Cleaning Of Accessories; Maintenance Of The Aeration Valve And The Drain Valve; Disinfection Of Drying Chamber, Lid And Accessories - Fisher ALPHA 1-2 LDplus Operating Manual

7.7.2.

Cleaning of Accessories

7.7.3.

Maintenance of the Aeration Valve and the Drain Valve

7.7.4.

Disinfection of Drying Chamber, Lid and Accessories

Operating Manual Freeze Dryer ALPHA 1-2 LDplus
When looking after accessories special safety measures must be
considered as these are measures to ensure operational safety and
reliability.
Chemical reactions as well as stress corrosion cracking (combination
of changing pressure and chemical reaction) can affect or destroy the
structure of the metals and plastic parts. Hardly detectable cracks on
the surface expand and weaken the material without visible signs.
When visible damage of the surface, a crack, a mark or any other
change, as well as corrosion is detected, the part in question (shelf,
vessel, drying chamber etc.) must be replaced immediately for safety
reasons.
Fans, lid seal, vessels, racks, drying chamber and shelves must be
cleaned regularly in order to avoid damage.
Cleaning of accessories should be carried out away from the freeze
dryer once a week or preferably after every use.
If there is the risk of toxic, radioactive or
pathogenic contamination, special safety
measures must be considered and adhered to.
Aluminium accessories are particularly subject to corrosion. A neutral
agent with a pH-value between 6 and 8 should be used for such parts.
Alkaline agents (pH > 8) must be avoided. Thus life time is increased
and corrosion is reduced considerably.
Careful maintenance through the user increases life time and avoids
premature failure of accessories. Damage caused by insufficient care
does not constitute a warranty claim.
Special attention must be paid to the aeration valve and the drain
valve. If residues from previous drying processes deposit on them,
there is the risk of faulty operation of the freeze dryer. Therefore, take
care that no product or other residues will get into the pipe to the
aeration valve and the drain valve.
All usual disinfectants like e. g. INCIDUR, Melisiptol, Sagrotan,
Buraton or Terralin (available at laboratory retail suppliers) can be
used.
NOTE! Check compatibility with lid and drying chamber; also see
enclosure "Chemical behaviour PLEXIGLAS® (acrylic glass).
The freeze dryers and the accessories consist of different materials. A
possible incompatibility must be considered. For autoclaving the
temperature stability of the individual material must be checked.
Maintenance • 59