Freeze drying apparatus

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:874098

Coppa, Nicholas V ^[1]; Stewart, Paul ^[2]; Renzi, Ernesto ^[2]

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1. Malvern, PA
2. Youngstown, NY

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for freeze drying in which a solution, which can be a radioactive salt dissolved within an acid, is frozen into a solid on vertical plates provided within a freeze drying chamber. The solid is sublimated into vapor and condensed in a cold condenser positioned above the freeze drying chamber and connected thereto by a conduit. The vertical positioning of the cold condenser relative to the freeze dryer helps to help prevent substances such as radioactive materials separated from the solution from contaminating the cold condenser. Additionally, the system can be charged with an inert gas to produce a down rush of gas into the freeze drying chamber to also help prevent such substances from contaminating the cold condenser.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc. (Murray Hill, NJ)
• Patent Number(s): US 6311409
• OSTI ID: 874098
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

freeze
drying
apparatus
provides
methods
solution
radioactive
salt
dissolved
acid
frozen
solid
vertical
plates
provided
chamber
sublimated
vapor
condensed
cold
condenser
positioned
connected
conduit
positioning
dryer
helps
help
prevent
substances
materials
separated
contaminating
additionally
charged
inert
gas
produce
rush
inert gas
vertical position
salt dissolved
drying apparatus
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