* * * INSIGHT * * *

New Life for Old Freeze Dryers and their Associated Equipment

By

Thomas A. Jennings, Ph.D.

When one purchases a new car,  they do so with the general realization that there will come a time when the lease will expire or there will be a need to replace the car. Such a time could be years later but time never stops and there comes a day when the car must be returned or perhaps traded in for a new model.

Yet it is my impression that when one obtains a freeze dryer such expectations are not taken into account. The mere thought of going through the purchasing process (see last INSIGHT), the inspection qualification (IQ) (see INSIGHTs  Vol. 2 No. 11 and Vol. 3 No. 1), the operational qualification (OQ) ( see INSIGHTs  Vol. 3 No. 3, Vol. 3 No. 5 and Vol. 3 No. 7) is arduous enough to discourage even the most courageous of hearts. But none the less, advances in dryer design and  control systems and the persistent battle to maintain the dryer operating within its original set of specifications soon gives way to making that decision to either have the dryer refurbished or perhaps to abandon it to some warehouse. When first placed in the warehouse or pushed to some corner in a laboratory, the abandoned dryer and its associated equipment will still have significant monetary value. But time will have its effect and the dryer will deteriorate from the lack of use and maintenance. As a result the value of the dryer will decline. It is therefore the objective of this INSIGHT to prevent the above from happening and to give that tired old dryer new life and allow it to perform in a manner that will be beneficial to others..

Volume 5 No. 10                                                                     October 2002

4 Pages          1 References           0 Figures

[How to obtain a complete copy this INSIGHT]  [Return to Phase Home Page]