Thermo Scientific ModulyoD, Instruction Manual

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Operation step Refer to Section
Prepare the ModulyoD 4.3
Fit the sample container and
other accessory
4.4
Pre-Cool the ModulyoD 4.5
Drying 4.6
Shut down 4.7
Table 4 — Sequence of operation
19
WARNING: If you intend to freeze dry products containing sodium azide, be
sure that your vacuum pump and pipeline are suitable for freeze drying these
products. If they are not suitable, there is a severe risk of explosion.
Sodium azide is sometimes used as a stabilizing agent in freeze drying processes.
Sodium azide is toxic and, when dry, is highly explosive.
If you freeze dry a product containing sodium azide, a chemical reaction can occur in
the presence of heavy metals such as copper, lead, zinc, and cadmium. The result of
this reaction is the formation of metallic azides, which are highly unstable and explo-
sive.
The ModulyoD contains no heavy metals and is suitable for freeze drying products con-
taining sodium azide. The Thermo
Electron L yoPump
TM
high vacuum pumps are also
suitable for this purpose.
If you do not use a Thermo Electron pump, your vacuum pump and vacuum pipeline may
not be suitable for freeze drying products containing sodium azide. Check with your
vacuum pump manufacturer to determine its suitability if you intend to freeze dry prod-
ucts containing sodium azide.
4.0 OPERATION
4.1 SAFETY
Operation of the ModulyoD can involve a number of different steps, as shown in Table
4 below:
4.2 SEQUENCE OF OPERATION
Before you freeze dry sample, always prepare the ModulyoD as described in Sec-
tion 4.3. Always dry the sample and shut down the ModulyoD as described in
Sections 4.6 and 4.7.
The order in which the remaining steps are carried out depends on the type of prod-
uct container or other accessory used and the type of sample to be freeze dried. In
some circumstances you will need to pre-cool the ModulyoD with the accessory
flange open to the atmosphere; in other circumstances you will need to fit the sam-
ple container, pre-cool the ModulyoD and then load the sample.
If the correct sequence of operations to follow is not clear, refer to the instruction
manual supplied with the sample container or other freeze drying accessory.