CiK Solutions offer a comprehensive range of freeze dryers, including laboratory bench-top units and pilot systems for both R&D and small production batches.
All models of our Kambic freeze dryer series are very easy to use, extremely reliable and very durable.
Vacuum Freeze Dryers for Research and Development
CiK Solutions’ Kambic laboratory freeze dryers provide a sophisticated solution to meet the requirements of freeze-drying during the research and development phases in increasingly demanding research and development centres in industry and science. All Kambic laboratory and pilot freeze dryers are designed and manufactured according to the strictest international standards.
Freeze drying - Lyophilization
Freeze-drying (also called lyophilization, drying by sublimation or cryodesiccation) is widely used in both the pharmaceutical and food industries, but there are also a variety of applications for other industries and sectors. The laboratory freeze dryers can be used for the preservation of bacteria and viruses, for the freeze-drying of vegetables and fruits (strawberries, figs, beans ....), milk products (such as milk, starter cultures, yoghurt, probiotics, ice cream, ....) fish and meat, but also for horticulture and general research.
Aside from freeze dryers we also offer Vacuum dryers und Warming ovens.
Freeze Dryers for Laboratory Use - LIO5
Kambic laboratory freeze dryers for research and development provide a sophisticated solution for the preservation of bacteria and viruses, the drying of fruits and vegetables, animal products and for the development of dairy products.These Kambic freeze dryers have a condenser capacity of up to 5 kg and are available with -55 °C condenser temperature for aqueous solutions and -100 °C for low freezing point solvents.
Features of the laboratory freeze dryers
- Vacuum release and break valve
- Vacuum pump with oil mist filter
- Vacuum gauge for pressure monitoring and control
- Vacuum control for highest performance (optional)
- Touch screen for display and control
- RS-232, USB or Ethernet ports
Models Laboratory Freeze Dryers
Both laboratory freeze dryer models LIO-5P and LIO-5 PLT have a flat flange for easy mounting of accessories.
| LIO-5P | LIO-5 PLT | |
| Ice condenser temperature | -55 °C | -100 °C |
| Condensing capacity (ice capacity) | 2,3 kg over 24 h 5 kg over total |
2,3 kg over 24 h 5 kg over total |
| Temperature measurement range Placement Area | -120 °C to +100 °C | -120 °C to +100 °C |
| Temperature stability | 0.1 °C | 0.1 °C |
| Condensing area | 0.17 m² | 0.17 m² |
| Pressure measurement range | 0.001 to 100 mbar |
0.001 to 100 mbar |
| Condenser volume | 7.2 Liters | 7.2 Liters |
| Wattage | 350 W | 800 W |
| External dimensions | 470 x 353 x 622 mm | 470 x 650 x 613mm |
| Internal dimensions | 200 x 200 x 208 mm | 300 x 275 x 307 mm |
8-port manifold for freeze-drying from glass flasks
Transparent cylinder with 6 trays of Ø 250 mm
Transparent cylinder with 2 temperature-controlled trays
Transparent cylinder with 4 sealable trays with guards of Ø 200 mm
Freeze Dryers for Pilot Use - LIOSMART 8/5P
The Kambic Liosmart 8/5P is a freeze dryer designed for pilot freeze drying with a condenser temperature of -55 °C. Ex-factory, the freeze dryer is fitted with two shelves, each with 0.10 m² area and an integrated vacuum pump.In order to customize the pilot freeze dryer to individual needs, the user can find an optimal solution by selecting from 50 processes with up to 50 segments.
- Cooling and heating control for placement areas
- Transparent viewing window for observation of materials and the condenser
- Single refrigerant compressor
- Integrated dry vacuum pump with vacuum control
- Closure system for vials
- LCD display with remote control for operation and configuration
| LIOSMART 8/5P | |
| Condenser volume | 7.2 Liters |
| Condensing capacity (ice capacity) | 24 kg over 24 h |
| Ice condenser temperature | -55 °C |
| Condensing area | 2 x 0.09 m² = 0.18 m² |
| Temperature range placement area | -40 °C to +60 °C |
| Temperature uniformity | 0.5 °C to 1.2 °C |
| Temperature stability | 0.1 °C |
| Wattage | 3200 W |
| External dimensions | 750 x 750 x 1511 mm |
| Internal dimensions | 400 x 380 x 400 mm |
Renowned customers trust Kambic laboratory solutions
How does a Freeze Dryer work?
Freeze dryer vs. Lyophilizer
Freeze dryer and lyophilizer are terms for the same devices. A freeze dryer performs dehydration, which preserves perishable materials, extends shelf life and optimizes the material for shipment. A freeze dryer is designed to freeze the material, then reduce the pressure and add heat so that the frozen water in the material can sublimate.The three operational phases of a freeze dryer
A freeze dryer operates in three phases, the first and most critical being the freezing phase. Optimal freeze-drying can reduce drying times by 30%.Freezing phase
Freeze dryers use various methods to freeze the product. Freezing can be performed in a freezer, a cooling bath (tray freezer) or on a shelf in a freeze dryer. The freeze dryer cools the material below its triple point to ensure that it does not thaw but sublimate. This preserves the physical shape of the material.
A freeze dryer dries most easily when large ice crystals are present, that can be generated by slow freezing or heat treatment. However, if the crystals of biological materials are too large, they can break the cell walls, resulting in less than ideal freeze-drying results. To prevent this, the freezing is done quickly. For materials prone to precipitation, heat treatment may be applied. This process involves rapid freezing and raising the product temperature to allow the crystals to grow.
The second phase of drying with a freeze dryer is primary drying (sublimation), which lowers the pressure and adds heat to the material so that the water can sublimate. The vacuum of the freeze dryer accelerates the sublimation. The refrigeration condenser of the freeze dryer provides a surface on which the water vapour can settle and solidify.
A freeze dryer dries most easily when large ice crystals are present, that can be generated by slow freezing or heat treatment. However, if the crystals of biological materials are too large, they can break the cell walls, resulting in less than ideal freeze-drying results. To prevent this, the freezing is done quickly. For materials prone to precipitation, heat treatment may be applied. This process involves rapid freezing and raising the product temperature to allow the crystals to grow.
Primary drying (sublimation) phase
The second phase of drying with a freeze dryer is primary drying (sublimation), which lowers the pressure and adds heat to the material so that the water can sublimate. The vacuum of the freeze dryer accelerates the sublimation. The refrigeration condenser of the freeze dryer provides a surface on which the water vapour can settle and solidify.
Secondary drying (adsorption) phase
The final phase of a freeze dryer is post-drying (adsorption), which removes the ionic-bonded water molecules. Increasing the temperature above the temperature in the primary drying phase breaks up the bonds between the material and the water molecules. Freeze-dried materials retain a porous structure. After the freeze dryer completes its process, the vacuum can be interrupted with an inert gas before the material is sealed in. Most materials can be dried to 1-5% residual moisture.Problems to avoid when using a freeze dryer
- Excessive heating of the product can cause the product to melt back or collapse.
- Overloading of the condenser, where too much steam strikes the condenser.
- Too much steam generation
- Placement area footprint too large
- Condenser area too small
- Cooling capacity too low
- Steam obstruction - the steam is generated at a rate faster than it can pass through the vapour opening, the opening between the product chamber and the condenser, resulting in an increase in chamber pressure.