Hanuo FD-1A-50 Benchtop Freeze Dryer

Overview

The Hanuo FD-1A-50 is a compact, benchtop shelf-type freeze dryer engineered for reliable primary drying of thermolabile biological and pharmaceutical samples under controlled low-temperature vacuum conditions. It operates on the principle of sublimation—removing water from frozen material directly from solid to vapor phase without passing through the liquid state—thereby preserving structural integrity, bioactivity, and chemical stability. Designed specifically for laboratory-scale processing, the system integrates a −50 °C condenser, a high-efficiency refrigeration circuit, and a robust vacuum chamber capable of achieving ≤10 Pa ultimate pressure. Its sealed stainless-steel chamber, combined with an integrated refrigeration unit and vacuum interface, ensures consistent thermal management and minimal cross-contamination risk during batch processing.

Key Features

• Benchtop footprint (380 × 600 × 345 mm) optimized for limited lab space without compromising operational capacity.
• Four-tier Φ200 mm stainless-steel sample trays supporting up to 1.2 L total loading volume and 0.12 m² effective drying surface area.
• High-capacity condenser maintained at −50 °C, enabling efficient ice capture of up to 3 kg per 24-hour cycle—suitable for moderate-throughput lyophilization protocols.
• Vacuum system achieves and sustains ≤10 Pa base pressure, meeting minimum requirements for stable primary drying of sensitive biomolecules including monoclonal antibodies, plasmid DNA, and live-attenuated vaccines.
• Integrated 850 W refrigeration and control electronics housed within the main chassis; no external chiller or auxiliary cooling required.
• Standard configuration includes a 2 L domestic oil-sealed rotary vane vacuum pump compatible with continuous operation under laboratory ambient conditions (15–30 °C).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FD-1A-50 accommodates aqueous-based formulations in vials, flasks, or open trays—ideal for R&D-scale lyophilization of proteins, peptides, enzymes, microbial cultures, and diagnostic reagents. Its design aligns with fundamental process requirements outlined in ICH Q5C (stability of biotechnological/biological products) and supports method development toward GMP-compliant manufacturing. While not certified for cGMP production, the unit’s repeatable vacuum profile, temperature uniformity across shelves (< ±2 °C), and absence of moving parts in the drying chamber facilitate documentation of critical process parameters (CPPs) for GLP-aligned studies. All wetted surfaces are electropolished stainless steel (AISI 304), compliant with ISO 13485 material traceability expectations for Class I medical device R&D environments.

Software & Data Management

This model operates via manual analog controls—no embedded digital controller or data logging capability is included in the base configuration. Users monitor vacuum level using an analog Pirani gauge and condenser temperature via a calibrated bimetallic sensor. For regulatory traceability, external USB or RS-232 data loggers may be interfaced with third-party pressure and temperature transducers. When deployed in validated workflows, the FD-1A-50 supports audit-ready recordkeeping when paired with calibrated external instrumentation meeting ISO/IEC 17025 calibration intervals. The absence of firmware eliminates concerns related to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature compliance—making it suitable for early-stage formulation screening where full digital validation is not mandated.

Applications

• Stabilization of heat-labile therapeutics: antibiotics, cytokines, and recombinant growth factors prior to analytical characterization.
• Preparation of reference standards and calibrators for HPLC, ELISA, and mass spectrometry assays.
• Drying of bacterial and fungal cultures for long-term archival storage at −20 °C or ambient desiccated conditions.
• Dehydration of botanical extracts and nutraceutical powders while retaining polyphenol and flavonoid activity.
• Method scouting for lyophilization cycle development—including shelf temperature ramping, hold times, and endpoint determination via pressure rise test (PRT).

FAQ

What is the maximum batch size this unit can handle?
With four Φ200 mm trays and a total volume capacity of 1.2 L, the FD-1A-50 supports typical batch loads of 800–1000 mL of 5–10% w/v solution, depending on container geometry and freezing protocol.
Is the vacuum pump included in the standard configuration?
Yes—a 2 L oil-sealed rotary vane vacuum pump is supplied as part of the standard package, pre-connected and tested for compatibility with the chamber’s sealing and pumping characteristics.
Can this system be used for sterile processing?
No. The FD-1A-50 lacks aseptic design features such as SIP (steam-in-place), HEPA filtration, or isolator integration. It is intended for non-sterile R&D use only.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Routine oil changes in the vacuum pump every 500 operating hours, periodic cleaning of condenser coils, and annual verification of vacuum gauge accuracy against a NIST-traceable reference standard are recommended.
Does the unit meet any international safety or EMC standards?
It complies with GB 4793.1–2007 (Chinese equivalent of IEC 61010-1) for electrical safety and GB/T 18268.1–2010 (EMC for laboratory equipment), with CE marking applied per manufacturer declaration for export markets.