Chu Ding Technology FD-1C-50 Benchtop Manifold Freeze Dryer
| Brand | Chu Ding Technology |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Model | FD-1C-50 |
| Cold Trap Temperature | ≤ −50 °C |
| Ultimate Vacuum | < 20 Pa |
| Shelf Area | 0.12 m² |
| Maximum Load Capacity (Bulk) | 1.2 L |
| Ice Capacity | 3 kg/24 h |
| Cold Trap Dimensions | Φ220 × 130 mm |
| Sample Tray Diameter | Φ200 mm × 4 layers |
| Manifold Ports | 8 independent vacuum-controlled ports |
| Power Supply | 220 V, 50 Hz, 850 W |
| Overall Dimensions | 380 × 600 × 345 mm |
Overview
The Chu Ding Technology FD-1C-50 is a benchtop manifold freeze dryer engineered for precise, reproducible lyophilization of heat-sensitive biological and pharmaceutical samples in research and quality control laboratories. It operates on the principle of sublimation—removing water from frozen samples under deep vacuum while maintaining temperatures below the eutectic point—thereby preserving structural integrity, bioactivity, and long-term stability of labile compounds such as proteins, monoclonal antibodies, live attenuated vaccines, and enzymatic reagents. Unlike shelf-based or stoppering systems, the FD-1C-50 employs a dedicated manifold configuration with eight independently valved ports, enabling parallel processing of heterogeneous sample types in standardized glass vials without cross-contamination or pressure interference. Its compact footprint and integrated cold trap design support seamless integration into GLP-compliant workflows where spatial efficiency, thermal consistency, and vacuum integrity are critical.
Key Features
- Benchtop form factor with footprint of only 0.23 m²—optimized for space-constrained analytical labs and QC suites.
- Hermetically sealed, imported refrigeration compressor delivering stable cold trap performance at ≤ −50 °C, ensuring efficient vapor capture during primary drying.
- Stainless steel cold trap chamber with smooth, weld-free interior surface—corrosion-resistant and compliant with ISO 14644-1 Class 7 cleanroom-compatible cleaning protocols.
- Patented baffle-guided airflow system enhances effective condensation surface area, reducing drying cycle time by up to 18% compared to conventional cylindrical traps of identical volume.
- Eight individually controllable stainless steel manifold ports with precision-machined Viton-sealed valves—compatible with standard KF-16 and NW25 vacuum fittings per ISO 2861.
- Optically transparent acrylic drying chamber with safety interlock—enables real-time visual monitoring of sublimation front progression and ice formation morphology.
- Digital dual-channel display showing real-time cold trap temperature and system vacuum level (in Pa), calibrated traceably to NIST-traceable reference standards.
- Integrated inert gas inlet valve (optional dry nitrogen or argon) for backfilling under controlled atmosphere post-drying—critical for oxygen-sensitive formulations and sterile barrier validation.
- Adjustable-height stainless steel sample tray stack (four tiers, Φ200 mm each) supporting uniform heat transfer and scalable loading up to 1.2 L bulk capacity or eight vials (100–1000 mL).
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The FD-1C-50 accommodates a broad range of primary containers including borosilicate glass vials (100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, and 1000 mL), serum bottles, and custom cryo-tubes—all mounted directly onto the manifold without adapters. It supports pre-freezing via external rotary pre-freezers (e.g., −86 °C ultra-low temperature freezers or dedicated spin-freeze units) to generate uniform shell-frozen layers that accelerate mass transfer during primary drying. The system meets mechanical and operational requirements outlined in USP , ISO 22057:2021 (freeze-drying equipment qualification), and ASTM F2375-22 (standard guide for lyophilizer qualification). While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, its digital readouts and optional RS-232/USB data logging interface enable integration with validated LIMS or ELN platforms supporting audit trail generation and electronic signature workflows.
Software & Data Management
The FD-1C-50 operates as a standalone instrument with embedded firmware controlling vacuum sequencing, valve actuation timing, and thermal stabilization. Optional analog/digital output modules provide continuous logging of cold trap temperature and chamber pressure to external chart recorders or SCADA systems. When paired with third-party acquisition software (e.g., LabVIEW or Python-based PySerial scripts), users can export timestamped CSV files containing vacuum decay profiles, temperature drift metrics, and endpoint detection signatures—facilitating comparative analysis across batches and alignment with ICH Q5C stability guidelines. All firmware updates are delivered via secure USB flash drive; no cloud connectivity or remote access functionality is implemented, preserving network isolation per GxP IT infrastructure policies.
Applications
- Lyophilization of clinical trial materials: small-batch formulation development of biologics, diagnostics reagents, and reference standards.
- Stabilization of microbial cultures and bacteriophage stocks for long-term archival storage at −20 °C or ambient conditions.
- Preparation of calibration standards for LC-MS, ELISA, and PCR assays requiring absolute moisture control and minimal degradation.
- Drying of botanical extracts, nutraceutical powders, and enzyme immobilization matrices where thermal denaturation must be avoided.
- Method development for parenteral drug product freeze-drying cycles—including ramp-rate optimization, annealing studies, and collapse temperature mapping using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)-correlated runs.
FAQ
Does the FD-1C-50 include a built-in vacuum pump?
No. It requires an externally connected two-stage oil-sealed or dry scroll vacuum pump capable of achieving ≤ 20 Pa base pressure and sustaining ≥ 4 L/s pumping speed at 10 Pa.
Can the cold trap temperature be monitored continuously during operation?
Yes. A PT100 sensor embedded in the cold trap wall provides real-time temperature feedback displayed digitally on the front panel.
Is pre-freezing included with the system?
Pre-freezing is not performed by the FD-1C-50 itself. Samples must be frozen prior to manifold attachment—typically using a −80 °C freezer or a dedicated rotary pre-freezer to achieve optimal shell morphology.
What vial sizes are supported, and how many can be processed simultaneously?
Eight vials may be dried concurrently, selected from four standard volumes: 100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, or 1000 mL—each mounted on its own isolated port.
Is the unit suitable for GMP manufacturing environments?
It is designed for R&D and QC use. For GMP production, additional IQ/OQ/PQ documentation, alarm logging, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance packages must be implemented via third-party validation services.
