2017 Freeze Dryer User Survey Results

Learn readers’ key applications and more from our latest freeze dryer product survey results.

| 2 min read

Freeze dryers find use in a variety of research and manufacturing environments and are commonly used for material storage, food and pharmaceutical processing, as well as for less common applications such as taxidermy and document recovery. With a wide variety of options available, there is much to consider when purchasing a new freeze dryer.

Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Freeze Dryer

  1. What solvents are you using? A temperature differential between the sample’s eutectic temperature and collector temperature of 15–20 degrees is required. If solvents such as acetonitrile are used, a cascade freeze dryer is required.
  2. How much sample in liters will you run? When choosing a freeze dryer, vendors recommend loading 1/2 of the listed capacity. For example, a 6L freeze dryer will hold 3L during the run.
  3. Do you want to freeze dry in flasks, tubes, or bulk? Many drying accessories are available. On a manifold or drying chamber, flasks can be placed on each port. Test tubes and serum vials can be placed inside of the flasks for multiple samples per container. If samples are bulk, a tray dryer would be a good choice.
  4. Do you need to stopper under vacuum? Accessories can allow you to stopper under vacuum or nitrogen without using compressed gas.
  5. Is this a shared freeze dryer? A hybrid pump is recommended to prevent damage to the pump.

Types of freeze dryers used by survey respondents:

Manifold Console40%
Shelf Benchtop19%
Non-Sterile Production16%
Manifold Benchtop13%
Dry Ice Benchtop11%
Shelf Console11%
Sterile Production8%
Other3%

Freeze dryer applications as reported by survey respondents:

Pharmaceuticals38%
Material stabilization and/or storage35%
Food processing19%
Starters and cultures16%
Nutraceuticals13%
Document Recovery3%
Other24%

Nearly 52% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new freeze dryer. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:

Replacement of an aging system
35%
Addition to existing systems
29%
First time purchase
24%
Setting up a new lab
12%

Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a freeze dryer:

Ease of use83%
Product performance for intended application83%
Service and support74%
Reliability under high performance71%
Low maintenance/operating costs68%
Accurate vacuum control63%
Price60%
Warranty57%
Ease of installation54%
Energy Efficiency52%

For more information on freeze dryers, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/freeze-dryers

See the most current survey results here

About the Author

  • Erica Tennenhouse, PhD

    Erica Tennenhouse, PhD, is the managing editor of Clinical Lab Manager.

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