TITLE: BAF_S04_LABCONCO freeze dryer 
AUTHORS: Nicholas Sherman

[DESCRIPTION]
General operation of the Lyophilizer unit.

[BEFORE_START]
THIS CHECKLIST SHOULD BE FOLLOWED PRIOR TO EACH USE:
1. remove the accessory drying chamber or manifold from the collector chamber lid and using a soft, lint free paper towel, wipe the port gasket(s) and sealing surfaces of the drying chamber/manifold and collector chamber lid to remove any dirt or contaminants that could cause a vacuum leak. 
2. Ensure that the collector chamber and drain line are free of water. Place the drain hose in a suitable container to collect the condensate from the collector chamber. Insert the quick connect drain fitting into the quick connect drain coupling located on the left hand side of the Freeze Dryer. Note: Freeze Dryer (Collector or Vacuum) will not start if moisture is detected in the drain line. 
3. after completely draining the system, disconnect the quick connect drain fitting from the quick connect drain coupling.
4. wipe the interior of the collector chamber with a paper towel to remove any remaining moisture. 
5. reinstall the drying chamber or manifold on the collector chamber lid.
6. check that each sample valve is closed or in the VENT position. 
7. start COLLECTOR and allow the refrigeration system to reach its specified operating temperature.
- if using auto start up: go to home screen and press AUTO --> START. collector starts immediately, vacuum starts once collector reaches -40°C 
- if using manual star up: go to home screen, press COLLECTOR --> START. when collector reaches -40°C, manually press VACUUM --> START
9. attach a pre-frozen sample to sample valve on drying chamber or manifold.

[GUIDELINES]
All samples must be frozen PRIOR to putting in the freeze dryer for the sample to dry correctly

[STEPS]
SECTION: Add samples
7. MAKE SURE ALL SAMPLES ARE PRE-FROZEN 
SECTION: Add samples
8. Connect a pre-frozen sample to a sample valve on the drying chamber or manifold using an adapter. Turn the plastic valve knob to the “VACUUM” position to open the valve, which connects the attached sample to system vacuum. The bevel on the knob should be positioned toward the sample port to apply vacuum to the sample. 

SECTION: Add samples
9. Before adding another sample, allow system vacuum to return to 0.133 mbar or
lower. Any combination of valves and sample sizes may be utilized at one
time provided that the system vacuum and collector temperature remain
sufficiently low to prevent melting of the frozen sample.

SECTION: Add samples
10. When all the frost has disappeared from the outer surface of the sample
container and no cold spots can be detected by handling the container, the
sample is nearly dry. To be certain of low final moisture content, dry the
sample for several hours past this point.
SECTION: Add samples
11. To remove a container after drying is complete, turn the plastic knob on the
valve to the “VENT” position, which closes the valve and vents the container.
Should back-filling with an inert gas be required, connect the gas supply line to
the vent port on the valve before turning the plastic knob on the valve to vent
position. The sample container may now be removed. In the vent position the
bevel on the valve knob should point away from the sample port 
SECTION: Add samples
12. Ampules may be flame sealed while connected to a valve by using a sealing
torch. Care must be taken not to burn the valve. An insulation material placed
between the valve and the torch is recommended. 

SECTION: Shut down
13. At the end of a run or when a sufficient amount of condensate accumulates on the
collector coil to obstruct the flow of vapor to the collector chamber, the Freeze
Dryer should be defrosted. 
Go to Home screen, press VACUUM, then STOP to
turn the vacuum pump OFF. Then release system vacuum by turning the plastic
knob on a valve (that has no sample attached) to the open position or opening the
vent valve on Tray Dryer or Clear Chamber. Press COLLECTOR, then STOP to
turn the refrigeration system OFF. 
SECTION: Defrost the collector coil
14. The hot gas defrost function can be used to speed up the defrosting process.
Defrost can be activated as follows: Go to Home screen, press COLLECTOR
button, press Defrost Options, then press START.
SECTION: Defrost the collector coil
15. To turn off Defrost: Go to Home screen, press DEFROST button, press STOP.
The defrost function will turn off automatically if the collector temperature
reaches +60°C or if defrost has been running for 2 hours.
SECTION: Defrost the collector coil
16. If rapid defrost is desired, pour warm water over the collector coil. Do not
allow the liquid to enter the vacuum port on the upper rear wall of the chamber.
SECTION: Defrost the collector coil
17. Place the drain hose in a suitable container to collect the condensate from the
collector chamber. Insert the quick connect drain fitting into the quick connect
drain coupling located on the left hand side of the unit.
SECTION: Defrost the collector coil
18. Flush the collector chamber with water and wipe chamber dry
SECTION: Defrost the collector coil
19. Disconnect the quick connect drain fitting from the quick connect drain coupling 
SECTION: Export data log file
20. Data Log Files can be copied (exported) to a USB flash drive via the USB port on
the left side of the Freeze Dryer. The file will be exported as a “comma separated
values” file (.csv file extension), which can be easily opened with a spreadsheet
application program for data analysis and graphing. To export a file:
SECTION: Export data log file
20.1.  Insert USB flash drive into the Freeze Dryer USB port --> Go to Data Logging screen --> Select the file that you want to export by pressing the Data Log File name --> Press the Export button
SECTION: Turn on the lyophilizer
6. Go to the Home screen, for the auto-start procedure click on AUTO and then press START. 
The collector starts cooling down, and once temperature reaches -40 C, the VACCUM pump will start.
Wait until temperature reaches -80 C temperature,  and pressure reaches 0.001 mbar.
Depending on sample type these parameters should be adjusted, refer to User Manual.
SECTION: Checklist before starting - from User Manual
1. Remove the accessory drying chamber or manifold from the collector chamber
lid and using a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel, wipe the port gasket(s) and
sealing surfaces of the drying chamber/manifold and collector chamber lid to
remove any dirt or contaminants that could cause a vacuum leak.
SECTION: Checklist before starting - from User Manual
2. Ensure that the collector chamber and drain line are free of water. Place the
drain hose in a suitable container to collect the condensate from the collector
chamber. Insert the quick connect drain fitting into the quick connect drain
coupling located on the left side of the Freeze Dryer. Note: Freeze
Dryer (Collector or Vacuum) will not start if moisture is detected in the
drain line.
SECTION: Checklist before starting - from User Manual
3. After completely draining the system, disconnect the quick connect drain
fitting from the quick connect drain coupling.
SECTION: Checklist before starting - from User Manual
4. Wipe the interior of the collector chamber with a soft cloth or paper towel to
remove any remaining moisture. Reinstall the drying chamber or manifold on the collector chamber lid. Note: Vacuum grease is NOT required on the drying or collector chamber lid gasket to obtain a proper vacuum seal.
SECTION: Checklist before starting - from User Manual
5. Check that each sample valve is closed or in the “vent” position.