VirTis General Purpose Freeze Dryer (GPFD)

With widely varied applications that are typically troublesome — including drying archaeological artifacts and recovering water-damaged archival materials to preparing museum specimens of plants and animals — the VirTis General Purpose Freeze Dryer (GPFD) leaves damaging restoration processes in the past.

Ideal for bulky products where low energy input and long freeze-drying cycles are required, our GPFD also provides extra sample capacity for applications with very low moisture products. And, with adjustable condenser refrigeration packages, you can maximize your results while minimizing energy output for an environmentally friendly approach to freeze-drying.

Features & Benefits

Size doesn’t matter — drying large items is no problem; remove sublimated ice as you go with our mid-cycle defrost option
Easy progress monitoring — clear acrylic chamber doors allow you to visualize the freeze-drying process, every step of the way
Process large batches with ease — single run condenser capacities of 25 L or 35 L
Convenient — easy installation with a free-standing and mobile design that means you can set up anywhere
Compatible with a variety of product solvents — temperatures down to -85 ºC and up to 60 °C
Reduced turn-around time — smooth-wall condenser enables fast defrost and ice removal, alleviating the vapor port ice blockages that are common in traditional systems
Built-in process control — the Intellitronics™ controller offers 16 programmable recipes with full temperature, setpoint, and vacuum visibility

Applications

Specifications

Condenser Capacity

25 or 35 L
Max. Ice Condensing Capacity

12 L or 20 L (in 24 hrs)
Condenser Temperature (50/60 Hz)

-50 °C / -53 °C or -82 ºC / -85 °C
Chamber Temperature (with heat)

-29 ºC to 60 ºC
Chamber Temperature (without heat)

-29 ºC to 0 ºC
Number of Shelves

5
Dimensions (W x D x H)

860 x 1400 x 2010 mm
Weight

432 kg

Resources

Industries

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the GPFD ensure repeatable results?

Controlled radiant temperature and a rigid ice matrix maintain product integrity throughout the cycle, and the Intellitronics controller supports precise results runs through Manual and Recipe Mode operation, 16 programmable recipes, digital temperature/setpoint display, mid-cycle defrost (with the heat/isolation valve option), and a complete set of process alarms.

What process controls does the GPFD offer?

The GPFD is equipped with the Intellitronics controller, which is PLC-based with a touchscreen, Automatic and Manual modes, and 16 programmable recipes (10 thermal treatment steps and 12 drying steps per the standard configuration). The controller displays temperatures and setpoints digitally, controls chamber temperature from -29 °C to 0 °C (or up to 60 °C with the optional programmable heat), reads vacuum in mTorr, µbar, or Pa, and has a full set of process alarms.

Can the GPFD handle a variety of applications?

Absolutely! The GPFD is designed for a range of very low-moisture, aqueous-only applications, including but not limited to:

Freeze-Dried Flowers & Botanicals
Taxidermy
Water-Damaged Document & Book Restoration
Biological Specimens (such as organs and blood samples)

What kind of training is available for operators?

We offer Remote Freeze-Drying Training and Hands-On Training Opportunities to ensure operators can effectively and sustainably utilize the GPFD. These programs help maximize cycle efficiency and optimize system performance.