Trends in freeze-drying equipment and materials.

The above discussion outlines some trends seen in the development of equipment for freeze-drying of various biological-like products. It has been pointed out that many similarities in equipment now exist. There are still areas in which a consensus on best design has not been reached and in these areas the user is offered some clear choices. Various changes have been introduced in recent years into freeze-drying equipment principally in an effort to increase reliability and improve the quality of the product produced. It is probable as more products are freeze-dried (and particularly as these products become more cost-sensitive) that manufacturers will also require that greater performance-capability be built into their equipment. This may perhaps translate into requirements for carrying high peak-vapor-rates and for automatic control in an effort to reduce drying cycles and increase throughput in a given machine.