual-stage refrigeration circuitry, and precision temperature/vacuum control architecture—enabling reproducible cycle development and batch-to-batch consistency across 20 m² of active shelf area.
Key Features
- Production-capable lyophilization platform with 20 m² total shelf area and nominal processing capacity of ~200 kg per batch (dry basis).
- High-efficiency cold trap capable of condensing up to 400 kg of water vapor within 24 hours, operating at ≤−45 °C (with ultimate capability down to −70 °C).
- 11-shelf configuration (10 process shelves + 1 dedicated temperature-compensation shelf) ensures uniform thermal distribution and minimizes axial temperature gradients during primary and secondary drying.
- Microprocessor-based control system (TFD-5000 software suite) with Omron programmable logic controller (PLC) and industrial-grade touchscreen HMI for full-cycle programming, real-time monitoring, and alarm logging.
- Full compliance with mechanical and thermal design standards for food-grade equipment: SUS 304 construction throughout product-contact zones; smooth-welded interior surfaces meeting FDA-recommended surface roughness (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm).
- Integrated cooling water interface (25 m³/hr @ 1.5–2 bar, ≤25 °C) and compressed air supply (60 L/min @ 4–8 bar) support stable operation of pneumatic valves and refrigeration modulation.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The TF-FZG-20 accommodates diverse biological and food-derived samples requiring low-thermal-stress dehydration: whole or sliced fruits (e.g., strawberries), blanched vegetables, edible flowers (e.g., daylily buds), powdered nutraceuticals, extruded pet feed pellets, and botanical concentrates. Its chamber geometry and shelf layout support standard ISO 9001-compliant tray loading (e.g., 600 × 400 mm aluminum trays). The system meets foundational requirements for food equipment hygiene per EC 1935/2004 and aligns with hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) infrastructure. While not certified to ISO 22000 out-of-the-box, its data integrity architecture—including audit-trail-enabled software, user-access levels, and electronic signature support—facilitates qualification for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when deployed in regulated food manufacturing settings.
Software & Data Management
The TFD-5000 control software provides full lifecycle management of lyophilization cycles: recipe creation, parameter ramping (shelf temp, chamber pressure, condenser temp), real-time graphing of key variables (sublimation rate, product resistance, residual moisture estimation), and automated event-triggered actions (e.g., pressure rise test, end-point detection). All operational data—including timestamps, setpoints, actual values, alarms, and operator logins—are stored locally on the embedded industrial PC and exportable in CSV or PDF format. Firmware updates are delivered free of charge via secure USB transfer; no cloud dependency or third-party subscription is required. Data retention supports GLP/GMP traceability requirements, with configurable backup intervals and encrypted archive options.
Applications
- Preservation of delicate phytochemicals in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and edible flowers without Maillard degradation.
- Stabilization of probiotic cultures and enzyme-rich pet feed additives while maintaining viability >90% post-reconstitution.
- Production of instant fruit powders (e.g., strawberry) with <5% residual moisture, rehydration ratio ≥95%, and color retention (ΔE < 3 vs. fresh).
- Scalable R&D-to-production bridging: identical process parameters validated on laboratory-scale units (e.g., TF-FD-1A) can be linearly scaled to the TF-FZG-20 using shelf-area-normalized heat/mass transfer models.
- Contract manufacturing support for nutraceutical brands requiring batch documentation compliant with ISO 22000, BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9, or China’s GB 14881–2013.
FAQ
Is the TF-FZG-20 suitable for pharmaceutical-grade lyophilization?
It is designed for food, feed, and botanical applications—not sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing. It lacks ISO Class 5 cleanroom integration, steam-in-place (SIP) sterilization, or vial-handling automation required for parenteral product processing.
Can shelf temperature uniformity be validated per ASTM F2373?
Yes. The 11-shelf configuration includes calibrated PT100 sensors per shelf; users may perform mapping studies using qualified thermocouples per ICH Q5C guidance.
What is the typical cycle time for strawberry slices?
Under optimized conditions (−35 °C shelf freeze, 0.15 mbar chamber pressure, 25 °C shelf ramp), primary drying completes in ~18–22 hours; total cycle duration averages 36–40 hours including annealing and secondary drying.
Does the system support remote monitoring?
Local Ethernet connectivity enables networked access to the HMI and data export functions; however, no built-in cellular or cloud telemetry module is included.
Is validation documentation provided?
Factory acceptance test (FAT) reports, IQ/OQ templates, and calibration certificates for critical sensors (vacuum gauge, RTDs) are supplied upon request as part of commissioning support.
